Earlier this year WatchPro unveiled its Watches of the Year 2012 – the 10 winning timepieces and 90 highly commended watches that we felt boasted commercial appeal, innovation and had wowed consumers and retailers alike over the past 12 months.
The winner of the Classic Watch of the Year category was the Jaquet Droz Grande Date Ivory Enamel.
From the moment WatchPro laid eyes on the Grande Date we knew it was a contender for our Classic Watch of the Year.
Perhaps it was not the most obvious choice but that has been its winning point: it is a new watch rather than being an updated classic, and perfectly exhibits the skills and craftsmanship that goes on behind the scenes at Jaquet Droz.
The Grande Date has a 43mm rose gold case and its Grand Feu ivory enamelled dial has a grain and soft hue carefully achieved by the brand’s master dialmakers using the traditional of techniques.
This, and the dialmakers’ familiarity with “all the secrets of the enamelling process” are what have given it a finish so pure and so perfect. The hours and minutes sub-dial is set elegantly into the enamel, while gold Roman numerals add that further touch of tradition.
Jaquet Droz says that the Grade Date Ivory Enamel is evidence that, sometimes, supreme simplicity is the mark of true luxury and WatchPro couldn’t agree more, making it our winning Classic Watch of the Year 2012.
To see a digital version of the WatchPro Watches of the Year 2012 issue, which was published in June, click here.
