The Jaquet Droz Date Astrale watch takes an unusual–and extremely beautiful–approach to indicating this most ubiquitous of supplementary functions.  A semi-circular cut in the black opaline dial bears the days of the month.  A tiny round brilliant diamond gradually travels over this scale, indicating the date by its position; at the month end, it snaps instantly back to its zero starting position.  This is a charming and refreshingly novel retrograde display, and perfectly keeps with the many fine and unusual luxury timepieces introduced by this exclusive collector-oriented brand.

The Jaquet Droz Astrale watch is also special due to its 39mm stainless steel case.  The house of Jaquet Droz seldom employs steel in its exclusive output of luxury timepieces, preferring 18K gold, and occasionally platinum.   The Astrale is one of my favorite of Jaquet Droz introductions of 2007, and keeps me in anticipation of what classy and strikingly designed specialties the brand will offer us at this year’s Basel exhibit.