In The Shop - Announcements: The HODINKEE Shop Is Now An Authorized Jaquet Droz Retailer

When you hear the name Jaquet Droz, you might immediately think of the brand's expertise in the world of automata – and you wouldn't be wrong. In the mid-1700s, Pierre Jaquet-Droz made a name for himself in the realm of sophisticated automata, namely his elaborate and lifelike singing birds. To this day, this intricate mechanical approach continues to influence the brand's Automata collection , where Jaquet Droz translates this beautiful art form once reserved for large, animated objects onto the small canvas of a wristwatch. And yet, in nearly three centuries of watchmaking, Jaquet Droz has expanded far beyond the world of automata. The brand's catalog now includes countless designs that are more accessible and less ornate on the outside but still exemplify the brand's watchmaking prowess under the hood. It's these such watches that we're excited to welcome to the HODINKEE Shop today, as we announce becoming an Authorized Retailer of Jaquet Droz. Who Is Jaquet Droz? To understand a watchmaker's designs, I often find it's beneficial to have some context of where the brand came from, particularly with a brand like Jaquet Droz, whose horological roots run so deep. The company has been around for over 250 years, but the founder himself came from generations of clockmakers – so, in a sense, the history stretches back even further. Within the first several years of establishing his namesake workshop, Mr. Jaquet-Droz's business quickly expanded beyond his hometown of La Chaux-de-Fonds, first to Madrid, then to Paris, London, and Kazan, Russia, where Mr. Jaquet-Droz and his family proudly exhibited their fabulous creations. Amid their travels, Mr. Jaquet-Droz ultimately decided to establish a second workshop in London to be managed by his son. Here, he forged a relationship with a prominent trading company called James Cox London who helped Mr. Jaquet-Droz become one of the first Swiss clockmaking brands to be imported in China, India, and Japan. Eventually, he added a third workshop in Geneva in 1784, making the brand one of the earliest clockmaking manufactures to establish in the now-horologically significant city. This Geneva-based facility would ultimately become Jaquet Droz's dedicated watchmaking hub, with the brand first specializing in pieces that translated its work in the realm of automata – namely musical mechanisms and other complications – to the canvas of a watch. However, in the coming years, the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars would greatly inhibit trade and largely impact Mr. Jaquet-Droz and his business. If you look at the brand's catalog, there's a period of hibernation in the 1800s. It wouldn't be until the 20th century that we'd begin to see the Jaquet-Droz name resurface thanks to a case and dial maker and supplier of movements who tried to revitalize the brand. Ultimately, their efforts fell flat and didn't live up to the standard Mr. Jaquet-Droz had established – there was no comparison to the quality of finishing or the movements. The Jaquet Droz brand wasn't revived in earnest until the Swatch Group acquired it in 2000 with a mission to recapture the original essence of the brand and do justice to the incredible work of its founder. In the past two decades, they've done just that. (Just check out Joe Thompson's 2019 Jaquet Droz factory tour for proof!) Today, Jaquet Droz's heritage lives on in each of its watches, from the Automata collection to the tentpole Grand Seconde collection, which is inspired by one of the brand's early pocket watches. We're thrilled to welcome seven of Jaquet Droz's modern marvels to the HODINKEE Shop , for a total of nine exceptional pieces. The Grande Seconde Collection Of the nine Jaquet Droz watches we have here, eight hail from the brand's flagship collection, the Grande Seconde. However, the models themselves are so unique, you might not guess they all come from the same line. Still, the thread that ties them together is the prominent seconds sub-dial, as seen in the aforementioned pocket watch created by the brand's founder in the 18th century. While instantly eye-catching, this unique styling actually served a purpose when it was initially designed, helping to serve the increasingly fast-paced life of those living in the Age of Enlightenment. It's no surprise that the Swatch Group recognized the significance of this design and its relevance in our modern world that moves at lightning speed. At the base of the Grande Seconde collection, you have simple, time-only models like the Grande Seconde with ivory enamel dial in 18k red gold. This watch showcases Jaquet Droz's trademark figure-eight motif, with a large seconds register prominently positioned at six o'clock, in its purest form – no additional complications, just hours, minutes, and seconds. In particular, you'll notice the two interesting subdials that form the figure eight combine Arabic and Roman numerals ringed by railroad track scales. Housed in an elegant 18k red gold case, the Grande Seconde with ivory enamel dial represents the quintessential dress watch for Jaquet Droz, one that's unlike any other on the market. The collection builds with the Grande Seconde Quantième, which we're pleased to offer in three distinct styles: One with a silver