For thousands of years, Man has looked to the sky. The sun and stars, but also the moon, have allowed entire generations to find their bearings in this incredible adventure that is reading time. The only thing able to signal the passing of months, the celestial body emblematic of the night has earned its status among watchmakers around the world. A major complication, moon phases are a celebration on the wrist of this age-old history shared by all continents. In 2017, Jaquet Droz integrated the moon phase into one of its legendary models, the Grande Seconde, while remaining perfectly true to the silhouette of the timepiece whose two interlaced dials form a figure eight, the symbol of completion and plenitude, and lucky number of the brand known by its twin stars.

It was a significant challenge with regards to the sophistication of the complication and its impact on the existing mechanism. Jaquet Droz chose a so-called astronomical moon phase, requiring adjustment only once every 122 years and 46 days. This discrepancy is barely noticeable in a generation but shows the care and rigor bestowed upon the design of the movement. Thanks to its carefully studied gear ratio, the specially developed “mechanism 135” is much more precise than a traditional 59-tooth model, which accumulates an error of one day in approximately two years, 7 months and 20 days.

A level of excellence is also found in the finishes of the different versions available. Known for the exceptional expertise of its dial craftsmen, Jaquet Droz offers a trilogy from ivory Grand Feu enamel, one of its signatures, to the brilliance of silvery opaline and the deep black of onyx. Located at the heart of the lower dial dedicated to the date with a majestic direct-drive seconds hand, the moon disc is made of blued steel in the first two models and onyx in the third. Tiny gold stars shimmer on a backdrop of dark blue and deep black in these miniature nocturnal works of art. Each day, the moon disc rotates clockwise ever so slightly, faithfully representing the moon’s cycle. Readability is perfect thanks to a specially designed double-level dial to grasp the almost mystical aspect of the lunar calendar in the blink of an eye. A corrector positioned at 8 o’clock enables you to set and adjust the moon phase with a simple push of the stylus that accompanies the timepiece.

A true mechanical marvel, the Grande Seconde Moon is also a piece of aesthetic treasure. Absolutely striking with its clean look and classic lines valued by Jaquet Droz, the ivory enamel version is adorned with an applied satin-finish red gold circular ring, echoing the light of the 43 mm case featured in the three available versions. The magic and poetic Grande Seconde Moon by Jaquet Droz is not simply a watch adorned with the luxurious effects of light of onyx, gold and silvery opaline. It is also an invitation to contemplation and reflection when faced with the mystery of the passage of time that Man has mastered by looking to the sky. Because the depths of night have never ceased to give meaning to life, since the dawn of time.