Jaquet Droz Ceramic Watches Embody Individualistic Elegance

It’s neat to see what Jaquet Droz has done with ceramics.  While most brands (Hublot and IWC, for example) have gone the purely sports-based route when using this fascinating and somewhat Darth Vader-esque material, Jaquet Droz has held to their own successful theme of individualistic elegance. My favorite of JD’s ceramic cased watches is the just-announced Quantieme Perpetuel Ceramique, which has to be one of the most strikingly original complicated dress watches ever created.   ( Click here to read an article on it)

Watches with perpetual calendar are known for the diverse way in which they can present their various calendar functions.  What’s particularly nice about Jaquet Droz’s approach is the way in which the retrograde indicators for day and date create a kind of “butterfly wing” symmetry.  Add to that the elegant vertical subdials for small seconds and month (along with a discreet circular leap year window) and you have a display which is easy to read yet very, very handsome and clear.  In the Quantieme Perpetuel Ceramique, tiny red accents on the tips of the various calendar hands add a very subtle–yet captivating–touch of sportiness.

Jaquet Droz dials are all masterpieces of craftsmanship and good taste, and this one keeps that delightful tradition alive.  The screw-secured satined outer ring looks superb with the deep black center, the recessed subdials, and those amazingly beautiful hour and minute hands.  Despite the complexity of the watch, a sense of calm and sublime serenity reigns.  The alluring ceramic case certainly adds to that effect as well.  Difficult to describe, this ultra-hard and nearly scratch proof material rather reminds me of a cross between graphite and mercury.  It’s stealthy and cool, but very elegant.  You could wear the very fine Jaquet Droz Quantieme Perpetuel Ceramique with jeans and a T-shirt and not be overpowered by your watch, but it would look equally superb with a tailored suit and a custom dress shirt.

More about Jaquet Droz:

Jaquet Droz brand & timepiece collections

Jaquet Droz product blogs

Jaquet Droz news