The "Grande Seconde Skelet-One" captures light deep within the timepiece | JAQUET DROZ

JAQUET DROZ

Reimagined with a New Artistic Interpretation
The "Grande Seconde Skelet-One"

In 2018, JAQUET DROZ, the Swiss ultra-luxury mechanical watch brand celebrating its 280th anniversary, unveiled the "Grande Seconde Skelet-One," a skeletonized model that inherits the brand's iconic "8" motif and incorporates an artistic interpretation.

Text by OZAKI Sayaka

JAQUET DROZ's First Skeleton Model, Commemorating its 280th Anniversary

The "Grande Seconde," JAQUET DROZ's signature collection, draws inspiration from a pocket watch created by founder Pierre-Jaquet Droz in 1784. While the brand has evolved its dials numerous times, in 2018, to commemorate its 280th anniversary, it introduced the "Grande Seconde Skelet-One," featuring a skeletonized movement and a sapphire dial.

The hallmark of this new model lies in its design, which preserves the elegant "8" motif symbolic of the "Grande Seconde" while allowing light to penetrate its deepest recesses. The traditional hours and minutes dial, adorned with Roman numerals at the 12 o'clock position, follows the established design of overlapping with the seconds subdial at 6 o'clock. Furthermore, a sense of airy openness has been pursued.

Through the sapphire crystal of the seconds subdial, one can admire the skeletonized movement. The mainplate is fully open-worked, and the removal of the case ring further enhances the open, airy construction. The hours and minutes dial is secured by five screws, a technique employed for the first time by JAQUET DROZ. This method, derived from defense systems, was developed by the Maison's technical team.

On the reverse side of the movement, the gold rotor is also open-worked, allowing the light captured within the watch to diffuse naturally and radiate beauty. The movement is powered by the manually assembled Caliber "Cal. 2663 SQ," offering the first opportunity within the Grande Seconde collection to appreciate the intricate workings of the timekeeping mechanism.

This new model is available in three variations: 41mm in red gold (RG) and white gold (WG), and 41.5mm in ceramic.