Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Relief Carps
Les Ateliers d'Art Collection
Jaquet Droz introduces the Petite Heure Minute Relief Carps, paying homage to the koi carp symbol of love and long life. The carp is revered in Asia as an allegorical symbol to represent love, perseverance, longevity and virility.
Small groups of this highly-prized fish are often used to embellish ornamental ponds in the spirit of refinement and attention to detail that are characteristic of Chinese and Japanese aesthetics.
Such a scene has been minutely reproduced at a scale of 41mm, with the dial set over a tranquil pond of crystalline waters created through subtle layering of translucent blue enamel. Two lily pads float gracefully on the surface, crowned by a blooming lotus applied in relief, and hand-engraved gold reed stems rise from the waters.
Under the enamel, three elegant koi carp glide along in a spontaneous underwater ballet, standing out against the background of wave-ridged gold. The enamel lightens across the upper half of the watch face in gradually shaded colors underscored by an engraving of sky and birds. Here for the first time, Jaquet Droz presents an enameled balance weight decorated with a carp hand-engraved in bas-relief.
Limited Editions of 28 Pieces Each
The case, in 18kt red or white gold (the white gold version is set with 272 diamonds (1.05 carats), measures 41mm x 13.7mm. It has double sapphire crystals and it is water resistant to 30 meters.
Movement is the Swiss automatic Jaquet Droz in-house caliber 2653 with 28 jewels, 28,800 vph and a power reserve of 68 hours. It has an 18kt red or white gold rotor with a 22kt white gold applique with champlevé enamel and a carp depicted in bas-relief under the enamel in onyx or white mother-of-pearl.
Red gold verions: The dial is 18kt white gold with champlevé enamel and carps in bas-relief under the enamel, an 18kt red gold hand-engraved Lotus applique, hand-engraved decoration, and 18kt red gold ring, and onyx center. The hands are 18kt red gold.
White gold version: The dial is 18kt white gold with champlevé enamel and carps in bas-relief under enamel, 18kt white gold hand-engraved Lotus applique, hand-engraved decoration, 18kt white gold ring, mother-of-pearl center. The hands are blued steel.
It comes on a rolled-edge hand-made black or grey alligator leather strap with an 18kt gold ardillon buckle. The white gold buckle is set with 272 diamonds (1.05 carats).