Buying Guide – 5 Mechanical Marvels from Baselworld 2018

On the contrary of most of the other buying guides we’ve published, the present one is more of a “wish list” or a “dream list” rather than a proper guide – or consider it a guide for those who already have everything they need and more. Nothing here is rational, it’s all about passion, ingenuity, creativity and impressive mechanics. From the thinnest automatic watch ever created to a signing automaton or an atomic sympathique clock, here the 5 most impressive mechanical creations we’ve seen at Baselworld 2018.

7 years ago

Baselworld 2018 – Jaquet Droz Grande Second Tribute – Yellow Gold and Ivory Enamel

We already knew that Baselworld 2018 was about celebration. Indeed, Jaquet Droz celebrates its 280th anniversary this year, which started with a first tribute watch, the Grande Seconde Moon Black Enamel. And while the brand looks at the future with an impressively modern Skeleton Grande Seconde watch, they are also doing what it is known for: elegant, restrained watches, such as this new limited edition, the yellow gold/ivory enamel Jaquet Droz Grande Second Tribute.

7 years ago

Baselworld 2018 – Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Skelet-One – Reimagining a Classic

There is something special about Jaquet Droz. The singularity of the brand lies in a distinctive perception of elegance, embodied by the iconic Grande Seconde display. Inspired by a pocket watch created by Pierre Jaquet Droz in 1784, its artful simplicity feels understated, sophisticated and elegant. And for Baselworld 2018, the brand adds a strong modern note to its classic, with the new Grande Seconde Skelet-One.

7 years ago

Pre-Baselworld 2018 – Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Moon Black Enamel

As part of their Baselworld 2017 collection, Jaquet Droz introduced a watch that we reviewed here and that I personally loved and considered as one of the most achieved pieces in the signature “Grande Seconde” collection. Based on the iconic 8-shaped dial, the addition of the date and the moon indication gave the watch a lovely complicated, yet balanced design. As a preview of the upcoming Basel fair, a new version is coming, in the name of the Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Moon Black Enamel.

7 years ago

Introducing – Jaquet Droz Tropical Bird Repeater, Sound and Motion from Métiers d’Art

For those who know their watch history, it is no secret that the singing bird has been a beloved creature adorning clocks, music boxes, snuffboxes and other objects of art for centuries. However, for years now, Jaquet Droz has been bringing the saga of the singing bird to wristwatches in alluring versions that feature sculpted birds as automatons on dials of musical watches. Now the brand brings the concept to all new heights with the unveiling of the Jaquet Droz Tropical Bird Repeater.

7 years ago

Buying Guide – The Best Dress Watches of 2017 to Prepare the Holiday Season – Part 1

The holiday season is fast approaching, which means it’s nearly time to tackle your gift list (including some to give yourself) and for us to plan our gift guides. We’ll start our series by trying to help to make dressing up easier, so we’ve picked 13 dress watches of 2017 with choices to suit every pocket and taste. And because that would be a lot for one single article, here is part one, with 7 watches priced under CHF / EUR 20,000.

7 years ago

Buying Guide – 6 Dual-Time Watches Launched in 2017 for Modern Travellers

The vast majority of people are comfortable with watches which simply display hours and minutes, but for globetrotters, frequent travellers and those doing business around the world, a dual-time (or so-called GMT in certain cases) watch is highly practical and purposeful for their daily travelling needs. We have picked 6 GMT watches of 2017, with choices to suit every pocket and taste.

7 years ago

Introducing – The Updated Sporty Jaquet Droz Collection, the Grande Seconde SW

When you think Jaquet Droz, you usually have in mind the image of a sleek and elegant watch, characterized by the 8-shaped display of the dial. Most of the collections are on the dressy side, however, it is hard for a mainstream brand to leave apart opportunities such as the sports-watch market. But… How to mix the refined and signature display of Jaquet Droz with a sporty and bold attire? This is the hard task of the Grande Seconde SW collection, which has just been slightly redesigned, with new dials, two-tone versions and metal bracelet options.

7 years ago

Classic with a Twist – The new 39mm Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Off-Centered

A classic with a twist… Much to our satisfaction, we have been seeing smaller watches re-emerge over the past few years. Case in point, the Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde off-centered is now available with a 39mm case, in place of the usual 43mm versions, maybe too large to be called dress watches. Things change. We go hands on with this chic timepiece.

8 years ago

Jaquet-Droz unveils new enameling paillonné collection – hands-on with live pics and pricing

On a mission to perpetuate rare artistic crafts, Métiers d’art and various sorts of enameling are familiar themes at Jaquet Droz. It has become a tradition for the brand to unveil exquisite paillonné enamel limited editions every year. This year, these are rendered in blue and red, one of the most delicate colors to work with. Paillonné enameling is an 18th century technique that was used by Pierre Jaquet-Droz himself. The new models are bringing together historic ‘paillons’ (tiny motifs or paillettes made from gold leaf) and modern elements.

8 years ago