To help sell his watches, eighteenth-century watchmaker Pierre Jaquet Droz was particularly talented in creating highly sophisticated animated dolls, some of which are considered to be the oldest examples of computer technology. Today’s Jaquet Droz watches are classically styled and still intricately designed and crafted. As it’s part of the Swatch group, the brand obtains its movements from Manufacture Blancpain.


Taking inspiration from the pocket watch, the Grande Seconde was created by Jaquet Droz in 1784 and continues to be a guiding influence and essential collection to the brand.


Daring, unique, visionary, and historically referential—all in one timepiece—that’s the Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde SW watch for men.


Its rugged titanium case measures a healthy 45 mm in diameter, 11.9 mm in height and rests upon a fashion-forward black rubber strap with a titanium deployant clasp buckle for additional safety. The stainless steel bezel is coated in tough black rubber.


Additional case features include an exhibition case back, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, a 50 m / 5 atm water resistance, and a screw-down winding crown.

With a black carbon fiber dial as an intriguingly patterned backdrop, this is a watch like no other. First, the time can be read in the smaller subdial via white printed Roman numerals. Five through 7 o’clock appear as luminous red Arabic numerals in this appealing design.


The oversized “grand seconds” subdial sports Arabic numerals, and, just like the subdial above it, possesses an attractively polished flange. The blued steel hands in these dials are red-tipped for easy viewing.


Running horizontally across the dial we encounter brushed plates with polished rivets that visually anchor the subdials to one another.


As a self-winding automatic watch, this timepiece is driven by Jaquet Droz’s own 2663A-S caliber which beats at 28,800 vph, possesses 30 jewels, and delivers a 68-hour power reserve.

Standout feature(s): Rugged titanium case and deployant clasp; eye-catching carbon fiber dial with unique design; convenient 68-hour power reserve.

Details at a glance:

• Model Reference: J029038408
• Case Material: Titanium
• Case Dimensions: 45 mm
• Case Height: 11.9 mm
• Movement: Self-winding automatic, 28,800 vph, 30 jewels, 68-hour power reserve
• Caliber: Jaquet Droz 2663A-S
• Complication(s) / Feature(s): Standard time and “grand seconds”
• Dial: Black color with carbon fiber pattern
• Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire
• Winding Crown: Screw-down
• Water-resistance: 50 m / 5 atm
• Band: Black rubber strap
• Clasp: Titanium deployant clasp buckle
• Country of Origin: Switzerland
• Retail Value: $15,800
• Condition: Unworn / mint condition
• Comments: Manufacturer’s box and papers