Introducing Jaquet Droz Unveils the Unique Piece: Imperial Dragon Automaton Sapphire-Opal

Jaquet Droz presents a unique piece created at the request of a private collector: the Imperial Dragon Automaton Sapphire Opal, which the brand describes as undeniably one of its masterpieces, embodying the widest bridge between centuries and cultures. As the mythical dragon meets state-of-the-art watchmaking, the timepiece simultaneously evokes the brand’s 18th-century automata through a bold, boundary-pushing design. Its creation also marks several technical firsts in the history of Jaquet Droz.

On the dial side, the dragon pays tribute to Asia, the continent visited by Pierre Jaquet-Droz in the early 1780s. It is also the creature immortalized by John Howe—the famed illustrator behind The Lord of the Rings trilogy and a long-time friend of the brand. Here, the mythical animal appears as a sculpted appliqué winding around the lower half of the dial, rendered with extraordinary detail thanks to the maison’s singular expertise in automata. With a total of 16 animations, this is one of the most complex kinetic wristwatches ever created. 

The motion sequence was designed to be entirely random, preserving its sense of wonder and mystery. The dragon’s back twists, its eye and jaw move, its tongue extends, its crest rises and falls, and its claws clutch a rotating pearl. This pearl, an Akoya sourced exclusively from Japan using techniques that give it a unique sheen, is also the first of its kind to be incorporated into a Jaquet Droz timepiece.

The 45 mm case, measuring 18 mm thick, is crafted entirely from synthetic sapphire crystal. Its fully transparent construction complements the shimmering blue opal dial and deep black onyx accents. This case is likely the only one of its kind in haute horlogerie to be assembled without a single screw or internal fastener, thanks to a unique construction method that ensures complete structural cohesion without additional components. It is produced entirely in Switzerland.

The main dial is crafted from opal, while the upper time display dial is made of black onyx, known for its rich, dense darkness. This contrast enhances the refinement of the white-gold hands and ensures excellent legibility.

Jaquet Droz retains the advanced automaton mechanism introduced more than a decade ago. The watch is powered by the automatic Caliber 6150, beating at 21,600 vph (3 Hz) and offering a 40-hour power reserve. The movement features two barrels, one dedicated to timekeeping and the other to driving the automaton.

Every part of the dragon is hand-sculpted and polished from a solid block of white gold, another first for this model. Both dials are hand-cut, and each of the 611 components of the movement is individually assembled and finished. The caliber includes an in-house silicon balance spring produced in ultra-clean environments, as well as three inscriptions that stand apart from traditional craftsmanship: John Howe’s signature on the rotor, Pierre Jaquet-Droz’s signature in his own handwriting, appearing for the first time in the brand’s history, and the engraving “Unique Piece.”

The latter two inscriptions “Pierre Jaquet-Droz” and “Unique Piece” are laser-engraved directly onto the sapphire side of the case. Pierre Jaquet-Droz’s signature appears at 9 o’clock, while “Unique Piece” is engraved on the crown side at 3 o’clock.

This one-of-a-kind artistic creation is fitted with a blue rubber strap and a folding clasp in stainless steel and grey ceramic.

For more information, visit Jaquet Droz official website.