WORDS
Eleanor Pryor
The Grande Seconde, defined by its elegantly balanced figure of eight traced on the dial, has its roots in a pocket watch created by Jaquet Droz in the 18th century. Centuries on, this classic piece of design continues to hold an integral place at the heart of the watchmaker’s creations, reinterpreted last year in the sophisticated and technically accomplished Grande Seconde Off-Centred Chronograph.
This timepiece has been given an elegant upgrade with the addition of a black onyx dial, building on Jaquet Droz’s tradition of using minerals to adorn its watches. The unique depth of its colour provides the perfect contrast against the fine white gold appliqué used to highlight the hour markers. The large central seconds hand features an openwork counterweight, while the date hand is solid, evoking the image of a new or full moon against the dark backdrop.
The timepiece is powered by the Jaquet Droz 26M5R calibre, equipped with innovations such as the silicon escapement that offers increased precision and protects the watch against magnetism and temperature variations. The fine attention to detail seen on the dial continues to the movement, viewable through the sapphire crystal case back, from the Côtes de Genéve pattern delicately applied to each bridge to the openwork oscillating weight in red gold.