Introducing Jaquet Droz Unveils the One-of-a-Kind Tourbillon Dragon John Howe

Jaquet Droz collaborates with John Howe the legendary artistic director of The Lord of the Rings trilogy to create a one-of-a-kind timepiece inspired by a mythical dragon. This extraordinary creation pays tribute to both the fantastical universe of the acclaimed illustrator and the centuries-old savoir-faire of one of Switzerland’s most storied manufactures. The Tourbillon Dragon John Howe in White Gold was conceived as the twin of an original painting by Howe, forming a world where fantasy, fine art, and horological mastery converge.

Encasing this exceptional piece is a finely proportioned 18-karat white gold case, measuring 43mm in diameter and 13.10mm in thickness. The case is meticulously polished and sculpted, while the caseback bears the discreet engraving “Pièce Unique”, emphasizing the singularity of this creation. The case is water-resistant to 30 meters.

The signature Jaquet Droz figure-eight dial layout displays the hours and minutes at 6 o’clock, topped by a flying tourbillon aperture at 12 o’clock. A blued steel hand set on the tourbillon bridge serves as the seconds indicator.

The dragon, envisioned by John Howe, coils around the lower half of the dial also crafted in white gold and is fully covered in Grand Feu enamel in a deep, uniform shade of midnight blue. Jaquet Droz’s master artisans have hand-painted the dragon using infinite shades of grey, giving it a dramatically three-dimensional presence.

The creation posed two major challenges for the Jaquet Droz workshop. First, to replicate the luminous quality of the pearl held in the dragon’s claws, as originally conceived by Howe. Second, to make the dragon appear to rise above the minute track and hour circle enhancing the illusion that it is emerging from the dial, without compromising the Roman numerals or railway-style markers. This required painstaking craftsmanship, with the finest details painted using a single-bristle brush.

At the heart of the watch beats the Calibre 25JD, a self-winding tourbillon movement tailored for the discerning collector. It features a single barrel delivering an impressive seven-day power reserve, an engineering feat that ensures both longevity and precision. The movement operates at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour, blending the classical cadence of traditional watchmaking with modern-day performance.

Great care has also been taken with the movement’s aesthetics and architecture. The oscillating weight, crafted from 18-karat red gold, is decorated with a black onyx inlay and bears John Howe’s emblem.

Completing the piece is a hand-made dark blue alligator strap with rolled edges, secured by an 18-karat white gold folding clasp. The Tourbillon Dragon John Howe is priced at CHF 166,000, approximately AED 770,000. The collector will also receive the original John Howe painting that inspired this extraordinary timepiece.

For more information, visit Jaquet Droz official website.