JAQUET DROZ - YEAR OF THE HORSE

Jaquet Droz is said to be the very first watchmaker to walk-through the gates of the Forbidden City.

So, there should be no surprise that the watchmaker decided to celebrate the Year of the Horse with more than one timepiece. The House of Jaquet Droz has created three exclusive limited edition models with each model limited to 88 pieces. These mini pieces of art are a part of Ateliers d’Art series and as well of the Petite Heure Minute series. On Petite Heure Minute collection an off-center sub-dial shows hours and minutes. Master craftsmen at Jaquet Droz have used complex decorative techniques of engraving, painting and Grand Feu enamel in creating the dials.

Available in three different sizes with 39 mm the smallest. The dial on Petite Heure Minute 39 mm features two Arab thoroughbred horses in full gallop painted on an ivory enamel dial. As we all know Arabian horses are considered the most beautiful in the world. One black and one white, horses are depicted galloping on a field of yellow grass with mountains on the background. It features an automatic Jaquet Droz Caliber 2653 movement. Price $30,500.

The dial on the medium sized Petite Heure Minute 41 mm portrays a horse standing on its hind legs with hand-engraved and patinated Great Wall of China as its background. The formidable horse protecting the Great Wall is also hand-engraved and made of 18 karat gold. Powered by Jaquet Droz Caliber 2653, it has a 22 karat oscillating weight decorated with the Great Wall and the two-star signature of Jaquet Droz on the back. The double barreled movement provides a 68-hour power reserve. Price $62,000.

Third and largest of the watches, the Petite Heure Minute 43 mm is also powered by the Jaquet Droz Caliber 2653. It features a wild sculptural mustang horse from the American Northwest in red gold, engraved in bas-relief on the black Grand Feu enameled dial. Using the champlevé technique, the movement of horse’s mane and the tail are highlighted; both are also filled with black Grand Feu enamel. This is the first time Jaquet Droz has ever used the champlevé technique on their watches. Price $57,800.

All three models feature either the horse’s head or the Great Wall decoration on the back of the white gold oscillating weight, visible through the crystal sapphire case-back. The Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Horses models have 18 karat rose gold cases and available on a brown or black alligator leather strap.

Author: Miodrag Arula

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