The Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Quantième takes on a new persona

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For nearly three centuries, the Grande Seconde has had one of the most unique designs in Fine Watchmaking. Its off-centre display combines a seamless view of the hours and minutes with the precision of a large second hand. The worthy heir of this original collection, the Grande Seconde Quantième now includes a 41 mm diameter.

Long-awaited by collectors, this new size was a chance for Jaquet Droz to take a fresh approach to several design elements. This makes the Grande Seconde Quantième 41 mm an authentic creation, and by no means is it simply a smaller version of an existing model. Everything, or almost everything, has been given a second look. The redesign begins with the case itself, which is now 41 mm. It was thinned down slightly to make it lighter on the wrist and more compatible with its new diameter. This serves to preserve the proportions, and most remarkably the original piece’s balance and modern feel.

New finishes were also specially developed for this collection. There is a wide range of Grande Seconde Quantième 41 mm watches with Grand Feu enamel dials, a long-practiced art Jaquet Droz has mastered and one of its most recognizable signatures. The dials now come in ivory tones as well as and deep blue, burgundy and anthracite. Each shade was specially crafted for this latest collection, the result extensive research on enamel powders and hand-firing techniques to produce the exact color variations desired. The date is displayed at 6 o’clock with an 18-carat red gold applique. In addition to these four colors, there is also a matte black dial, a titanium gray sandblasted version and a last one in sandblasted silver. No fewer than seven models in all are being unveiled at once, forming an entire collection of Grande Seconde Quantième 41 mm timepieces.

Each distinctly different variation gives collectors a chance to satisfy their personal tastes. The first four versions with classic watchmaking aesthetics are on offer with the case, appliques and oscillating weight in red gold on an alligator strap matching the Grand Feu enamel dial. The other three feature a contemporary steel case suited for more modern finishes such as matching velvety soft calfskin straps and gold, rhodium-plated or colored appliques that strike dramatic contrasts. They include an openworked oscillating weight for optimal rewinding and an unobstructed view of the hand-assembled Jaquet Droz self-winding movement that ensures a nearly three-day power reserve (68 hours). Like almost all of Jaquet Droz’s modern-day creations, a silicon balance spring is used to control the isochronism and make the timepiece resistant to temperature changes, magnetic fields and shock. With these seven new models, Jaquet Droz is ushering the Grande Seconde into the 21st century in the utmost of style while showcasing the novelty of a design with lines that follow every curve of its time.

Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde QuantièmeTechnical Specifications

GRANDE SECONDE QUANTIÈME MATTE BLACK

REFERENCE

J007020349

DESCRIPTION

“Matte black dial, 18-karat white gold indexes with rhodium-plated applique.
Stainless steel case.
Pointer-type date display at 6 o’clock.
Self-winding mechanical movement.
Power reserve of 68 hours.
Diameter 41 mm.”

MOVEMENT

Jaquet Droz 2660Q2, self-winding mechanical movement, silicon balance spring and pallet horns, double barrel, oscillating weight in heavy metal

INDICATIONS

Off-centred hours and minutes at 12 o’clock
Large off-centered second at 6 o’clock
Pointer-type date display at 6 o’clock

JEWELING

30 jewels

POWER RESERVE

68 hours

FREQUENCY

28,800 v.p.h.

CASE

Stainless steel case
Diameter 41 mm
Height 12.10 mm
Individual serial number engraved on the case-back

WATER RESISTANCE

To 3 bar (30 meters)

DIAL

Matte black dial
Rhodium-plated applique
18-karat white gold indexes

HANDS

Rhodium-plated hours, minutes, seconds and date
Date with lacquered red tip

STRAP

Rolled-edge hand-made black calf leather

CLASP

Stainless steel folding clasp

GRANDE SECONDE QUANTIÈME TITANIUM GRAY

REFERENCE

J007020350

DESCRIPTION

“Titanium gray sand-blasted dial, 18-karat white gold indexes and applique with blue treatment.
Stainless steel case.
Pointer-type date display at 6 o’clock.
Self-winding mechanical movement.
Power reserve of 68 hours.
Diameter 41 mm.”

MOVEMENT

Jaquet Droz 2660Q2, self-winding mechanical movement, silicon balance spring and pallet horns, double barrel, oscillating weight in heavy metal

INDICATIONS

Off-centered hours and minutes at 12 o’clock
Large off-centered second at 6 o’clock
Pointer-type date display at 6 o’clock

JEWELING

30 jewels

POWER RESERVE

68 hours

FREQUENCY

28,800 v.p.h.

CASE

Stainless steel case
Diameter 41 mm
Height 12.10 mm
Individual serial number engraved on the case-back

WATER RESISTANCE

To 3 bar (30 meters)

DIAL

Titanium gray sand-blasted dial
Applique with blue treatment
Indexes in 18-karat white gold with blue treatment

HANDS

Blued steel hours, minutes, seconds and date
Date with lacquered red tip

STRAP

Rolled-edge hand-made dark blue calf leather

CLASP

Stainless steel folding clasp

GRANDE SECONDE QUANTIÈME SILVER

REFERENCE

J007020351

DESCRIPTION

“Silver sand-blasted dial with 18-karat white gold indexes and applique with gray treatment.
Stainless steel case.
Pointer-type date display at 6 o’clock.
Self-winding mechanical movement.
Power reserve of 68 hours.
Diameter 41 mm.”

MOVEMENT