Jaquet Droz takes a strong stand on preserving art traditions in this modern world by upholding the painstakingly tedious technique of enamel dial painting. Their master craftsmen does all the painting by hand, via a microscope and each one-of-a-kind dial is usually completed only after a week.
Friends of the media were invited to Adrift by David Myers at Marina Bay Sands on 7th July to share an exclusive and exciting experience of enamel painting in addition to viewing the Novelties of Atelier d’Art Collection of 2017. It was indeed a unique opportunity for us to learn how the Master Painter creates individual watch dials with miniature enamel painting and become an artist for a day.
The stage is set with a real life-size dial, palette of enamel paint, brush and an enlarged picture for reference.
The dial came with light markings of what needs to be painted.
Mr Le Ngoc Thanh, Painter-Designer of Ateliers d’Art represented the Jaquet Droz artist team and showed a demonstration on how brush strokes should be applied on the dial. He shared that before the painting can commence, the master craftsmen of Jaquet Droz will prepare and cut their brushes to the detail that it can paint the pupil of an eye of the subject. After a week or so of the actual painting, the enamel dial will have to go through a kiln to set the colours in place.
Mr Le Ngoc Thanh, Painter-Designer of Ateliers d’Art showing the class how a dial is painted painstakingly via a microscope.
Mr Le Ngoc Thanh demonstrates the painting on the dial of the 2017 novelty – the Petite Heure Minute Lion.
Every single brush stroke is applied on painstakingly with utmost patience.
Painting is done via a microscope by the master craftsmen.
Immediately upon walking in the private room, we were put at ease by the lovely smell of lavender. (We later learnt that lavender oil is used as a solvent for enamel paint.) However, when the hands-on painting started, that was not enough to relieve the apprehension that we were going through. Holding on to the fine, slender brush, every single stroke made on the minuscule brush head suddenly seemed to be of great importance on the equally tiny dial as the medium.
We spent about an hour painting on our individual dials, and of course with no doubt, there was incessant comparisons around the table. Some did much better than others with their painted dials looking visually with greater resemblance compared t0 the original; some had given up from the get-go and had gone on to paint their own designs instead. But for the majority of us who had followed the standard “Tiger” design, all of us agreed unanimously that the painting is much tougher than it initially seemed.
Friends of the media trying their hands on enamel dial painting.
The session was accompanied by glasses of champagne which probably helped to bring out the artistic side of us.
Our writer Chelsey, determined to rival Chief Editor Peter’s dial painted in January at Factory la Chaux du Fonds this year.
The original Petite Heure Minute Tiger dial.
We ended the workshop after our dials were “baked” and returned to us as a souvenir, afterwhich we had the opportunity to admire the real works produced by the master craftsmen for the 2017 enamel dial novelties.
Novelties of Atelier d’Art Collection 2017
This year’s Jaquet Droz Ateliers d’Art collection features a lion, flamingo and koi carp, painted against the black Grand Feu enamel, enhancing the contrast of vibrant miniature painting.
These majestic, spectacular and symbolic creatures from Africa, the Caribbean and Asia come together to form the family of the new versions of the Petite Heure Minute. They were birthed in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the cradle of the brand, and combine miniature painting and black Grand Feu enamel to awaken the desire to travel to new horizons. These three watches resonate with Pierre Jaquet-Droz’s enthusiasm for discovery, who was known to be a keen and curious traveler as he had lived during the times of the Age of Enlightenment.
New versions of the “Petite Heure Minute” 2017
These watches are now available at just 28 pieces for each version and come with a certificate of authenticity from the Ateliers d’Art, signed by the artisan whose time was devoted to its creation. These Petite Heure Minute watches are fitted with a self-winding mechanical movement and featuring a 68-hour power reserve and they embody both present modernity and timeless creativity – the unique equation that has characterized the soul of Jaquet Droz for almost three hundred years.
Petite Heure Minute – Flamingo
Petite Heure Minute – Carps
Petite Heure Minute – Lion
Technical Specifications and Details
PETITE HEURE MINUTE PINK FLAMINGO
Reference: J005013217
Description:
Black Grand Feu enamel dial with miniature painting
18-karat red gold case set with 248 diamonds, total of 1.74 carats
Self-winding mechanical movement
Power reserve of 68 hours
Diameter 39 mm
Numerus Clausus of 28
Movement:
Jaquet Droz 2653.P, self-winding mechanical movement, balance-spring and pallet-fork horns in silicon, double barrel, flat bridges
18-karat red gold oscillating weight
28 jewels
Case:
18-karat red gold set with 248 diamonds, total of 1.74 carats
Diameter Ø 39 mm
Height 12.23 mm
Individual limited serial number engraved on the case-back
PETITE HEURE MINUTE CARPS
Reference: J005013218
Description:
Black Grand Feu enamel dial with miniature painting
18-karat red gold case
Self-winding mechanical movement
Power reserve of 68 hours
Diameter 39 mm
Numerus Clausus of 28
Movement:
Jaquet Droz 2653.P, self-winding mechanical movement, balance-spring and pallet-fork horns in silicon, double barrel, flat bridges
18-karat red gold oscillating weight
28 jewels
Case:
18-karat red gold
Diameter Ø 39 mm
Height 12.23 mm
Individual limited serial number engraved on the case-back
PETITE HEURE MINUTE LION
Reference: J005033314
Description:
Black Grand Feu enamel dial with miniature painting
18-karat red gold case
Self-winding mechanical movement
Power reserve of 68 hours
Diameter 39 mm
Numerus Clausus of 28
Movement:
Jaquet Droz 2653.P, self-winding mechanical movement, balance-spring and pallet-fork horns in silicon, double barrel, flat bridges
18-karat red gold oscillating weight
28 jewels.
Case:
18-karat red gold
Diameter Ø 39 mm
Height 12.23 mm
Individual limited serial number engraved on the case-back
