There are some traditions that Jaquet Droz always observes; one of the most treasured being a tribute to the Chinese zodiac. The connection to China has been a part of the brand’s DNA for centuries. The Jaquet-Droz family began fostering relations with the imperial court as early as 1774. Over a decade, the Jaquet-Droz family exported over 600 pieces to China, much to the fascination of the Qianlong Emperor and the imperial court mandarins, who could not get enough of their mechanical automaton watches. This qualified Jaquet Droz as the first watchmaking brand imported into the Forbidden City. Numerous Jaquet Droz automatons and pocket watches are still preserved to this day in the Imperial Palace Museum. For the new Chinese year’s zodiac sign, the brand presents the Jaquet Droz Buffalo.
Nearly 250 years later, the Maison is still headquartered in La Chaux-de-Fonds and is honoured to be carrying on this longtime Sino-Swiss friendship with a tribute to the zodiac sign for the 2021 Chinese New Year: the ox.
Legend has it that the Jade Emperor chose the animals in the 12-year zodiac cycle based on a race. The ox is portrayed carrying a rat on its back, which is ultimately how the rat won the race.
Since then, the ox has represented attributes like perseverance and reliability — the same values that unite China and Jaquet Droz. The ox has a reputation for staying the course in the face of adversity, powering through and remaining rational. With strong calm and persistence, children born under the sign of the ox are known for their honest and hard work. For women, the ox symbolizes perseverance and the importance of education and keeping the family together.
Each animal of the zodiac is traditionally connected with an element. This year it is metal. Combined with the ox, metal serves to heighten its qualities as well as its ability to do everything in its power to attain goals and achieve dreams.
Jaquet Droz believes gold is the only metal worthy of the ox. There are three pieces in red gold and one in white gold. The Maison selected two distinctive artisanal techniques to represent the new zodiac sign. First, miniature painting, which appears on two 35 mm x 41 mm timepieces with a majestically peaceful ox against a background of mist-covered mountains. A handpainted and softly serene pastoral scene. This pair of Petite Heure Minute watches provide an ample canvas for micro-painting, both in a 35 mm ladies’ version with a gem-set bezel and lugs, and a 41 mm version without gems. As for the case-back, the first one’s oscillating weight is personalized with a red gold appliqué. The second one has an 18-karat open-worked rotor that is hand-engraved.
The other two feature relief engraving, an artisanal technique cherished by Jaquet Droz. This method is used to create an ox that literally seems to be coming out of the dial as it calmly saunters on to the pitch-black onyx face towards a gold plum tree with red ruby blossoms. The plum tree symbolizes the harmony between humans and nature, the earth and the sky. Rubies stand for bravery and victory, values close to the ox’s heart. The stunning raised tableau is made possible by hand-engraved gold appliqué on these two 41 mm Petite Heure Minutes hour rings. One is crafted in red gold and the other in white gold with a gem-set bezel and lugs. Like on the dials, the Ateliers d’Art also engraved the oscillating weights with the head of an ox on an onyx background.
Each of these four handcrafted compositions are exclusively being released in a series of eight. A continuation of the age-old Sino-Swiss friendship and the Art of Astonishment that has lasted over 250 years.
“Some watches tell time. Some tell a story”
Jaquet Droz Buffalo Series Technical Specifications and Price
PETITE HEURE MINUTE BUFFALO
NUMERUS CLAUSUS
Numerus Clausus of 8
REFERENCE
J005123206
DESCRIPTION
“Ivory Grand Feu enamel dial with miniature painting.
18-karat red gold case.
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, hand-engraved and hand-painted.
INDICATIONS
Off-centered hours and minutes
JEWELLING
28 jewels
POWER RESERVE
68 hours
FREQUENCY
28,800 v.p.h
CASE
18-karat red gold case
Diameter Ø 41 mm
Height 12.10 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
PRICE
26.700 Euro (Germany)
PETITE HEURE MINUTE BUFFALO
NUMERUS CLAUSUS
Numerus Clausus of 8
REFERENCE
J005003228
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 8.
”
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 buffalo applique.
INDICATIONS
Off-centered 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
PRICE
41.600 Euro (Germany)
PETITE HEURE MINUTE RELIEF BUFFALO
NUMERUS CLAUSUS
Numerus Clausus of 8
REFERENCE
J005023295
DESCRIPTION
“18-karat red gold and black onyx dial.
Hand-engraved and hand-painted 18-karat red gold buffalo and tree relief appliques; tree set with 27 rubies.
18-karat red gold case.
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 buffalo applique.
INDICATIONS
Off-centered 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 and black onyx dial
Hand-engraved and hand-painted 18-karat red gold buffalo and tree relief appliques; tree set with 27 rubies (0.03 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
IF to VVSI, Full Cut, D to G
Number of coloured stones: 27 jewels
Total carat weight: 0.03 carats
PETITE HEURE MINUTE RELIEF BUFFALO
NUMERUS CLAUSUS
Numerus Clausus of 8
REFERENCE
J005024286
DESCRIPTION
“18-karat white gold and black onyx dial.
Hand-engraved and hand-painted 18-karat white gold buffalo and tree relief appliques; tree set with 27 rubies.
18-karat white gold case, set with 272 diamonds.
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 22-karat gold hand-painted buffalo 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 (1.03 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 and black onyx dial
Hand-engraved and hand-painted 18-karat white gold buffalo and tree relief appliques; tree set with 27 rubies (0.03 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: 27 jewels
Total carat weight: 0.03 carats
Total number of diamonds: 296 diamonds
Total diamond carat weight: 1.17 carats
Jaquet Droz Buffalo Gallery
