When art meets horology, the result can sometimes eclipse the boundaries of traditional watchmaking, transporting the wearer into a new realm of creativity and technical prowess. The Jaquet Droz Tourbillon Dragon White Gold – John Howe is a breathtaking homage to both the fantastical world of the acclaimed artist and the centuries-old savoir-faire of one of Switzerland’s storied manufactures. This unique creation, conceived as the twin of an original painting by John Howe, legendary artistic director for the Lord of the Rings trilogy, invites us into a world where fantasy, art and horological mastery merge.
A Canvas of Spectacular Craftsmanship
The dial of this singular Jaquet Droz piece is where its most arresting visual and artistic statement is made. Set against a backdrop of deep blue Grand Feu enamel, its lustre and translucence a rare feat achieved only through patience and expert firing, resides a minutely realised dragon, painted by hand in a exquisite miniature. This is no simple reproduction; the artistry captures the exact nuances and drama of the original Howe canvas, with colour saturation and minute brushstrokes echoing the texture and soul of the fantasy creature.
Grand Feu enamel dials are a calling card of excellence. Firing layer upon layer at extremely high temperatures, only the most precise artisanship can ensure both the depth of colour and the permanence of the image. The result is a shifting, almost magical vibrance, where light plays on the enamel surface, bringing the dragon to life with every glance of the wrist. Surrounding this central motif are the subtle yet impeccably finished hour and minute hands, crafted from 18-karat white gold. The blue-steeled seconds hand, set within the tourbillon cage at 12 o’clock, punctuates this scene with its contrast and elegance, underscoring the technical drama at play on the dial.
Jaquet Droz Calibre 25JD
Beating within this exceptional watch is the Jaquet Droz Calibre 25JD, a self-winding tourbillon movement conceived with the connoisseur in mind. It is fitted with a single barrel, providing a substantial power reserve of seven days. It is an engineering achievement that ensures longevity and reliability. The frequency is set at 21,600 vibrations per hour, balancing traditional watchmaking rhythm with modern accuracy.
Much attention has been paid to both aesthetics and architecture. The oscillating weight, fashioned from 18-karat red gold, features a black onyx appliqué and is adorned with John Howe’s logo: subtle, personal touches visible through the sapphire caseback and a delight for the collector’s eye. Jewelling is thoughtful, with thirty-one jewels strategically placed for liquid smooth functioning. Through precise hand-finishing and assembly, every bridge and surface exhibits a harmonious interplay of brushed and polished operations, highlighting the care taken in the movement’s orchestration. The technical sophistication of the tourbillon, housed at 12 o’clock, is amplified by its role as a stage for the passing seconds, delivering both visual intrigue and a continuous demonstration of mechanical artistry.
Anatomy of White Gold Excellence
Encasing the dial and its movement is an elegantly proportioned shell of 18-karat white gold, measuring 43mm in diameter and 13.10mm in thickness. The surfaces are expertly polished and contoured to provide both presence and comfort on the wrist. On the caseback, discreet engraving proclaims “Pièce Unique”, underscoring the singularity of the creation. The whole structure is water resistant to 3 bar (30 metres), a reassuring nod to practicality for the active collector.
Jaquet Droz pairs this masterpiece with a hand-made, rolled-edge dark blue alligator strap. Its hue intimately echoing the enamel dial and fastened by an 18-karat white gold folding clasp. The tactile experience of the watch is, as one would expect, sumptuous; the weight and refinement of materials serve only to heighten one’s appreciation as the piece comes alive on the wrist.
Artistic Soul of the House: Collaboration as Artform
Jaquet Droz’s partnership with John Howe is far from a simple artistic embellishment. It is a continuation of a lineage wherein art and watchmaking interact symbiotically to create unique objects of desire. This collaboration enabled the collector to acquire not just the painted original, but also its horological twin, a wearable artefact that preserves the “soul” of the original masterpiece, now animated by time.
This approach signals Jaquet Droz’s intent to continue breaking boundaries, fusing painting, sculpture, and engraving with horological engineering. Each piece emerging from this symposium of disciplines is an invitation, a promise that the wristwatch can become not just a vessel for time, but a repository of wonder and personal narrative.
Jaquet Droz Tourbillon Dragon White Gold – John Howe Technical Specifications
Reference J0130340021
Indications
- Hours and minutes at 6 o’clock
- Tourbillon frame and seconds at 12 o’clock
Movement
- Calibre Jaquet Droz 25JD,
- self-winding tourbillon movement,
- single barrel,
- 18-karat red gold oscillating weight with black onyx applique and John HOWE logo
- Jewelling: 31 jewels
- Power reserve: 7 days
- Frequency: 21,600 v.p.h
Case
- 18-karat white gold, diameter 43 mm
- Height 13.10 mm
- “Pièce unique” (unique piece) engraved on the case-back
- Water resistance: To 3 bar (30 meters)
Dial
- Deep blue Grand Feu enamel and miniature painting of the John Howe dragon
- Hands:
- 18-karat white gold hours and minutes
- Seconds in blued steel
Strap
- Rolled-edge hand-made dark blue alligator
- Buckle: 18-karat white gold folding clasp
