Introducing the Jaquet Droz Grande Heure Minute Quantieme, the brand’s new entry-level (specs & price)

19/08/2015 | By Brice Goulard | 2 min read |

Alongside their watches with the iconic large subsidiary second and display shaped like an 8, Jaquet Droz is known for the beauty and purity of their dials. We experienced that feeling when reviewing the highly interesting Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Quantieme Ivory Enamel. Now, JD comes with new watches with both more contemporary and classical style, with however some of the typical features of the brand. Here is the Jaquet Droz Grande Heure Minute Quantieme – and take into account that it’s the cheapest JD to come with the manufacture’s new movement.

Jaquet Droz Grande Heure Minute Quantieme - 3

Jaquet Droz Grande Heure Minute Quantieme - 4

The Jaquet Droz Grande Heure Minute Quantieme depicts some of the traditional features of the brand (a plain dial, sword hands, beautiful finishes of the dial and shape of the case) with something less traditional, that makes this watch looks at the same time more classical and also more modern, compared to the rest of the collection: centrally placed hands. As said, Jaquet Droz watches are highly recognizable due to the iconic 8-shape display – that can be found here, here or here and that we explained in the recent history of the manufacture. Moving from this specific layout to central hands is difficult but JD managed to keep its DNA.

The Jaquet Droz Grande Heure Minute Quantieme is available in two editions that are both available in two sizes: a choice of 39mm or 43mm for the case and a choice of a plain argenté dial or a blue dial finished with Geneva stripes. One shows contrasting blued hands while the other keeps it simple with classical silver swords. Both the minutes, hours and the seconds are now placed in the middle of the dial. The originality comes from the date at 6, which is displayed in a beveled and recessed window. This simple detail enlivens the dial for a right dose of modernity. The stainless steel case remains purely JD, with a round shape, fully polished and long yet highly curved lugs.

Underneath the dial and visible through the caseback sits Jaquet Droz latest movement, the JD1150P – also shared, with different modules, in the Grande Seconde Quantieme Ivory Enamel and in the Grande Seconde Morte. This movement is an evolution of the famous Piguet 1150 with now an antimagnetic silicon spiral and enhanced performances. It features two barrels for 68 hours of power reserve. The partially skeletonized rotor, the polished beveled angles and the rayonnates Geneva stripes are pleasant to look at.

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