1010Σ︎
Jaquet Droz
Ref. J032634270
Magic Lotus Automaton
A poetic, extremely attractive and elegant limited edition white gold, diamond and sapphire-set automaton wristwatch with onyx dial, enameled and hand-engraved mother-of-pearl depicting a zen garden motif, automaton power reserve indication, certificate and presentation box, numbered 5 of a limited edition of 28 pieces
Estimate
HK$800,000–1,600,000
€87,100–174,000
$103,000–205,000
Live 31 May, 12 PM Hong Kong SAR China Time
Manufacturer
Jaquet Droz
Year
Circa 2020
Reference No
J032634270
Movement No
000’023
Case No
5/28
Model Name
Magic Lotus Automaton
Material
18K white gold
Calibre
Automatic, cal. 2653AT2, 56 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Crocodile
Clasp/Buckle
18K white gold Jaquet Droz deployant clasp
Dimensions
43mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
Accessories
Accompanied by Jaquet Droz warranty certificate stamped Haute Horlogerie San José dated 1st January 2020, atelier d'arts certificate, numerus clausus certificate, gemstone certificate, instruction manual, leather folio, loupe, 2 cloths, hang tag, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Full-Cataloguing
Good To Know:
- Zen garden motif
- One of the most intriguing automaton with outer dial rotation
- Lavishly decorated with mother-of-pearl, gemstones and enameling techniques
- Numbered 5 of a limited edition of 28 pieces only
Though mechanically straightforward without grand complications such as minute repeaters, the Magic Lotus is one of Jaquet Droz’s most unusual and enthralling creations. Its design draws on the contemplative geometry of a zen garden. The dial presents a gently flowing stream—realized by a rotating disc that completes two revolutions per minute—upon which a koi fish swims. Mounted on that disc, the koi’s tail swishes rhythmically and the fish appears to dip its head as it passes beneath the 3D foliage. Those plants and flowers form an allegory of the four seasons, their miniature forms rendered with painstaking detail.
The mechanism comprises two distinct components: a base movement that keeps time and an automaton module that orchestrates the animation. Winding is split between them—one crown direction for the base movement, the opposite for the automaton—and a pusher integrated into the crown launches a four-minute sequence, one of Jaquet Droz’s longest mechanical choreographies.
Additional flourishes heighten the illusion. A color-changing lotus flower drifts with the river disc; as it passes under leaves or the sub-dial, the central gemstone alternates among a blue sapphire, a yellow sapphire and a ruby. The effect is produced by a small geared ball beneath the disc that rotates the gems into view. The dragonfly on the left, fashioned in solid pink gold and hand-engraved and enamelled, act as the automaton power reserve indicator: when the barrels are fully wound it rests and as power wanes, it “flies” along an arc to perch on a lotus leaf, signaling the end of the animation.
Limited to just 28 pieces, the Magic Lotus Automaton is numbered 5 and a testament to Jaquet Droz’s continuing ability to marry poetic imagination with mechanical mastery.
- Zen garden motif
- One of the most intriguing automaton with outer dial rotation
- Lavishly decorated with mother-of-pearl, gemstones and enameling techniques
- Numbered 5 of a limited edition of 28 pieces only
Though mechanically straightforward without grand complications such as minute repeaters, the Magic Lotus is one of Jaquet Droz’s most unusual and enthralling creations. Its design draws on the contemplative geometry of a zen garden. The dial presents a gently flowing stream—realized by a rotating disc that completes two revolutions per minute—upon which a koi fish swims. Mounted on that disc, the koi’s tail swishes rhythmically and the fish appears to dip its head as it passes beneath the 3D foliage. Those plants and flowers form an allegory of the four seasons, their miniature forms rendered with painstaking detail.
The mechanism comprises two distinct components: a base movement that keeps time and an automaton module that orchestrates the animation. Winding is split between them—one crown direction for the base movement, the opposite for the automaton—and a pusher integrated into the crown launches a four-minute sequence, one of Jaquet Droz’s longest mechanical choreographies.
Additional flourishes heighten the illusion. A color-changing lotus flower drifts with the river disc; as it passes under leaves or the sub-dial, the central gemstone alternates among a blue sapphire, a yellow sapphire and a ruby. The effect is produced by a small geared ball beneath the disc that rotates the gems into view. The dragonfly on the left, fashioned in solid pink gold and hand-engraved and enamelled, act as the automaton power reserve indicator: when the barrels are fully wound it rests and as power wanes, it “flies” along an arc to perch on a lotus leaf, signaling the end of the animation.
Limited to just 28 pieces, the Magic Lotus Automaton is numbered 5 and a testament to Jaquet Droz’s continuing ability to marry poetic imagination with mechanical mastery.