opaline dial and black alligator strap, one with a satin-brushed anthracite dial and brown alligator strap, and lastly, one with a grey sandblasted titanium dial and dark blue leather strap. Each iteration within the Grande Seconde Quantième series shares a similar foundation, showcasing the brand's iconic figure eight motif highlighting the seconds register at six o'clock. However, with the Grande Seconde Quantième, you get the addition of a date complication housed within the seconds subdial, which uses a pointer-date calendar hand that spins on the same arbor as the running seconds hand. The next variation within the Grande Seconde Collection, the Grande Seconde Off-Centered, further iterates on the concepts of asymmetry, the figure eight motif, and the prominent seconds subdial but pushes the boundaries further. As the name suggests, instead of the traditional orientation squarely at six o'clock, the seconds display is off-centered between seven and eight o'clock. In addition, you'll notice the winding crown is also slightly "off center," located at four o'clock instead of three. Within the Grande Seconde Off-Centered subset, we're excited to offer two versions: a simple, time-only model as well as a stunning chronograph variation. The Grande Seconde Off-Centered Chronograph elevates an already intriguing design to new heights with a breathtaking black onyx dial that boasts a luster only a highly polished natural gemstone can achieve. This one's already an office favorite. Further demonstrating the more complicated pieces within the collection is the Grande Seconde Moon. The addition of a moon-phase complication first came to the line in 2017, and here, we have the latest iteration featuring an absolutely stunning matte grey sand-blasted dial, meant to resemble the Moon's surface. This is coupled with a blued steel Moon disc representing the night sky along with applied 18k white gold stars and an engraved 22k white gold moon. Overall, the color scheme not only echoes the celestial theme of the watch but also pairs nicely with the brand's trademark blue steel handset for an overall cohesive look. The last piece from the Grande Seconde collection landing in the Shop is arguably the most avant-garde: the Grande Seconde Skelet-One. Here, you have the same base concept – the figure-eight motif and the prominent seconds register at six o'clock – reimagined in a thoroughly modern skeletonized dial, marking the perfect blend of classic and contemporary. This balance extends to the materials, with a black ceramic case and a rolled-edge, hand-made blue fabric strap, which may sound sporty and casual at first glance. However, the Grande Seconde Skelet-One maintains a sophisticated presence that aligns with the rest of the Grande Seconde collection, working just as well with a tux as with a T-shirt and jeans. The Astrale Collection Jaquet Droz's Astrale collection draws its name and inspiration for its designs from the world of astronomy, where time measurement began. In 2018, the brand added the Grande Heure Minute Ardoise to the line. The Grande Heure Minute Ardoise is instantly notable for its very minimalist aesthetic, featuring a clean dial with no hour, minute, or second markers. The design marked a major departure from other pieces in the Astrale collection, which showcase more intricate dials and complications like moon-phase indicators. Instead, the brand has taken a basic time-only dress watch and, in typical Jaquet Droz fashion, elevated it with a prominent, off-centered seconds sub-dial that gives the illusion of a celestial body floating in space as a nod to the collection's astronomical roots. Jaquet Droz Movements While it may be the design of a particular watch that initially catches your eye, it's the movement that will keep you engaged and curious. Watches are objects of beauty, no doubt, but at the end of the day, they're still practical tools and a balance of form and function is key. Despite the charm of these Jaquet Droz watches, the movements are the main event. Jaquet Droz exclusively uses mechanical movements, and every watch you see here today is equipped with a self-winding caliber. Each Jaquet Droz movement is assembled and finished by hand before being engraved with a cloverleaf, the signature of Pierre Jaquet-Droz. In 2014, Jaquet Droz began equipping its movements with a silicon balance spring and pallet horns, which has greatly enhanced the brand's watches with greater stability and resistance to shock, temperature variations, and magnetic fields. While Jaquet Droz's use of materials may be modern, the brand's finishing techniques remain rooted in watchmaking tradition, and thankfully, each of the watches in the Shop boasts an exhibition caseback that allows you to see this decoration in all its glory. Explore Jaquet Droz In The HODINKEE Shop Here, we've merely brushed the surface of the elegance and technical prowess that each of these Jaquet Droz watches has to offer. To explore every watch mentioned in full detail, from the dial finishing to the intricacies of the movement, head over to the HODINKEE Shop . Within each collection and unique model itself, you'll find a little something special that makes these watches unlike any other on the market.Over 280 years of history, brought to life through a recognizable and totally unique design language.