Three key things that define the Jaquet Droz fine watchmaking savoir-faire are the traditional metiers d’arts, exquisite mechanical automata, and exotic natural mineral dials. In the new Loving Butterfly Automaton watches, you get all three in one glorious package, which truly espouses the manufacture’s Art of Astonishment philosophy.
Released just in time for Jaquet Droz’s 280th anniversary since its founding, these new models honour the genius of Henri-Louis Jaquet-Droz and the numerous android automata made during his time. Inspired by one of his sketches, that of a cherub in a chariot drawn by a butterfly, the Loving Butterfly Automaton was first introduced in 2017.
These fresh interpretations play with precious and semi-precious stones to varying effects: slate grey meteorite meets rich black onyx, shimmering black opal is conjoined with dazzling baguette-cut diamonds arranged in a sunray pattern, sparkly dark blue aventurine is set off by misty white mother-of-pearl.
Push the button within the crown and the wheels of the chariot begin to spin, while the butterfly would flap its wings. Handcrafted in gold, the applique is completely three-dimensional, as is the thicket of trees forming the background. Of the three, the model in opal is a unique piece, while the other two are 28-piece limited editions.
