Jaquet Droz
Swiss watch brand named after Pierre Jaquet-Droz, famous for his automata and watches in the 18th century.
Pierre Jaquet-Droz was a watchmaker in La Chaux-de-Fonds who travelled to the Spanish court with his clocks. With his son Henri-Louis and Jean-Frédéric Leschot he built automata – the writer, the draughtsman and the musician – which can be seen in Neuchâtel.
The firm made watches with mechanical birds and automata for clients in Europe and China. The name was revived in the 20th century and has been part of the Swatch Group since 2000, with watches such as the Grande Seconde.
Modern watches with a large seconds hand on its own subdial, after 18th-century pocket watches.
Enamel dials and automata with moving figures.