As a general rule, the watches crossing the block at the Only Watch charity auction respect a colour code and in some way symbolise childhood and hope. This year Jaquet Droz has decided to do things differently and reach out… to the child we once were, and in particular those who grow up in the 1970s.
The idea is to revive some early musical memories and the excitement of first hearing the raw energy of the Rolling Stones. The Seventies are when the “the greatest rock ’n roll band of all time” recorded some of the finest albums in its history – and in the history of modern music: bangers such as Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main St. and It’s Only Rock ’n Roll.
In a spin
In celebration of this most memorable decade, Jaquet Droz has created The Rolling Stones Automaton – Only Watch 2023. It is a reflection of the new, irreverent, disruptive face of the brand while retaining the automata magic that is the bedrock of the atelier, in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The hours and minutes dial at 12 o’clock forms a first circle, above a second central circle depicting an album cover. At the press of a pusher in the crown, a third circle is set in motion, making eight rotations lasting 30 seconds each. At the same time, the Stones “hot lips” logo springs into action, with the tongue moving up and down, side to side.
This revolving disc is decorated with eight vibrant shades which, as they turn, recreate the whirling appearance of that kids’ favourite, the spinning top. Waves of fabulous colour wash over the dial in a smooth, flowing movement. Power reserve, at 9 o’clock, is shown by a cam driving the articulated arm and stylus of a turntable.
Shades of rock ‘n roll
Jaquet Droz is, of course, a master of the métiers d’art and has brought this expertise to bear to recreate the universe of the Rolling Stones for this Only Watch timepiece. Forget muted colours and conventional motifs. All the shades of the 2023 Only Watch colour scheme are represented in the bright, vivid tones typical of children’s toys, mixed in with the glam and glitter of a 1972 Stones concert.
The scene is recreated in meticulous detail. Fans can marvel at two of Ronnie Wood’s guitars, Charlie Watts’ drum kit and another guitar, that of Keith Richards. Each instrument is a perfect miniature reproduction of the original, hand-carved from a block of gold then painstakingly painted by hand. To give some idea of the intricacy, Mick Jagger’s harmonica measures just tenths of a millimetre.
For fun, the Rolling Stones tongue (also hand-painted) glows in the dark… like the night-light that sees young boys and girls safely off to sleep or the ray of hope that comes from research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy: the deserving cause which the Only Watch auction supports.
