Masterpiece from Jaquet Droz, the Grande Seconde Skelet-One. This is the first time that the brand presents a Grande Seconde variation featuring a sapphire dial integrated within a skeleton composition. Fitted with a 41 mm case, the watch is available in 18K red gold, 18K white gold and black ceramic.
Released in light of the 280th-anniversary celebrations of Jaquet Droz, the Grande Seconde Skelet-One preserves the figure “8” shape, the true aesthetic signature of this line. To do so, Jaquet Droz maintained the uncluttered character of the dial that is distinguished by the legendary hours and minutes counter with Roman numerals at 12 o’clock, intertwined with the large seconds counter with Arabic numerals at 6 o’clock.
The composition stays true in all aspects to the original inspiration of the Grande Seconde, playing with decorated surfaces as much as empty spaces.
The hours and minutes counter at 12 o’clock intertwined with the large seconds counter at 6 o’clock. The play of light and shadow is superb, revealing the beauty, intricacy, and precision of its geometric structures.
The sapphire dial, on which the large seconds hand turns, beautifully complements the skeleton movement, constructed in successive layers. The plate is entirely openworked. The casing-up circle has been eliminated, allowing for 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. Used for the first time by Jaquet Droz, 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 to let light diffuse freely into the heart of the movement. The Grande Seconde Skelet-One, equipped with a silicon double barrel, balance spring and pallet lugs, features a hand-assembled Caliber 2663 SQ. It is the first to reveal the mechanical choreography beating at the heart of the Grande Seconde.
Delivered on a handmade black alligator strap with rolled edges and pin buckle matching the material of the case, the Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Skelet-One wears true its size. Price: $33,600 USD for gold models $24,200 USD for black ceramic.