This recent discussion on Watch rap and Dr. Cheong's reply
(
http://www.network54.com/Forum/169624/message/1143619407/How+do+you+differentiate+a+fashion+watch+from+a+%26quot%3Btrue%26quot%3B+watch-)
made me think of Jaquet Droz over the past few days as there are quite a few forum members with strong opinions about J*D.
During the last 3 years, I’ve meet fellow Purists that dismiss Jaquet Droz as a manufacturer of haute horology and those who believe that J*D is developing a very special niche in the watch market. The “value” of old fashion craftsmanship and the lack of new technological advancements from the R&D department are always topics of debate. When the dust settles we more often agree to disagree on our impression of Jaquet Droz as a brand.
So how do the forum members here view J*D in context of the watchrap question posted by francis?
Not suprisingly I have a favorable view of Jaquet Droz. I don't think it is a fashion watch as I have no fashion sense (ask my wife
) I consider a "true" watch to be one which successfully represent the intent or spirit of the watchmaker/watch company. Mr. Emch said in a past interview with Magnus Bosse: "Jaquet Droz always focused on emotions and aesthetics. Pierre Jaquet Droz was the first who invented the concept of a jewellery watch, he was the first to ornament his watches with pearls, enamel and so on." In this aspect IMHO J*D has successfully recaptured what was lost in the brand's past history and thus makes it a "true" watch company for me.
Do I appreciate a new escapement, balance wheel spring, and multiaxis tourbillons? You bet I do but I enjoy my finely finished workhorse Piguet as well and a large case to display the beautiful dial. (as a warning, again due to the lack of fasion sense, small yellow gold watches will probably be "in")
As a side note (not performed to the most rigorous scientific standards but compared to the time.gov) My J*D GS ranged as follows averaged over 3 days in each position, winding the crown 15 times each morning:
12 o clock UP: + 5sec
12 o clock down: +7sec
crown up: -2sec
crown down: -4 sec
flat: +1 sec
Pretty good but anyone wants to guess how a Breitling superquartz performed?
Looking forward to the responses,
Mike
