Even though the use of automata in timekeeping has hundreds of years of history behind it, although its history in wristwatches is obviously far more recent, they still elicit a feeling of wonder.

Jaquet Droz’s Charming Bird has a special place within the brand, and it now finds itself in a titanium case for the first time. It is not only the first time this complication appears in this metal, but also the first wristwatch with musical automaton to be made from titanium.

The satin-brushed 47mm sized case is now 20 per cent (42g) lighter. On the front side you can see two separate sapphire crystals – one protecting the movement, which remains the same one as previously, and a second sapphire crystal curving underneath which covers the bird automaton at 6 o’clock. At the side of the case are what looks like very small vents with microscopic perforations. They have a dual function – to let the bird’s sound out, and air in, to assist the automata’s operation.

The hours and minutes are on a black metallic sapphire sub dial at 12 o’clock. The bird is hand-engraved and hand-painted, with a length of 13.5 mm, sits at 6 o’clock. When activated, it chirrups (three notes), opens its beak, spins around, and ‘flies’. This feature has its power reserve and thus, its own crown, situated at 2 o’clock, which is wound to give it its energy. To activate it, you press on a push-button. To stop it, you press again. Uninterrupted, the entire cycle lasts about half a minute. The speed of its movements and singing is not controlled mechanically but magnetically.

It is is powered by a manually-wound in-house movement with a power reserve of 38 hours and features an engraved depiction of a bird mid-flight.

Jaquet Droz’s Charming Bird Titanium is a unique piece and has a price of CHF 362,000 (including taxes).

If you wish to learn more about the bird automata, go to The Naked Watchmaker for his deconstruction masterclass.

[Photo credit: Jaquet Droz]

Categories: Jaquet Droz, Limited Editions, watches, Women's watches