Jaquet Droz The Bird Repeater Automata

KIH · 2013-02-11T08:28:38Z

Explore Jaquet Droz The Bird Repeater at the Hayek Center in Tokyo. Discover its intricate automata, minute repeater, and artistic dial craftsmanship.

KIH

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

23 replies5883 views27 photos

KIH offers an exclusive tour of the Jaquet Droz 'The Bird Repeater' exhibition at the Nicolas G. Hayek Center in Ginza, Tokyo. This report delves into the intricate artistry and historical significance of Jaquet Droz's automata, showcasing a masterpiece that revives the brand's heritage of mechanical wonders.

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Swatch Group's The NIcolas G. Hayek Center building has been standing on the busiest shopping street in Ginza since 2007. The center has the boutiques of (almost) all brands of the Swatch Group - Swatch, Omega, Breguet, Glashutte Original, Blancpain, Jaquet Droz, and customer service center where tens of watchmakers are seen working through the glasses.

To be honest, the building is too shiny for me and I have visited only a few times

But, if you visit Tokyo, this is one of the "must" place to stop by, you would enjoy the entire building as 6 brands boutiques are all in one place.

A watch friend of mine and I decided to visit there today to see (1) The Bird Repeater (on tour starting from Tokyo - Feb. 8 to 17) and (2) an old friend who used to work at a boutique we frequent.

As you may or may not know, the original Jaquet Droz was THE Automata manufacteur and they started to make watches as well.... "The Bird Repeater" is the model which reminds us of its true origin/ history and the craftmanship is still alive and simply stunning.....

The Boutique

Special corner for The Bird Repeater.

The old pocket watch and bird automata with clock (back of the case).

Painted enamel dial.

Cut out from the gold...

...this motif has been...

.... and "The Bird Repeater"...

Just look...

Here is the video of the "fall" which falls all the time (but it rotates in only 42 seconds...)

Dome sapphire to cover this automata birds.

Thickness 18.2mm.

Now the video of how it works (courtesy of Jaquet Droz Ginza Boutique):

On the back.

The Bird Repeater:
Diameter 47mm
The number of parts: 508
Single Barrel, Power Reserve: 48 hours
Black Onix and hand painted black MOP dial
The birds: Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus)
RG case - LE of 8
WG case + Diamond decoration - LE of 8
ALL PIECES HAVE BEEN SPOKEN FOR!

=============================================================================

Now, onto the other collections:

Ginza Boutique Limited Editions - all LE of 8.

Painted enamel.

Black enamel (!)

Again, black enamel!

And, Unique Pieces:

LE of only 1 - Cripple Jasper

LE of only 1 - Poppy Jasper

LE of 88 - Ivory enamel with Tigers.

LE of 88 - Black MOP with Structure, 22K YG Dragon Applique & Ruby

And today's my favorite (within my means...) - Grande Seconde Power Reserve Ceramic (44mm).

Hope you enjoyed the report.

Thank you, Hayashi-san (Boutique Manager of Jaquet Droz Ginza).

Best,
Ken

This message has been edited by KIH on 2013-02-11 11:07:04

Key Points from the Discussion

The Bird Repeater features a complex automata mechanism with moving birds, baby birds, and an egg, all encased under a dome sapphire, demonstrating fluid and intricate motion.
The watch's thickness of 18.2mm and its intricate 508-part movement, including a single barrel with a 48-hour power reserve, highlight the complexity required for the automata and minute repeater complications.
The Bird Repeater, limited to 8 pieces in rose gold and 8 in white gold with diamond decoration, was entirely spoken for globally even before its world tour, indicating strong demand for such high-art horology.
One collector suggests that automaton/repeater complications are best suited for pocket watch cases to fully do them justice, though acknowledges that market demand for wristwatches exists.
The dial of The Bird Repeater is crafted from black onyx and hand-painted black mother-of-pearl, featuring meticulously cut-out gold motifs of Blue Tits, emphasizing the artistic detail.
The Nicolas G. Hayek Center in Ginza, housing multiple Swatch Group brand boutiques and a customer service center, is considered a must-visit destination for watch enthusiasts in Tokyo.

The Discussion

foversta

Feb 11, 2013

Thanks a lot Ken for the comprehensive report and for the Bird Repeater movie!

An impressive watch even if I'm not a great fan of this old-fashioned dial. Fx

KIH

Feb 11, 2013

Thank you, Fx!

Yes, very impressive art and automata, although not necessarily practical to wear. Ken

mkt33

Feb 11, 2013

I still really like Shigeru Ban's J*D boutique design

I wish I was still in tokyo so I could visit the the Hayek center. As for the current J*D designs... I find the bird repeater fascinating...extremely well crafted and once again demonstrating the "art" of watchmaking for which J*D is known. Having said this, I just think that when you have an automaton/repeater the only way to do both complications justice is to put it in a pocketwatch case...obviously at least 8 people in the world disagrees with me :-) Is it a claret base? I've always been fon

KIH

Feb 11, 2013

Wow.. with the ring...

.. it looks certainly much tighter and better! Stopover? I would go anywhere to meet up with you. PM me. Ken

cuibono

Feb 11, 2013

my son's verdict on the bird repeater

"that's the nicest clock i've ever seen." even the detail of the little chick hatching...wow. chris

KIH

Feb 11, 2013

Kids are honest...

.. and I agree with your son :-) Ken

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