Jaquet Droz One-Off Watch Pays Tribute to UAE Culture

The new model is inspired by the falcon, the national symbol of the United Arab Emirates, and draws on 280 years of the Jaquet Droz Art of Astonishment, continues the traditions of craftsmanship and fine decoration first instilled in the company by its founding father in the 18th century.

Unveiled at Jaquet Droz’s branch in The Dubai Mall at the start of the year, the timepiece features a 47mm white gold case that presents a desert scene in mother-of-pearl, while the highlight of the watch are the falcons that are engraved and painted entirely by hand.

At the foreground of the desert scene - which depicts the millennia-old art of falconry, a tradition listed as UNESCO intangible heritage since 2012 – is the yellow and red gold nest with two falcons and two chicks.

The complex automaton comes to life to the sound of the minute repeater. One bird bends down to deliver a beak-full of food to its baby, while the other spreads its wings, revealing delicate nuances of colour.  A chick hatches from an egg inside the nest.

In the background on the dunes, Jaquet Droz depicts two falconers – father and son – in white djellaba robe. On the left side of the dial, a mother-of-pearl disk hovers over the dunes like a mirage with a painted oasis is which is barely perceptible.

“Jaquet Droz timepieces have always been inspired by nature and Bedouin culture, which is a very great source of inspiration, for painting and engraving, as well as for our automata, which attempts to replicate the movements of nature,” says Christian Lattmann, CEO of Jaquet Droz.

“The millennia-old art of falconry, a central element of the identity of the United Arab Emirates, also inspires us to realise this exceptional piece.”

The Bird Repeater Falcon is priced at about $545,000.