Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Moon Swiss Serpentinite (Live Pics)
A limited edition Grande Seconde Moon featuring a dial extracted from the most iconic of all Swiss mountains.
Launched in 2017, the Grande Seconde Moon allowed Jaquet Droz to incorporate a moon phase indication and a pointer date to its signature 8-shaped dial without altering its distinctive balance. It also created a striking sense of depth to this usually sleek watch. The brand now unveils an 88-piece limited edition with a stone dial. Using minerals to craft and decorate dials is very much a Jaquet Droz tradition. Meet the new Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Moon Swiss Serpentinite.
For this new edition, the brand pays tribute to its Helvetic origins and has elected serpentinite, a dark-coloured, scaly-looking stone (similar in texture to snake’s skin, hence its name) extracted from the slopes of the most iconic of all Swiss mountains, the Matterhorn (also known as the Cervin in French) – a 4,478m mountain on the border between Switzerland and Italy.
Cut from raw stone, each dial is naturally unique. The signature dial layout is highlighted by contrasting white gold appliques framing each area of the display. The moon disc is fashioned out of serpentinite too and decorated with a white gold moon and stars with beautiful realistic relief.
This limited edition is presented in a classic 43mm Grande Seconde steel case. The clean, tapered lugs provide excellent wrist comfort despite the rather large diameter. The stylish crown proves functional and simple to operate and is adorned with the ‘star’ logo of the brand. As always with the brand, the focus is clearly on the dial and the case remains as sleek as possible.
Turning the Grande Seconde Moon Swiss Serpentinite over, the individual limited edition number is engraved on the exhibition caseback – which is also seen on the dial, with the typical “Numerus Clausus” text. The sapphire caseback offers an unimpeded view on the automatic movement JD 2660QL3. Based on the same calibre as the other Grande Seconde watches, the movement features a twin-barrel movement boasting 68 hours of power reserve and a regulator with a silicon balance spring and pallet horns.
Operating at 4Hz, it displays off-centred hours and minutes in the upper part of the dial, large seconds plus the date and the moon phases in its lower part. The moon phase indication is ultra-precise, diverging from astronomical reality by just one day in 122 years. The movement is nicely finished with Geneva stripes radiating from the balance wheel and a sandblasted openworked rotor.
The Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Moon Swiss Serpentinite is available on a rolled-edge black alligator strap secured with a steel folding buckle. It is released as a limited edition for the Swiss market. Price is set at CHF 18,800. More details on www.jaquet-droz.com.
