Jaquet Droz Dragon Automaton x John Howe

The culmination of three years of work. A unique collaboration in watchmaking. A custom-made creation that embodies the vision of Jaquet Droz by bringing the extraordinary and the wonderful to life.

The name John Howe is not the most well-known, but most are familiar with his universe and designs: John Howe is the artistic designer for Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" trilogies. A fantasy prodigy who has lived in Neuchâtel for 30 years, and who is once again in the spotlight with "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power", which will be released on September 2nd.

Jaquet Droz and John Howe have much in common - the ability to create extraordinary worlds, to give life to wonderful things and emotions, to create animations that speak to the heart and soul - and this is what has brought them together. The ability to astonish, to amaze, to move.

Together, Jaquet Droz and John Howe worked as they have always done - with paper, pencil, and lots of ideas. The theme of their watchmaking collaboration soon became clear: the Dragon. It traverses John Howe's universe as it does millennia, cultures and continents.

Jaquet Droz wanted this Dragon to be alive. And beyond that, with a total of 9 animations, it is probably one of the most complex modern automaton watches ever designed. The sequence that animates it is random, in order to preserve all its magic and mystery. The sacred animal's spine undulates like its tail; its eye and jaw open and close; its tongue moves; its crest rises and falls; its claws grasp a continuously rotating stone.

In accordance with the new Jaquet Droz Vision 8.0, the manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds now only produce unique orders for clients who are themselves unique.

The 43 mm case is finished in the gold of your choice, and Jaquet Droz is already working on the opportunity of using other materials, such as sapphire. The case can either be engraved or left blank. The solid dial can be fully customized, engraved or replaced by a medallion in the stone of your choice. The Dragon, also made of gold and entirely engraved by hand, can have its scales more or less accentuated. It would be futile to list all the possibilities, as they are nearly limitless.

In addition, Jaquet Droz is currently finalizing a brand new phygital solution, installed right in the heart of its head quarter. Open and connected, it will allow clients to see their own Dragon Automatons being created. This immersive experience is a secret door to some of the richest Métiers d'Art in Fine Watchmaking. They are masterpieces of unique watches with very high added value, embodying the Philosophy of the Unique that has guided the disruptive spirit of Jaquet Droz since 1738.

Technical specifications

Jaquet Droz Automaton Dragon Onyx/MOP

Reference: J0327330011

Unique piece 1/1

Case

• Material: Hand-engraved 18-karat red gold case, with black treatment in the engraving
• Diameter: 43 mm
• Thickness: 16.96 mm
• Customization, identified as a unique piece by an engraving made by hand on the case-back
• Water-resistant to 30 meters

Dial and hands

• Onyx dial and subdial, mountain motif in 18-karat white gold and hand-painted, engraved mother-of-pearl
• Dragon elements in hand-engraved 18-karat red gold with gray treatment
• Hand-painted steel eye and tongue
• Ball made from labradorite
• 18-karat red gold hands

Movement

• Jaquet Droz 6150
• Self-winding mechanical movement
• Silicon balance spring and pallet horns, flat bridges
• 18-karat red gold oscillating weight with signature JH and black treatment.
• Automaton with animation of different parts of the dragon, push-button automaton triggering mechanism
• Number of jewels: 78 jewels for the automaton movement + 29 jewels for the hour and minute movement
• Frequency: 21'600 vph (3 Hz)
• Power reserve of 38 hours

Functions/Indications

• Off-centered hours and minutes
• Hand-wound mechanical automaton movement with push-button triggering mechanism.
• Mechanical automaton with 9 different animated elements for the dragon: the crest moves, the mouth opens, the tongue comes out, the eye opens and closes, the dorsal section and tail undulate, the dragon's foot moves down towards the ball, and the ball spins around. The animation cycle lasts 10 to 15 seconds. 

Strap and buckle

• Rolled-edge hand-made black alligator
• 18k red gold folding clasp

MSRP: Price on request

Technical specifications

Jaquet Droz Automaton Dragon M.O.P.

Reference: J0327330031

Unique piece 1/1

Case

• Material: Hand-engraved 18-karat red gold case
• Diameter: 43 mm
• Thickness: 16.96 mm
• Customization, identified as a unique piece by an engraving made by hand on the case-back
• Water-resistant to 30 meters

Dial and hands

• Openworked dial and white mother-of-pearl subdial
• Hand-engraved dragon elements in 18-karat red gold
• Hand-painted steel eye and tongue
• Labradorite ball
• 18-karat red gold hands

Movement

• Jaquet Droz 6150
• Self-winding mechanical movement
• Silicon balance spring and pallet horns, flat bridges
• 18-karat red gold oscillating weight with signature JH and black treatment.
• Automaton with animation of different parts of the dragon, push-button automaton triggering mechanism
• Number of jewels: 78 jewels for the automaton movement + 29 jewels for the hour and minute movement
• Frequency: 21'600 vph (3 Hz)
• Power reserve of 38 hours

Functions/Indications

• Off-centered hours and minutes
• Hand-wound mechanical automaton movement with push-button triggering mechanism.
• Mechanical automaton with 9 different animated elements for the dragon: the crest moves, the mouth opens, the tongue comes out, the eye opens and closes, the dorsal section and tail undulate, the dragon's foot moves down towards the ball, and the ball spins around. The animation cycle lasts 10 to 15 seconds. 

Strap and buckle

• Red rubber strap
• 18k red gold folding clasp

MSRP: Price on request

Technical specifications

Jaquet Droz Automaton Dragon Onyx Dial

Reference: J0327330041

Unique piece 1/1

Case

• Material: Hand-engraved 18-karat red gold case
• Diameter: 43 mm
• Thickness: 16.96 mm
• Customization, identified as a unique piece by an engraving made by hand on the case-back
• Water-resistant to 30 meters

Dial and hands

• Openworked dial and white mother-of-pearl subdial
• Hand-engraved dragon elements in 18-karat red gold
• Hand-painted steel eye and tongue
• Labradorite ball
• 18-karat red gold hands

Movement

• Jaquet Droz 6150
• Self-winding mechanical movement
• Silicon balance spring and pallet horns, flat bridges
• 18-karat red gold oscillating weight with signature JH and black treatment.
• Automaton with animation of different parts of the dragon, push-button automaton triggering mechanism
• Number of jewels: 78 jewels for the automaton movement + 29 jewels for the hour and minute movement
• Frequency: 21'600 vph (3 Hz)
• Power reserve of 38 hours

Functions/Indications

• Off-centered hours and minutes
• Hand-wound mechanical automaton movement with push-button triggering mechanism.
• Mechanical automaton with 9 different animated elements for the dragon: the crest moves, the mouth opens, the tongue comes out, the eye opens and closes, the dorsal section and tail undulate, the dragon's foot moves down towards the ball, and the ball spins around. The animation cycle lasts 10 to 15 seconds. 

Strap and buckle

• Black rubber strap
• 18k red gold folding clasp

MSRP: Price on request

For more information, please visit jaquet-droz.com