{"id":26463,"date":"2019-11-30T08:10:09","date_gmt":"2019-11-30T08:10:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.horbiter.com\/jaquet-droz-grande-seconde-skelet-one-ceramic\/"},"modified":"2025-06-28T18:08:38","modified_gmt":"2025-06-28T16:08:38","slug":"jaquet-droz-grande-seconde-skelet-one-ceramic-watch-hands-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.horbiter.com\/en\/jaquet-droz-grande-seconde-skelet-one-ceramic-watch-hands-on\/","title":{"rendered":"The Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Skelet-One Ceramic watch hands-on"},"content":{"rendered":"

Usually, I\u2019m not too fond of a sporty take on an original classic watch, and I admit I was a bit skeptic when the first official picture of the 2019 Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Skelet<\/strong>\u2013One<\/strong> Ceramic<\/strong> was released.<\/p>\n

Although I believe the premium brands belonging to the Swatch<\/strong> Group<\/strong> have paved the way in making ceramic watches, I nonetheless generally think that crafting a ceramic luxury watch is always a challenge, especially when the origin is a skeletonized gold one<\/strong><\/a>. Jaquet Droz<\/strong> gambled with this new luxury skeletonized zirconia-oxide based timepiece. Did it work? Let\u2019s find out.<\/p>\n

\"jaquet-droz-grande-seconde-selet-one-ceramic-blue\"The original gold wristwatch, introduced last year, belongs to the collections crafted to celebrate the 280<\/strong>th<\/sup> anniversary of the brand<\/strong>, and represents the most significant change, from a product perspective, in the last ten years or so, for a brand that is renowned as the King of automaton.<\/p>\n

It was a significant challenge for the Jaquet Droz<\/strong>\u2018s executives and Product Managers as well, and a gamble they won hands down.<\/p>\n

The Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Skelet<\/strong>\u2013One<\/strong> project is a new visionary take on the Grande Seconde<\/strong> signature collection, sort of a brand within the brand, that gives the eight-shaped design a new look, where mechanics and engineering stand out.<\/p>\n

\"jaquet-droz-grande-seconde-selet-one-ceramic-blue-5\"Jaquet Droz<\/strong> is not new to ceramics: the Grande Seconde Ceramic<\/strong> is a long-standing piece in the current collection, yet the Grande Seconde Skelet<\/strong>\u2013One<\/strong> Ceramic<\/strong> set new standards: the ceramic case has a black-grayish tone, and the upper part is, lugs included, satin-finished, whereas case side and crown are meticulously highly polished.<\/p>\n

\"jaquet<\/p>\n

Despite its intricate and sophisticated design, it looks gorgeous, and the dial is not busy; as seen from atop, the matte finish softens any excess that is ordinary when you\u2019re dealing with a gold skeleton watch, especially when that design comes in shining gold or platinum.<\/p>\n

Bridges and winding rotor have undergone different surface treatments, of course, that perfectly contrast the black-gray polished case.<\/p>\n

The slim-designed winding rotor is a piece of art, other than being crafted in white gold for reasons related to mass inertia and winding capability (it winds up two barrels to a total 68-hour power reserve) and is one of the most aesthetically pleasing parts, thus contributing to the Jaquet Droz 2663 SQ<\/strong> caliber\u2019s remarkable engineering and beauty.<\/p>\n

\"jaquet-droz-grande-seconde-selet-one-ceramic-blue-1\"I have had the privilege of wearing and enjoying several Jaquet Droz<\/strong> timepieces in the last three years or so, and the majority of them were all Grande Seconde<\/strong>; I rank the Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Skelet<\/strong>\u2013One<\/strong> Ceramic<\/strong> among the most surprising designs ever introduced by the Swiss brand; with this new product variation, brand lure and luxury foothold have been safeguarded.<\/p>\n

\"jaquet-droz-grande-seconde-selet-one-ceramic-blue-4\"Many are the brands that lost their identity in an attempt to craft a ceramic luxury watch. Jaquet Droz<\/strong> instead redefined the Skelet<\/strong>\u2013One<\/strong> while abiding by the rules set in the brand\u2019s identity and core values: the Grande Seconde Skelet<\/strong>\u2013One<\/strong> Ceramic<\/strong> feels premium and is quintessentially a Grande Seconde<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"jaquet-droz-grande-seconde-selet-one-ceramic-blue-2\"My original skepticism turned into enjoyment when I first wrapped the watch around my wrist. Can be ceramics regarded as the new steel? Maybe it can, or perhaps cannot, it\u2019s such a personal choice, after all. What I do believe instead is that the gap between the two keeps closing at a fast pace.<\/p>\n

From a user-experience point of view, many are the pros when choosing a ceramic timepiece: it is scratch-resistant, it is athermic, it is hypoallergenic. Scratch-resistance is perhaps the most significant advantage since it preserves the product\u2019s look and virtually cuts down any cost related to aesthetic overhaul.<\/p>\n

\"jaquet<\/p>\n

I\u2019d instead suggest the brand to pay their attention to improving the product\u2019s comfort further: the strap is too stiff when the watch is new with tags, and I love wristwatches that perfectly wrap around my wrist since day one.<\/p>\n

It is an area of improvement that I have often highlighted in the past on the blog. From an aesthetical standpoint, I would prefer a more subtle pattern on the strap or, why not, would investigate external collaborations with equally outstanding brands.<\/p>\n

In this regard, I would pair this case to a silk woven strap made by a distinguished brand, like E<\/strong>. Marinella<\/strong>, for example. The price? A Grande Seconde Skelet<\/strong>\u2013One<\/strong> Ceramic<\/strong> retails for 24<\/strong>,600<\/strong>\u20ac.<\/p>\n