To mark its 24th anniversary, GMT Magazine is offering 24 watch enthusiasts an unprecedented week-long adventure from Geneva to Schaffhausen, via Neuchâtel and the Vallée de Joux. Participants will enjoy exclusive access to the workshops and manufactures where exceptional timepieces are born. Here’s a sneak peek of Day 3, which begins with a morning visit to Zenith and continues with an afternoon at the Jaquet Droz Manufacture.
Artistic crafts, the essence of creation
A short drive from Le Locle brings you to the outskirts of La Chaux-de-Fonds, where the Jaquet Droz Manufacture, part of the Swatch Group, stands – an elongated contemporary building sheathed entirely in glass. Step inside and you’re immediately enveloped in an atmosphere that deftly balances disruption and tradition. Disruption, because that has been Jaquet Droz’s philosophy since 2021, encapsulated in their motto “Disruptive Legacy”. And tradition, because the brand founded by Pierre Jaquet-Droz in 1738 remains committed to fostering and reinventing rare artistic crafts. These time-honoured skills are injected into unique, mostly bespoke pieces that run the gamut between pure classicism and avant-garde exuberance.
Among these crafts, the Manufacture’s artisans have mastered Grand Feu enamelling, creating dials with unparalleled colour and texture. Once completed, these dials become virtually indestructible, their lustre preserved for centuries. Miniature painting offers intricate, hand-crafted decorations that often require weeks to complete. While the techniques remain traditional, the designs evolve: Jaquet Droz is known for personalising its pieces with provocative flair.
Engraving and micro-sculpture are also integral to Jaquet Droz’s repertoire of rare craftsmanship. Whether worked on gold, platinum or minerals, in relief or intaglio, these skills bring exceptional automata to life, creating moving tableaux on richly decorated dials. The list of crafts doesn’t end there; gem-setting, intaglio, mosaic work and many others flourish within the Jaquet Droz workshops, with new skills continually added to meet creative demands.
A unique experience
Visitors to the manufacture have the privilege of witnessing every stage of watch creation: assembly, adjustment, engraving, miniature painting, finishing and quality control. It’s a captivating experience, made even more special by Jaquet Droz’s exquisite hospitality. With no boutiques or retail outlets, the workshop serves as the brand’s sole showcase, welcoming collectors both in person and virtually.
In this “phygital” age, Jaquet Droz has joined forces with Studio 8, an innovative workshop where customers and artisans can collaborate remotely on new creations. A prime example is the Tourbillon Skelet Ceramic Skull Pink Pointillisme watch, adorned with over 3,000 dots of hot pink paint, each applied by hand using incredibly fine brushes, some no thicker than a hair’s breadth. From initial brief to 3D renderings and final approval, Studio 8’s 4K cameras help bring collectors’ wildest dreams to life.
The Jaquet Droz workshop visit concludes with a wine tasting hosted by CEO Alain Delamuraz – a perfect opportunity for participants to make the most of their afternoon, before heading to a surprise dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel Beaulac in Neuchâtel.
If you’d like to join the GMT Watch Safari, from 27 October to 1 November 2024, you can sign up here!
