While the Jaquet Droz name rose to prominence as a maker of automatons, from the Age of Enlightenment it was also associated with refined pocket watches. Acquired in 2000, the brand reappeared with the 2002 launch of the Grande Seconde Email, directly inspired by a model produced circa 1785. The historical style is as powerful as ever and the contemporary wristwatch bears eloquent testimony to its enduring nature. Housed in a handsomely curved round case featuring a large dial opening, the iconic watch displays the hours and minutes at 12 o’clock, on a circle smaller than that of the seconds at 6 o’clock. In the 18th century, this configuration represented a new way of approaching time, in keeping with the scientific spirit of the age: Jaquet Droz visually highlighted precision by giving pride of place to the large seconds subdial. The resulting legibility went hand in hand with a highly symbolic design, embodied by the figure 8. The two counters trace the sign of infinity or eternity, while subtly playing with Roman and Arabic numerals, just as before. The modern approach incorporates a much purer hand design. Ultimately, the Grande Seconde is a remarkably understated watch whose elegance is further heightened by exceptional dials. Great classics from the brand and conveying their own proud history, contemporary Grand Feu enamel dials are crafted by artisans who jealously safeguard the secrets of their craft. They achieve a unique texture and colour on models that will remain untouched by time, as beautiful and radiant as ever. The Grande Seconde Email, which illustrates the renaissance of Jaquet Droz, features the signature ivory-coloured dial, a delicate shade lending an inimitably soft touch to the watch. Alongside variations of sizes, decors and materials, notably through exceptional natural stone dials, the Grande Seconde collection has been progressively enriched with complications such as a minute repeater, tourbillon, pointer-type date, deadbeat seconds, dual-time and moon phases, all beautifully incorporated into the “figure 8” aesthetic. Some models are produced in Numerus Clausus limited editions of (what else but) 8, 28 or 88 pieces. In 2018 Jaquet Droz revealed a modern take on its icon with the Grande Seconde Skelet-One, a skeletonised version in red gold for the 280th anniversary. This new stylistic direction was confirmed by a ceramic version then, in 2021, the Skelet-One Tourbillon.

• Inspired by a pocket watch produced circa 1785 • Grand Feu enamel crafted according to a secret formula