The brand is shining the spotlight on its Ateliers d’Art by featuring four variations of its Petite Heure Minute watch that celebrate the sign of the Rat. This animal thus marks the start of a new cycle in the Chinese calendar.
Representing renewal, the Rat is the first sign in the Chinese Zodiac calendar. A symbol of passion and ambition, the sign of the Rat will take center stage in 2020 according to the age-old Chinese calendar. To celebrate this special year, four limited series have been created by Jaquet Droz.
According to legend, the Rat finished first in a great race hosted by the Jade Emperor, the ruler of all gods. The animal is said to have used its wits and speed to finish ahead of animals much more powerful than it, such as the Ox and Tiger, as well as those less agile, such as the Sheep and Rooster. The Rat is said to have won the race – as well as the first place in the zodiac calendar – by crossing a river on the back of the Ox. Just before reaching the shore and the finish line, the Rat jumped off the back of the Ox to win first place.
The Rat has since been synonymous with intelligence, ingenuity and ambition. It is also an animal that is closely associated with wealth: seeing a Rat is an omen of plentiful harvests and represents a sign of prosperity.
In each of these creations, Jaquet Droz has paired the Rat with the pomegranate, which has been regarded as a symbol of life and fertility since ancient times because of the many seeds contained within it. Fertility and continuous renewal are thus the benefits of the pomegranate, the fruit of power and a symbol of life.
Four highly exclusive models have now been revealed which celebrate the pairing of the Rat and the pomegranate. They showcase Jaquet Droz’s Ateliers d’Art, whose work brings naturalistic scenes to life in the true spirit of the brand. The first two models (Petite Heure Minute 35 mm and 39 mm) depict two rats on a bed of leaves dotted with pomegranates, set on a Grand Feu enamel dial. Both variations are produced in red gold, and the 35 mm model is set entirely with diamonds (case and pallet lugs). The case back of both models houses an oscillating weight designed especially for this limited series of 28 pieces. A second scene, engraved in red gold, depicts two rats reveling in a basket of pomegranates, continuing the metaphor of prosperity, abundance and intelligence.
For the 41 mm version, the Petite Heure Minute is available in two other animal-inspired variations that explore the same theme yet feature an onyx dial in a shade of black that is as pure as it is intense. This incredibly deep black serves as the backdrop for a Rat holding a pomegranate in its hands. These two prestigious pieces are crafted in either red gold or white gold (case, rat, hands, and oscillating weight engraving). In addition, the white gold version is set with 272 diamonds that illuminate its ring and pallet lugs with radiant sparkle while creating contrast with the dark intensity of onyx.
For each of these versions set with jewels, pomegranates are symbolized by rubies, which are arranged in a snow setting to depict multiple arils at the 9 o’clock position, while one larger ruby is used for the seed in the Rat’s hands. This combination of precious materials (diamonds, gold and rubies) reinforces the natural qualities of the Rat, a passionate, ambitious, creative animal, and a symbol of prosperity. Each of these creations has been issued in a strictly limited edition of eight pieces, in keeping with the purest tradition of Jaquet Droz’s Numerus Clausus artistic creations.
“Some watches tell time. Some tell a story.”
Jaquet Droz Year of the Rat Technical Specifications
ATELIERS D’ART COLLECTION PETITE HEURE MINUTE RELIEF RAT
NUMERUS CLAUSUS
Numerus Clausus of 8
REFERENCE
J005024285
DESCRIPTION
“18-karat white gold dial with onyx.
Hand-engraved and hand-painted 18-karat white gold appliques in relief depicting rats and pomegranates and set with rubies.
18-karat white gold case and applied ring.
Self-winding mechanical movement.
Power reserve of 68 hours.
Diameter 41 mm.
Numerus Clausus of 8”
MOVEMENT
Jaquet Droz 2653.Si, self-winding mechanical movement, silicon balance spring and pallet horns, double barrel, 18-karat white gold oscillating weight with onyx and 18-karat white gold hand-painted rat applique.
INDICATIONS
Off-centered hours and minutes
JEWELING
28 jewels
POWER RESERVE
68 hours
FREQUENCY
28,800 v.p.h.
