As part of its 280th anniversary celebrations, Swiss watch maker Jaquet Droz introduces the Grande Seconde Skelet-One, which marks a true stylistic turning point in the brand’s history.
The Grande Seconde incarnates the essence of Jaquet Droz watchmaking art. While the brand has oft varied its design, for the first time it proposes a sapphire dial integrated within a skeleton composition.
Jaquet Droz created the Grande Seconde Skelet-One with an objective to let light shine to the deepest reaches of the Grande Seconde, all while preserving the figure”8” shape that is its aesthetic signature. Jaquet Droz has endowed the Grande Seconde Skelet-One with exclusive craftsmanship, maintaining the uncluttered character of the dial that is distinguished by the legendary hours and minutes with Roman numerals at 12 o’clock, intertwined with the large seconds counter with Arabic numerals at 6 o’clock, playing with the decorated surfaces as much as empty spaces. This new interpretation in total transparency – first-ever by Jaquet Droz – accords ample breathing space to the time indications. Jaquet Droz has kept only the bridges showing, which structure the piece’s movement.
Jaquet Droz’s meticulous craftsmanship is effortlessly displayed in the detailing of the sapphire dial, on which the large seconds hand turns, perfectly complementing the skeleton movement, constructed in successive layers, themselves visible from the side. Eliminating the casing circle has enhanced the dynamic look by allowing a more open composition.
At 12 o’clock, the hours and minutes turn around a sapphire hour ring, set on a base of gold. The ensemble is held together by five indexed screws, oriented in a chosen direction. This procedure was derived from an existing armory system and adapted by the brand’s technical teams. The oscillating weight in gold has also been openworked allowing the light to diffuse freely into the heart of the movement. This magnificent creation is a sophisticated interplay of silicon double barrel, balance spring and pallet lugs, that features a hand-assembled caliber 2663 SQ (squelette).This eye-catching timepiece infused with a rare intensity, is reserved for a select few with a diameter of 41 mm, available in three interpretations: Red Gold, White Gold and Ceramic.