Today we are pleased to present the "Loving Butterfly" from Jaquet Droz, a name with an extensive and fascinating history.
JAQUET DROZ
Pierre Jaquet-Droz lived from (1721-1790). Swiss-born, he lived in Paris, London and Geneva. He designed and built animated dolls, or automata, as a unique way to help his company sell watches and mechanical birds. His first workshop was situated in La Chaux de Fonds and was opened in 1738 when he was just seventeen years old. Far ahead of his time, Jaquet-Droz, realised the importance of branding and each movement bore a clover leaf engraving and two stars as a symbol of authenticity.
His genius was rooted not only in watchmaking but in his focus on automata and his approach to marketing. There were many watchmakers at this point in time but very few pushing the boundaries of mechanics. He saw his creations as a way to become noticed by the royal courts of Europe. Automata can be considered the predecessors of what we now call robots and many principles of the modern computer stem from these fantastical designs. Charles Babbage is generally credited as being the "father of the computer". Truly a genius in his own right, yet he was born the year following Jaquet-Droz's death.
The video below is an excerpt from the BBC programme "Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams" Professor Simon Schaffer examines "The Writer", a clockwork creation of Pierre Jaquet-Droz. To put a little perspective on this amazing creation: it was constructed in 1774, the year that explorer Matthew Flinders was born and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart celebrated his 18th birthday and wrote his 'Symphony No. 29 in A major'. It was four years after Captain Cook 'discovered' the East coast of Australia and four years before the First Fleet arrived in Botany Bay and was also two years prior to the United States signing the Declaration of Independence!
The Writer (see video above) has an input device to set tabs that form a programmable memory, 40 cams that represents the read only program, and a quill pen for output. He is able to write any custom text up to 40 letters long. The text is coded on a wheel where characters are selected one by one. He uses a goose feather to write, which he inks from time to time, including a shake of the wrist to prevent ink from spilling. His eyes follow the text being written, and the head moves when he takes some ink.
As his creations began to gain attention, his foresight proved correct and Droz became well known as his astonishing mechanisms fascinated the world's most important people: the kings and emperors of Europe, China, India and Japan.
He even set up a joint venture from his London workshop, with one of the very few trading companies that was already conducting business with the Forbidden City. To this day, that bond still exists with China.
The automata of Jaquet-Droz are also considered to be some of the finest examples of human mechanical problem solving. Three particularly complex, and still working and functional dolls are housed at the art and history museum in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, now known as the Jaquet-Droz automata. Alongside The Writer (made of 6000 pieces), the other two are The Musician (2500 pieces) and The Draughtsman (2000 pieces) all of which were created between 1768 and 1774.
An article mentioning a particular work of Jaquet-Droz appeared in the 29 September 1827 edition of The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and, Instruction
THE MIRROR
OF
LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION.
| VOL. X, NO. 275.] | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1827. | [PRICE 2d. |
MAGICAL CLOCK.
__________________________________________________________________________________Droz, a Genevian mechanic, once constructed a clock which was capable of the following surprising movements:—There were seen on it a negro, a dog, and a shepherd; when the clock struck, the shepherd played six tunes on his flute, and the dog approached and fawned upon him. This clock was exhibited to the King of Spain, who was delighted with it. "The gentleness of my dog," said Droz, "is his least merit; if your Majesty touch one of the apples, which you see in the shepherd's basket, you will admire the fidelity of this animal." The King took an apple, and the dog flew at his hand, and barked so loud, that the King's dog, which was in the room, began also to bark; at this the Courtiers, not doubting that it was an affair of witchcraft, hastily left the room, crossing themselves as they went out. The minister of Marine was the only one that ventured to stay. The king having desired him to ask the negro what o'clock it was, the minister obeyed, but he obtained no reply. Droz then observed, that the negro had not yet learned Spanish.
Not surprisingly, the name Droz became highly sought after among the wealthy. Jaquet Droz travelled the world and was happily invited by the reigning forces of the earth to work his magic, selling watches, both jeweled and classical, in the slipstream. While his automata were an incredible feat of mechanical engineering, they were essentially a marketing tool for his branded watches which, going by the pocket watch from 1785 pictured below, seemed quite capable of standing on their own reputation.
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| Jaquet Droz pocket watch, 1785 |
Pierre Jaquet-Droz died in 1790, leaving his legacy to his son. Sadly, he too died one year later in 1791 and the company all but disappeared. While there was still activity into the late 20th century, at this point, we shall move forward to the 21st century.