CASE
18-karat white gold case set with 272 diamonds (1.02 carats)
Diameter 41 mm
Height 13.77 mm
Individual limited serial number engraved on the case-back
WATER RESISTANCE
To 3 bar (30 meters)
DIAL
“18-karat white gold dial with onyx
Hand-engraved and hand-painted 18-karat white gold appliques in relief depicting rats and pomegranates, set with 57 rubies (0.62 carat)”
HANDS
18-karat white gold
STRAP
Rolled-edge hand-made black alligator
CLASP
18-karat white gold ardillon buckle set with 24 diamonds (0.14 carat)
TOTAL CARAT WEIGHT/DIAMONDS
IF to VVSI, Full Cut, D to G
Number of coloured stones: 57 jewels
Total carat weight: 0.62 carats
ATELIERS D’ART COLLECTION PETITE HEURE MINUTE RELIEF RAT
NUMERUS CLAUSUS
Numerus Clausus of 8
REFERENCE
J005023291
DESCRIPTION
“18-karat red gold dial with onyx.
Hand-engraved and hand-painted 18-karat red gold appliques in relief depicting rats and pomegranates and set with rubies.
18-karat red gold case and applied ring.
Self-winding mechanical movement.
Power reserve of 68 hours.
Diameter 41 mm.
Numerus Clausus of 8”
MOVEMENT
Jaquet Droz 2653.Si, self-winding mechanical movement, silicon balance spring and pallet horns, double barrel, 18-karat red gold oscillating weight with onyx and 22-karat red gold hand-painted rat applique.
INDICATIONS
Off-centred hours and minutes
JEWELING
28 jewels
POWER RESERVE
68 hours
FREQUENCY
28,800 v.p.h.
CASE
18-karat red gold case
Diameter 41 mm
Height 13.77 mm
Individual limited serial number engraved on the case-back
WATER RESISTANCE
To 3 bar (30 meters)
DIAL
“18-karat red gold dial with onyx
Hand-engraved and hand-painted 18-karat red gold appliques in relief depicting rats and pomegranates, set with 57 rubies (0.62 carat)”
HANDS
18-karat red gold
STRAP
Rolled-edge hand-made black alligator
CLASP
18-karat red gold ardillon buckle
TOTAL CARAT WEIGHT/DIAMONDS/COLOURED GEMS
Number of coloured stones: 57 jewels
Total carat weight: 0.62 carats
COLLECTION LES ATELIERS D’ART PETITE HEURE MINUTE RAT
NUMERUS CLAUSUS
Numerus Clausus of 28
REFERENCE
J005013230
DESCRIPTION
“Ivory Grand Feu enamel dial with miniature painting.
18-karat red gold case.
Self-winding mechanical movement.
Power reserve of 68 hours.
Diameter 39 mm.
Numerus Clausus of 28.”
MOVEMENT
Jaquet Droz 2653.P, self-winding mechanical movement, silicon balance spring and pallet horns, double barrel, flat bridges, 18-karat red gold oscillating weight with 22-karat red gold hand-painted rat applique,
INDICATIONS
Off-centred hours and minutes
JEWELLING
28 jewels
POWER RESERVE
68 hours
FREQUENCY
28,800 v.p.h
CASE
18-karat red gold case
Diameter Ø 39 mm
Height 12.23 mm
Individual limited serial number engraved on the case-back
WATER RESISTANCE
3 bar (30 meters)
DIAL
Ivory Grand Feu enamel dial with miniature painting
HANDS
18-karat red gold
BRACELET
Rolled-edge hand-made brown alligator leather strap
BUCKLE
18-karat red gold ardillon
COLLECTION LES ATELIERS D’ART PETITE HEURE MINUTE RAT
NUMERUS CLAUSUS
Numerus Clausus of 28
REFERENCE
J005003227
DESCRIPTION
“Ivory Grand Feu enamel dial with miniature painting.
18-karat red gold case set with 232 diamonds, total of 1.23 carat.
Self-winding mechanical movement.
Power reserve of 68 hours.
Diameter 35 mm.
Numerus Clausus of 28.
MOVEMENT
Jaquet Droz 2653.P, self-winding mechanical movement, silicon balance spring and pallet horns, double barrel, flat bridges, 18-karat red gold oscillating weight with 22-karat red gold hand-painted rat applique.
INDICATIONS
Off-centred hours and minutes
JEWELLING
28 jewels
POWER RESERVE
68 hours
FREQUENCY
28,800 v.p.h
CASE
18-karat red gold, set with 232 diamonds (1.23 carats)
Diameter Ø 35 mm
Height 10.75 mm
Individual limited serial number engraved on the case-back
WATER RESISTANCE
3 bar (30 meters)
DIAL
Ivory Grand Feu enamel dial with miniature painting
HANDS
18-karat red gold
BRACELET
Rolled-edge hand-made brown alligator leather strap
BUCKLE
18-karat red gold ardillon
CARATAGE TOTAL / DIAMANTS / PIERRES DE COULEUR
IF to VVSI, Full Cut, D to G
Total carat weight: 232 diamonds, 1.23 carats
