Haute horlogerie meets contemporary artistry in a compelling new creation designed to support the next generation of creative talent. Jaquet Droz has officially revealed the Petite Heure Minute Les Volumes du Temps, a unique timepiece crafted specifically for the upcoming TimeForArt charity auction. What makes this piece particularly notable is its collaborative genesis: the striking dial architecture was conceived not by an in-house veteran, but by Fiona Djukanovic, a student artist studying at the prestigious Académie de Meuron in Neuchâtel.
The timepiece departs dramatically from the brand’s traditional visual language. Rather than relying on conventional central hands to track the passage of time, this unique creation utilizes an innovative dragging hour and minute system. Set against a deeply sculptural, three-dimensional dial, the watch showcases the mastery of métiers d’art—particularly grand feu enameling—for which the historic Swiss watchmaker is universally celebrated. Under the guidance of Jaquet Droz CEO Alain Delamuraz, the project bridges the gap between centuries-old decorative traditions and the fresh perspective of a rising artistic talent.
Initial Thoughts and Design Philosophy
At first glance, the Petite Heure Minute Les Volumes du Temps immediately establishes its pedigree by drawing deeply upon Jaquet Droz’s renowned expertise in decorative crafts. However, it diverges significantly from the brand’s familiar aesthetic formats primarily through the visionary work of Ms. Djukanovic. The dial features a striking X-shaped composition that creates a dramatic interplay of depth, light, and shadow. This geometric layout reveals two distinct apertures: one dedicated to the dragging hours, and another positioned for the dragging minutes.
Functionally, the time display borrows its innovative mechanics from the Ophidian Hour concept introduced by the brand. Fitted with a specialized module adapted to a variant of the familiar Jaquet Droz caliber JD2653, the watch ensures that both the hour and minute discs advance gradually and continuously, avoiding the abrupt jumps typical of traditional jumping-hour complications.
Beneath the dial architecture beats a movement with a rich historical lineage. The underlying caliber is a direct descendant of the legendary Frédéric Piguet caliber 1150. This twin-barrel automatic architecture has proven its reliability and performance across the horological industry, serving discerning luxury manufactures such as Blancpain and Urban Jürgensen for nearly four decades. By pairing this robust and thin mechanical base with a cutting-edge display module, Jaquet Droz has ensured that the watch performs as brilliantly as it looks.
Beyond its mechanical evolution, Ms. Djukanovic’s design philosophy combines various rich shades of blue with meticulous champlevé and flinqué enamel techniques layered over hand-engraved surfaces. This multi-tiered approach emphasizes the intense volume and structural complexity of the dial’s architecture. Yet, despite the decorative extravagance inherent in such intricate handcraftsmanship, the design maintains a profound sense of restraint. By Jaquet Droz’s usual standards, which often favor elaborate, highly representational, and animated creations, this abstract geometric masterpiece leans toward a striking minimalism.
The Masterful Art of Enamel and Geometry
The creation of the dial is a masterclass in traditional handcrafts, demanding dozens of hours of meticulous labor from the brand’s master artisans. The enameling follows the complex, sloping contours of the dial architecture, using carefully controlled color palettes and reflective properties to accentuate varying heights across the surface. This three-dimensional effect is heavily emphasized by two raised triangular plates that taper dramatically from their central peaks outward to the edge of the dial. These prominent plates feature carefully chamfered and brushed edges, and before a single drop of enamel is applied, they are painstakingly hand-engraved with a delicate sunray motif.
Nestled directly below these elevated sectors sit 40 individual parallelepipeds. These geometric, block-like shapes form an intricate tiled pattern positioned both above and below the time-display discs. Once the firing process is complete, these elements are polished perfectly flush with the raised borders. The resulting finish is a mirror-smooth dial plate that boasts vibrant, permanent colors resistant to fading over time.
To maintain visual harmony across the entire display, the time-discs themselves are also treated with a hand-applied sunray finish. This thoughtful detail ensures that as the wearer moves the wrist, dynamic and ever-changing reflections ripple across the various physical levels of the dial, transforming the static act of reading time into a kinetic visual experience.
Supporting Young Artists Through TimeForArt
The debut of the Petite Heure Minute Les Volumes du Temps carries a profound philanthropic mission. Now in its third edition, TimeForArt has established itself as a premier charitable platform within the global watchmaking community. Organized as a curated selection of exclusive charity lots, the initiative will take center stage at Phillips during its upcoming The New York Watch Auction XV, scheduled to take place on December 5, 2026.
This year’s prestigious roster features 26 participating independent and historic watch brands, each contributing a unique, one-of-a-kind timepiece to the auction block. All proceeds generated from the sale of these exceptional lots are dedicated to supporting young and emerging artists through the initiatives of the Swiss Institute. By partnering with the Académie de Meuron and featuring a student’s design, Jaquet Droz has deeply aligned the spirit of the watch with the very cause it seeks to benefit.
Industry analysts and collectors are already taking note of the unique piece, which carries a pre-sale auction estimate of CHF 100,000 to CHF 150,000. Given its unique combination of mechanical ingenuity, student-led artistic design, master-level enameling, and charitable purpose, it is expected to generate significant interest among international collectors when it goes under the hammer in New York.
Key Facts and Specifications
Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Les Volumes Du Temps
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Diameter: 41 mm
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Height: 13.78 mm
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Case Material: 18k white gold
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Crystal: Sapphire crystal
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Water Resistance: 30 meters
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Movement: Caliber JD2653.SI
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Functions: Dragging hours and minutes
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Winding: Automatic
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Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
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Power Reserve: 68 hours
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Strap: Patterned leather paired with an 18k red gold folding clasp
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Edition: Unique piece
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Availability: To be auctioned at TimeForArt on December 5, 2026
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Auction Estimate: CHF 100,000–150,000