In 2001, the Jaquet Droz brand was acquired by mega corporation, the Swatch Group. Manuel Emch took the helm as CEO and set the direction that the new incarnation of Jaquet Droz would take. The brand realised impressive success, particularly in Asia, and the focus was set on the face of the watch always being the centre of attention, utilising many different materials, such as petrified wood, stone and rare minerals to create visual aesthetics. Superb finishing, intricate movements and complications are to be expected from any Jaquet Droz timepiece.
After setting the direction, Manuel Emch departed in 2009, handing the reins to Nicolas Hayek, co-founder, CEO and Chairman of the Board of the Swatch Group and its many brands including Swatch, Blancpain, Omega, Longines, Rado, Tissot, Calvin Klein, Breguet, Certina, Mido, Hamilton, Pierre Balmain and Lanco. Sadly, Nicolas Hayek died that year and the responsibility passed to his grandson, Marc Hayek who had already been the CEO of Blancpain and Breguet for many years. Thus, the Swatch Groups three most prestigious brands were brought together under one man. As with Blancpain and Breguet (both mentioned previously in our Countdown to Only Watch), Jaquet Droz only appears to be gathering more momentum and only time will tell where the master artisans will takes this highly respected brand.
Many of our Facebook fans will remember this video from earlier in the year, shared from the Jaquet Droz Facebook page. I received a lot of comments about just how amazing this piece is. The Jaquet Droz Minute Repeater Bird Automaton.
The "Loving Butterfly" combines the best know-how of the craftsmen from Jaquet Droz: Sculpture, engraving and miniature painting on a "grand feu" enamel dial give this exceptional timepiece an amazing presence and recalls the enchantment of the Age of Enlightenment.
From the Jaquet Droz website
For nearly three centuries, Jaquet Droz set time under the sign of wonder, excellence and creativity constantly renewed. At this unique philosophy, the house has also added a new dimension: generosity.
For many years, Jaquet Droz is partner of Only Watch charity event for the fight against muscular dystrophy. Today, the watch brand remains committed to the approach of this new edition, offering Loving The Butterfly. This exceptional watch, published in a single copy, will be auctioned in Monaco September 28, 2013.
From a historical pattern, designed once by one of the legendary machines designed by Pierre Jaquet-Droz in the 18th century, the Swiss watchmaker resurrects the magic of the Enlightenment for architecture and botany: the carriage in which is installed a cherub is pulled by a butterfly. On the one hand, a putto, the emblem of the Italian Renaissance and Baroque, on the other, a winged creature become a universal symbol of beauty, lightness and freedom. In the background, the princely palace of Monaco is represented painted tone on tone and gives a certain realism to the scene, which echoes the values defended by Jaquet Droz embodied here by that team to tenderness than ever dream: the right to innocence, the power of the imagination, and confidence in his own dreams.
This pattern of naturalistic and romantic poetry dresses the face of the Petite Heure Minute. To achieve this unique piece of Jaquet Droz craftsmen combined their best skills. First engraved and painted gold decor is working for the first time like a bas-relief, and then applied to the Grand Feu enamel dial. This technique provides an unreleased masterpiece beautiful volume. The legs of the butterfly are wire suspended gold, waving slightly wrist movement. Received a yellow gold case 43 mm in diameter, The Loving Butterfly has an oscillating weight specially revealed. The Only Watch name engraved on the bottom of the box, to remind the owner that special event.
Presented worldwide in the month of September, The Loving Butterfly join the shores of the Mediterranean to be sold during the 5th edition of Only Watch in Monaco. Already synonymous with virtuosity watch, it embodies the present philanthropy Jaquet Droz, its support for advanced medical research and continued trust in a smiling and serene future.
Catalogue Description:
| Jaquet Droz, LES ATELIER S D’ART , THE LOVING BUTTERFLY for Only Watch Jaquet Droz, LES ATELIERS D’ART, THE LOVING BUTTERFLY, Ref. J005031201 A fine and unique, self-winding, 18k yellow gold wristwatch with unique Grand Feu | |
| C. 18-carat yellow gold, Engraving Only Watch and Numerus Clausus of 1 on the case-back. D. Ivory Grand Feu enameled dial, miniature painting on enamel, butterfly applique in 22-carat yellow gold, engraved, patinated, cloisonné enamel, Numerus Clausus N° I/I indicated on the dial, off-centered hours and minutes, 18-carat yellow gold hands. M. Jaquet Droz 2653, 28 jewels, self-winding mechanical movement, double barrel, 22-carat white gold oscillating weight, 68 hour power reserve. | |
| Estimate: 30,000 EUR - 50,000 EUR |
Links to all the articles in our countdown can be found on the original post
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