Jaquet Droz Timepieces Pay Tribute to ‘Year of the Rooster’

By Paul Joseph

Chinese horoscopes have always provided inspiration for luxury brands keen to tap into the exoticism of the east – and the latest to do just that is Swiss watchmaker Jaquet Droz.

The brand is ushering in 2017 with a collection of eye-catching timepieces that celebrate the Chinese Year of the Fire Rooster.

The craftsmen of Jaquet Droz’s Ateliers d’Arts have created two new models based on the Petite Heure Minute, both available in two versions, each with their own distinctive way of paying tribute to the rooster.

Two models capture the motif though elaborate miniature painting. Grand Feu enamel dials (within 39 mm red gold cases) are painted with the rooster and pretty peonies (known as “the Queen of Flowers”) to represent springtime renewal. The painting follows a watercolor style to echo Chinese calligraphy masterpieces. One of the versions features a plain case while the other is studded with diamonds.

The second duo of watches uses the miniature sculpture technique. The first Petite Heure Minute Rooster features a red gold rooster (in a red gold case) against a dial inlaid with jadeite and mother-of-pearl that are hand-engraved in the Jaquet Droz workshops. This version is limited to 28 pieces.

The second sculpted watch features a hand painted rooster and diamonds on the white gold case.

The watches are powered by a movement with a double barrel and a silicon escapement, and each of them features a sapphire caseback to show off the movement.

Founded by Pierre Jaquet Droz in 1738, Jaquet Droz is one of the world’s oldest watch brands.

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By Paul Joseph