The new Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute ‘Dragon’ is the first masterpiece created from the collaboration between the brand and John Howe, the artist best known for his artistic direction for The Lord of the Rings. Equipped with a 41 mm case in 18K white or red gold, the dial features the mythical creature holding a luminous pearl in its claws. Released in a very exclusive limited edition of 18 pieces for each metal, the Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute ‘Dragon’ brings the charm and fantasy of The Lord of the Rings in a very subtle and classy way, unlike other recent collaborations like the one between Audemars Piguet and Marvel.

Things to Know About the Watch

The Dragon is far more than just a mythical creature. It is something that has never existed, yet it has always been there. John Howe, the illustrator and conceptual artist of Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies brings the mythical creature to life micro-painted on a dark blue Grand Feu enamel dial. John Howe was born in Canada and has lived in Neuchâtel for 30 years. His creation reveals a very simple Dragon that returns to the essence of his early designs. It has required the full range of Jaquet Droz decorative techniques to reproduce each relief, contour, and volume —a true work of art with unique dimensions and a monochrome pictorial masterpiece, which emerges from a dial with shared dominant tones thanks to the finesse of its features.

The red-tongued Dragon holds a luminous pearl in its claws known as the Dragon Pearl. It is traditionally associated with happiness, abundance, wisdom, and knowledge for its owner. In Chinese imperial symbolism, it represented the Emperor’s wisdom and the perfection of his mind. This is both the sacred essence of the Dragon as well as its power.

Then at 12 o’clock, the Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute ‘Dragon’ features the traditional chapter ring with Roman numerals in white providing excellent readability against the deep blue backdrop. The red tongue on the dragon intertwines with the Chemin de Fer in a magical and whimsical way.

The Movement

The beating heart inside the Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute ‘Dragon’ is the in-house calibre 2653 SI. This 28-jewel automatic movement beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph to provide a power reserve of 68 hours when fully wound. Adding to the astonishment of the watch, Jaquet Droz has created a special gold oscillating weight that has been meticulously hand-engraved to depict the dragon’s tail with its countless scales. The movement is equipped with a silicon double barrel, balance spring, and pallet lugs.

On the Wrist & Price

On the wrist, the Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute ‘Dragon’ wears true to its 41 mm size and is delivered on a rolled edges blue alligator strap. The strap is very supple and equipped with a pin buckle matching the metal of the case. A stunning watch that brings the best of Jaquet Droz to the table and a flawlessly executed partnership that doesn’t take away or erodes the brand, but that instead adds to it.

Sticker Price $36,900 USD. For more info on Jaquet Droz click here.