By using an old artistic technique of its founder to create one-of-a-kind masterpiece for the Only Watch 2011 charity auction, Jaquet Droz recalled the great brand’s tradition. The watchmaker from La Chaux-de-Fonds has chosen a miniature painting of the Monaco’s most famous landscapes to be a highlight of the beautiful Petite Heure Minute Monaco timepiece.
As the host of the Only Watch 2011 auction, Monacois the most commonly used motif by 40 brands that have donated their unique watches, in order to help a research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy (read the reviews of Girard-Perregaux ww.tc Only Watch, Romaine Jerome Rock the Rock DNA, Tag Heuer Monaco Mikrograph…).
On its ivory Grand Feu enameled dial, Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Monaco watch presents a miniature painting of theNewHarborand the Rock of Monaco. Above this beautiful hand-painted piece of art, there is a small sub-dial, displaying accurate time. It is nicely designed, in the old-fashion style, with Roman numerals indicating hours, and the minute track, designed in the railroad style. Finally, it is adorned with 18-karat red gold hands.
The case is made of 18-karat red gold, with the diameter of around 43 mm. A nicely polished bezel emphasizes the dial and looks like a frame of the painting. Both sides of the case are covered with sapphire crystals.
Powered by a Mechanical Masterpiece
Through the transparent caseback, the owner can enjoy another masterpiece, the Caliber 2653.4 automatic movement. This great mechanism has two barrels, providing 68 hours of power-reserve. It oscillates at the frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and comprises 28 jewels, as well as a 22-karat white gold oscillating mass with a sunray decoration and the Jaquet Droz’ secret signature, both the acts of a master engraver. It also features a straight line lever escapement, a monometallic balance adjusted to five positions, a shock absorber and a self-compensating flat balance spring.
Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Monaco is a classic looking watch, with a highly sophisticated style that will definitely attract the attention in every situation. It is available with a rolled-edge, brown alligator strap that is also made by hand. It incorporates an 18-karat red gold ardillon buckle. The estimated price for this timepiece goes from 30,000 to 40,000 euros.
I like Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Relief Dragon. Precisely engraved in gold and moenutd on the dial. The gold dragon is showed performing arts an aquatic maneuver with great majesty. Ite28099s seems to be surfacing from a sea of black mother-of-pearl, sculpted to bring out the vital energy of each wave.