Jaquet Droz - Grande Seconde Off-Centered Black Jade

1 0 Wednesday, 22 April 2020 Edit this post

The timepieces created by Jaquet Droz are immediately recognizable for their off-centered dials. Usually, the hours and minutes sub-dial is aligned with the independent large seconds along the vertical axis but in the latest 2020 novelty of the brand, the Grande Seconde Off-Centered Black Jade, the alignment is made along a slightly slanted axis, from 1 o’clock to 7 o’clock.

Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Off-Centered Black Jade

This is not the only peculiarity of the dial. In fact, this model showcases the unique skills of Jaquet Droz in the art of minerals by featuring a fascinating fragment of black jade, worked by hand as a sheet that is just 1 mm thick.

Also known by its scientific name of “amphibolite,” black jade is almost exclusively of Australian origin, coming from two principal sites in the south and east of the continent. Extremely hard for the presence of metal in its composition, it requires lengthy polishing to reveal the tiny silver inclusions giving black jade its unique reflection that distinguishes it from onyx.

The depth of this precious mineral is here matched to the warmth of the red gold used for the 43 mm polished round case. The two circles and fine hands are also in red gold, creating a captivating contrast.

The watch is powered by the self-winding mechanical movement, calibre Jaquet Droz 2663A.P, equipped with silicon balance spring and pallet horns as well as a red gold oscillating weight. Beating at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour), this movement offers 68 hours of power reserve thanks to its double barrel.