The world of haute horlogerie continually seeks to blur the boundaries between mechanical timekeeping and fine art, a pursuit that often yields extraordinary collaborations. In anticipation of the upcoming TimeForArt charity auction, Jaquet Droz has introduced a remarkable creation: the Petite Heure Minute Les Volumes du Temps. This unique timepiece is not only a showcase of the brand’s storied mastery of métiers d’art, but it also represents a creative bridge to the next generation of artistic talent, having been penned by a student artist at the prestigious Académie de Meuron.
Departing from conventional central hands, the watch features an innovative display utilizing dragging hour and minute discs. This distinctive layout is paired with a sculptural, highly architectural dial that highlights the elaborate enamelling techniques for which Jaquet Droz has long been celebrated. Designed for a charitable initiative dedicated to supporting artists, the watch stands as a testament to both traditional Swiss craftsmanship and forward-thinking design.
Initial Thoughts and Artistic Vision
The Petite Heure Minute Les Volumes du Temps draws deeply on Jaquet Droz’s historical expertise in decorative arts, most notably its mastery of grand feu enamel. However, what sets this unique piece apart from the brand’s familiar commercial format is its striking dial design. Conceived by Fiona Djukanovic, a talented student at the Académie de Meuron in Neuchâtel, the dial breaks away from predictable geometry.
The composition centers around an X-shaped architectural framework that reveals two distinct apertures. One window is dedicated to the dragging hours, while the other houses the dragging minutes. This functional display borrows its mechanical logic from the Ophidian Hour introduced by the brand previously, integrating a specialized module fitted to a variant of the reliable Jaquet Droz caliber JD2653. True to the mechanics of this system, both the hour and minute discs advance gradually and continuously, rather than executing sudden jumps between numerals.
Beneath the dial, the movement serves as a direct descendant of the legendary Frédéric Piguet caliber 1150. Known for its robust twin-barrel architecture, this movement has provided exceptional service and reliability to elite watchmaking houses such as Blancpain and Urban Jürgensen for nearly four decades.
Beyond its mechanical layout, Ms. Djukanovic’s design relies on a sophisticated palette of blue shades. By combining champlevé and flinqué enamel over meticulously hand-engraved surfaces, the dial achieves a remarkable sense of depth and volume. Despite the undeniable complexity of its decoration, the design maintains a quiet restraint. It is an approach that feels almost minimalist by the traditional standards of Jaquet Droz, favoring abstract structural geometry over the elaborate, representational automata and wildlife scenes for which the manufacturer is widely recognized.
The Art of Enamel and Dial Architecture
The intricate enamelling process closely follows the physical contours of the dial, utilizing interplay of color and light to accentuate varying heights across the surface. This three-dimensional effect is heavily emphasized by two raised triangular plates that taper gracefully from their central peaks out toward the periphery of the dial. These prominent plates are framed by carefully chamfered and brushed edges, and their surfaces are hand-engraved with a delicate sunray motif before being coated in translucent enamel.
Nestled beneath these elevated sectors sit 40 individual parallelepipeds—precise, block-like geometric shapes that form a tiled pattern both above and below the time-display discs. During the creation process, these elements are polished completely flush with the raised borders after firing, resulting in a mirror-smooth dial plate defined by vibrant and indelible colors.
To complete the visual harmony, the display discs themselves feature a hand-applied sunray finish. This thoughtful touch ensures that the watch catches and reflects light dynamically as it moves across the different levels of the dial, creating a living canvas that changes with every wrist movement.
A Good Cause at TimeForArt 2026
Now celebrating its third edition, TimeForArt has established itself as a premier charitable platform within the watchmaking industry. The initiative brings together a curated selection of unique charity lots that will be featured prominently at Phillips during The New York Watch Auction XV, scheduled to take place on December 5, 2026.
This year’s auction features a stellar roster of 26 participating brands, with each house contributing a singular, unique timepiece created specifically for the event. Proceeds from the auction are dedicated to supporting contemporary artists through the programs of the Swiss Institute, bridging the worlds of high-end horology and philanthropic arts patronage.
The Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Les Volumes du Temps carries a pre-sale auction estimate of CHF 100,000 to CHF 150,000, reflecting both its heavy artistic pedigree and its role in supporting a vital cultural cause.
Key Facts and Specifications
Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minutes Les Volumes Du Temps
Diameter: 41 mm
Height: 13.78 mm
Material: 18k white gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 30 meters
Movement: Cal. JD2653.SI
Functions: Hours and minutes via dragging discs
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 68 hours
Strap: Patterned leather with an 18k red gold folding clasp
Limited edition: Unique piece
Availability: To be auctioned at TimeForArt on December 5, 2026
Auction estimate: CHF 100,000–150,000
