Timeless Art: Jaquet Droz Showcases Its Mastery Of Enameling

Enameling is one of the oldest arts known to mankind, and can be traced back to Roman times. Its appearance in the world of haute horlogerie is just as storied, having made appearances on timepieces for nearly three centuries.

This year at Baselworld, Jaquet Droz showed off its mastery of this traditional art with the unveiling of three beautifully intricate models.

The 39mm Petite Heure Minute, the 50mm Pocket Watch and the 43mm Grande Seconde feature Paillonné enameling in a floral theme which marries azure and gold.

The manufacture’s mastery of this art form, as evidenced by these pieces, should come as no surprise to those acquainted with Jaquet Droz: the brand has been using the Grand Feu enamel process since the 18th century.

The process involves several firings at temperatures that can approach 1000 °C. The manufacture’s artisans must use their trained eyes to detect when the color is perfect and when the motif of gold paillons is set under the translucent enamel fondant.

The delicate ultramarine dials of each timepiece are complemented by blued steel hands, red gold cases and a blue or black alligator leather strap.

Each model is limited to an edition of eight pieces.

Photo credit: Haute Time.