Pre-Baselworld 2018: Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Moon Black Enamel

Grand Feu enamel remains a unique material. While challenging to make, this doesn’t stop certain watch brands to create dials from it. Reason for this is that rich, glossy look, that tells connoisseurs that they are holding something special. Last year Jaquet Droz introduced at Baselworld the Grande Seconde Moon in a red gold case and with an ivory Grand Feu enamel dial, and this year they are extending the collection with the Grande Seconde Moon Black Enamel.

Especially the contrast between the red gold case, which is prominent with a 43mm diameter, and the black enamel dial is a very striking one. The date ring, crafted from red gold, adds a dash of color to it, while the printed hour, minute and seconds rings accentuate the figure eight, which is a design hallmark of Jaquet Droz. The red gold date ring is actually sloped, with enamel dial continuing on a lower level. There we find the moon phase complication of this watch, which is as beautiful as it is exceptional. The disc itself is made from onyx, while the moons are hand-crafted from 22 karat red gold. The moon phase itself is very precise and only needs adjusting once every 122 years.

While the watch itself is a classic, its technology is rather modern. Inside we find Jaquet Droz caliber 2660QL3. This self-winding mechanical movement features silicon balance spring and pallet horns and is fitted with an 18 karat red gold oscillating weight. Thanks to a double mainspring barrel the power reserve of this watch is a very generous 68 hours. While the actual difference with the Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Moon in ivory Grand Feu enamel seems small, the visual one is dramatic, almost like Ying and Yang, which makes it a very interesting, and beautiful addition to Jaquet Droz’s line-up!