Jaquet Droz

Pierre Jaquet-Droz was born in 1721 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. At just seventeen years old in 1738, he opened his first clockmaking workshop, producing sophisticated movements beyond anything seen before. He studied under master watchmaker Josué Robert and soon earned a reputation for extraordinary clock movements combined with music and automata. In 1758, Jaquet-Droz undertook a 49-day journey to Spain to present his clocks to King Ferdinand VI, achieving instant success. The substantial sum earned enabled him to focus exclusively on creating watches, clocks, and automata. Working with his son Henri-Louis and adopted protégé Jean-Frédéric Leschot, he created his most famous works: three life-sized automata known as The Writer, The Draftsman, and The Musician. By 1784, the firm operated three production centers: La Chaux-de-Fonds (1738), London (1774), and Geneva (1784). The London workshop facilitated trade with China, where Jaquet-Droz pieces were highly prized. Pierre Jaquet-Droz died in 1790, and company activity gradually ceased. The brand experienced various revivals in the 20th century. A Jaquet Droz SA company dissolved in 1963. The name was then used as a shared brand by a cooperative of 150 Swiss manufacturers from 1965-1983. In 1989, Investcorp acquired the rights and relaunched the brand. François Bodet and Yves Scherrer acquired it in 1995, producing automata replicas and luxury watches. In 2000, the Swatch Group acquired Montres Jaquet-Droz SA, moving production back to La Chaux-de-Fonds. The brand debuted its comeback collection at Baselworld 2002, drawing inspiration from Pierre Jaquet-Droz's original creations. Today, Jaquet Droz produces 4,000-5,000 timepieces annually, continuing its tradition of artistic excellence and mechanical innovation.