Jaquet Droz Watches Feature Dials made from Billion-Year-Old Meteorites

The brand has designed two exclusive variations of its Grande Seconde Off-Centered timepiece, one featuring dials made from authentic meteorite and the other stromatolite – both minerals that have travelled from thousands of light away.

Meteorite is a fragment of asteroid that has penetrated the Earth’s atmosphere intact – making it a rare and highly sought after material, but also one that requires the hands of a skilled craftsman to be shaped into something beautiful.

The journey of these watches began with someone having to track down meteorite fragments, gathering bits and pieces that were large enough to work with. In the hands of expert craftsmen, these fragments were then transformed into finely shaped and finished dials.

Only three limited series of 88 pieces each will be issued of the Grande Seconde Off-Centered Meteorite watches: a 39mm model, a 39mm model set with diamonds, and a 43mm model.

Stromatolite, meanwhile, is a fossilised sedimentary rock that is unusual for being biogenic, meaning it contains living components as well as fossils. It dates back an astonishing 3.5 billion years, making it one of the planet’s most ancient vestiges.

This second collection comprises only three pieces: a 39mm model, a 39mm model set with diamonds, and a 43mm model, in a red gold case.

All of the watches are fixed with alligator leather straps that complement the red gold dials. Prices range between $23,800 and $29,700.