The Nicolas G. Hayek Center, located at the heart of Ginza, Japan’s iconic luxury shopping area, welcomed for the first time the Tropical Bird Repeater during a special event. Over 70 local journalists and VIP clients had the chance to discover the new timepiece from the Automata collection through a presentation done by Mr. Marc Aellen, Vice President and Head of International Sales at Jaquet Droz.
Part of the line-up of exceptional automata presented since 2012, Jaquet Droz launched a new model inspired by a tropical landscape enhanced by the hand of engravers and miniature painters from the Ateliers d’Art. The dial of the timepiece stages seven animations, including a hummingbird that can flap its wings at the incredible speed of 40 times a second, a world premiere. This feat is accompanied by a grande complication in the form of a minute repeater.
During the event, the guests also enjoyed a special exhibition focusing on the three main collections of the brand: The Grande Seconde, Ateliers d'Art, and the Automaton. Moreover, this special night has been animated by an artist from the Ateliers d’Art of La Chaux-de-Fonds who has done a unique demonstration of miniature painting on the core model. A traditional live music performance from Southeast Asia and a dancing show on the theme of bird of Paradise flower distracted the gathering.
“Some watches tell time, some tell a story”
A warmed up stage, a drum kit, a few guitars and a harmonica: “It’s only rock’n’roll!” Today, Jaquet Droz unveils the first out of the 23 unique timepieces to retrace the world of the Rolling Stones through motion. Beside the arm of a record player that hovers over a platinum album replica (the power reserve), a scene depicts their signature instruments in miniature paintings and gold thread. The external disc rotates up to 8 consecutive times for 30 seconds and is adorned with the albums that the collector will choose for his unique timepiece. At 9 o'clock, the iconic tongue beats rhythmically, from left to right and from top to bottom. “And I like it!”
After three years of work, Jaquet Droz and John Howe have developed an Art Watch dedicated to emotion, wonder and fantasy. Draped in gold and rare stones, their dragon has a record 9 distinct animations. Inside a 43 mm case, the piece is entirely handmade and can be customized almost without limit by the client. Thanks to a Studio in the heart of the Jaquet Droz head quarter, clients will be offered an immersive phygital experience that will allow them to witness the live creation of their timepieces. There is no series to be announced, only unique pieces.
The “Effinger” clock dated from 1783 and signed Jaquet-Droz, has been sold at CHF 256,000.-, which is more than three times the starting bid of CHF 70,000.-, during the Koller auction on March the 31st 2022.