Jaquet Droz La Ronde Des Baisers Automaton

Quick specs Jaquet Droz La Ronde Des Baisers Automaton
Price: approx. $ 330,000 | approx. € 315.000 | approx. £ 263,000 | CHF 293’000
Size: 43 mm
Reference: J0328330241 – unique piece

The Jaquet Droz La Ronde des Baisers Automaton is a singular timepiece that combines avant-garde artistry with precise Swiss watchmaking. Created in collaboration with French fashion icon Chantal Thomass, the automaton is both a tribute to romanticism and a feat of mechanical craftsmanship. Its purpose is to explore the playful and poetic dynamics of movement and design, making it a collector’s piece unlike any other.

Jaquet Droz, founded in 1738, is renowned for its automata and artistic watches. Its history is defined by innovation, from pioneering exports in the Age of Enlightenment to joining the Swatch Group in 2000. Under CEO Alain Delamuraz, the brand emphasizes disruptive design, focusing on personalized artistry.

Chantal Thomass, a French designer known for blending femininity and boldness, lent her creative ethos to this project. Her signature black, white, and red aesthetic, combined with her exploration of materials, set the tone for this unique collaboration. The union of these two creative forces birthed a watch that celebrates their shared heritage of craftsmanship and daring design.

Design and Materials of the Automaton

The La Ronde des Baisers Automaton measures 43 millimeters in diameter, from gold. It features an onyx dial crafted with meticulous marquetry. The centerpiece is a chequerboard pattern made of black onyx and cacholong, an opal known for its opaque, white appearance and porcelain-like texture. The intricate mosaic uses 34 individual components of varying heights, from 2.25 millimeters to 0.45 millimeters, to create a stunning three-dimensional effect.

The automaton includes a moving peripheral disc, activated by the push-button at 3 o’clock, integrated in the crown. The disc, adorned with 376 snow-set diamonds totaling 0.63 carats, rotates in mesmerizing spirals for up to four minutes. This kinetic element interacts with gold-sculpted lips, another homage to Thomass’s artistic vision.

Movement Details

At the heart of the La Ronde des Baisers Automaton lies the Jaquet Droz caliber 2653 AT2, a manual movement with a 68-hour power reserve. The automaton relies on two barrels, distinct from the two barrels dedicated to timekeeping. This separation ensures the timepiece maintains precision while animating its artistic features.

JD uses this movement in more of their timepieces with automatons, like this Jaquet Droz The Rolling Stones Automaton Only Watch 2023. The watch is paired with a black strap made from high-quality leather.

Pricing of the Jaquet Droz La Ronde Des Baisers Automaton

The Jaquet Droz La Ronde Des Baisers Automaton is available at an exclusive price point of nearly 300’000 Swiss francs. It reflects its bespoke craftsmanship and intricate design.

Comparable haute horlogerie pieces with automaton features, such as those by Van Cleef & Arpels or Bovet, often occupy a similar price range. Collectors seeking unique artistry in their watches may find this piece competitive within its niche.