Jaquet Droz Bird Repeater

Jaquet Droz is known for their rich history of creating automata (as we wrote in this article about JD’s history here). And even recently, in 2009, they created something that every one talked about during Baselworld; the machine that writes time. 

And even when knowing what kind of automata-magic Jaquet Droz can create, they (again) amaze us with their newest creation, the Bird Repeater. A combination of a minute repeater and an automata of birds feeding three chicks, of which one comes out of an egg. Read on to see the (just released) video!

Our friends from Watchonista had the scoop and shared a bunch of photos (check them out here) of this absolutely mind-blowing, stunning and impressive timepiece. I even don’t dare to call it a “watch”, because it’s so much more then that. It’s a piece of art with a background painting  of the “Saut du Doubs” waterfall and in the fore ground are two bird and a bird’s nest with two chicks and an egg. Check out the video to see what the master watchmakers of Jaquet Droz created.

When the minute repeater is activated by the slide on the left side of the 47mm large case, the minute repeater starts. And so does the automaton of the birds feeding the chicks. On really cute detail is the chick that comes out of the egg. The details of what Jaquet Droz presents here are absolutely stunning.

The movement is also of incredible beauty, however currently we don’t have information about the maker of the movement. It could well be that Breguet was involved in the “basic minute repeater” movement (what’s basic about a minute repeater?), however that is pure speculation from my side. The movement does show the signature clover engraved.

The case measures 47 mm in diameter and 18.4 mm in height. Just 16 pieces will be made, 8 in 18-karat gold and eight set with diamonds. The price will be close to half a million Swiss francs.

If all goes well, the first piece will be completed this month and will go on a world tour to the Jaquet Droz boutiques, starting with Hong Kong, then moving to Shanghai, Tokyo, Paris Vendôme, and of course Switzerland. The Bird Repeater will come in this case… Just for the details, do check the key that is in the shape of the JD signature clover.

For more info, please check out the articles and photos posted by our friends of Watchonista.

Edit: Jaquet Droz just launched a dedicated webpage for the Bird Repeater here.

This article is written By Frank Geelen, executive editor for Monochrome Watches.