Last year, Jaquet Droz introduced its Grande Seconde Chronograph series, launching four timepieces offering a novel variation on the brand’s renowned figure-eight dial display — in the time-only models, an arrangement with a small subdial for the hours and minutes atop a larger subdial for the seconds. This month, Jaquet Droz has unveiled a new version with an onyx dial, following its long tradition of incorporating minerals into its timepieces.

The new Grande Seconde Off-Centred Chronograph Black Onyx (Ref. J007830270) uses Jaquet Droz’s 26M5R self-winding mechanical movement with a monopusher chronograph function, equipped with a column wheel, silicon balance spring and pallet horns. Visible through the watch’s sapphire caseback, it has an 18-karat rose gold oscillating weight and its bridges are engraved with a côtes de Genève motif. The movement, boasting a power reserve of 40 hours and a balance frequency of 21,600 vph, is housed in a stainless steel case, which measures 43 mm in diameter x 14.83 mm in height.
The onyx dial features rhodium-plated hands and minute markers made from 18-karat white gold, polished to a satin finish. The hour and minute indication is in an off-center subdial at 1 o’clock, while the subdial at 7 o’clock combines a 30-minute chronograph subdial and, circling its border, a retrograde date display using a hand with a moon-shaped counterweight. The large hand in the center of the dial, with an openworked counterweight, tallies the chronograph seconds when the built-in stopwatch is activated by the monopusher at 4 o’clock.
The Grande Seconde Off-Centered Chronograph dial is a modern interpretation of the figure-eight.The silicon escapement is unaffected by magnetism and temperature variations.
The Grande Seconde Off-Centred Chronograph is water resistant to 30 meters (3 bar) and each case bears an individual serial number engraved on its back. The watch comes mounted on a handmade, black alligator strap with a stainless steel folding clasp. Offered in an unlimited run, it retails for $21,000.
Manufacturer: | Jaquet Droz |
Model: | Grande Seconde Off-Centred Chronograph Black Onyx |
Reference number: | J007830270 |
Functions: | Off-centered hours and minutes at 1 o’clock, centered chronograph seconds, chronograph 30-minute subdial at 7 o’clock, off-centered retrograde date display at 7 o’clock |
Movement: | Jaquet Droz 26M5R, monopusher chronograph, self-winding mechanical movement, silicon balance spring and pallet horns, column wheel, 18k rose-gold oscillating weight, 40-hour power reserve in single barrel |
Case: | Stainless steel case, crown push-button, individual serial number engraved on the caseback, water resistant to 30 meters (3 bar) |
Bracelet and clasp: | Hand-made, black alligator strap with stainless steel folding clasp |
Dimensions: | Diameter = 43 mm Height = 14.83 mm |
Price: | $21,000 |
For more information on where you can purchase the Grande Seconde Off-Centred Chronograph Black Onyx, click here.