Automatic movement (Cal. JAQUET DROZ 2653AT2). 28,800 vph. 56 jewels. Power reserve approximately 68 hours. 18KG case (diameter 43mm, thickness 16.96mm). Water resistant to 30m. Estimated price: 2283 million yen (excluding tax).
The Magic Lotus Automaton is an automaton watch with a motif of a pristine garden with floating lotus flowers. Over three years of development and four patents pending, this model features the most delicate dial in Jaquet Droz's history and is capable of a four-minute automatic movement.
The automaton, the highlight of this piece, boasts a long operating time of four minutes. It is based on the ancient concept of the "Circle of Life," in which life is reborn and continues forever, and is expressed through the rotation of a disk placed at the outermost periphery, which evokes the ceaseless movement of water. As this disk, with floating gold water lilies, rotates, the automaton reproduces the movements of two living creatures.
One of the designs is the carp, known as a symbol of longevity, courage, and perseverance. Crafted by hand from gold, the carp motif features a bouncing tail that gives the impression of moving through flowing water, and a bouncing motion that suggests the fish is leisurely swimming through the river and diving under lotus leaves.
The other features a lotus petal juxtaposed with a carp. Crafted from mother-of-pearl, the central stone changes from blue sapphire to yellow sapphire and then to ruby as it passes under the dial and lotus leaves.
Between 8 and 9 o'clock, a red gold dragonfly indicates the automaton's power reserve. Once the power reserve, wound by the crown, runs out, the hand-engraved and hand-painted dragonfly comes to rest on a lotus leaf.
In this model, perpetual movement is expressed through the lotus flower on the dial, with four flowers representing each of the four seasons and phases of life.
The gold and mother-of-pearl bud at the 3 o'clock position is in three-dimensional relief, representing the beginning of the season, "spring."
The fully bloomed lotus flower at 4 o'clock represents "Summer." The petals are carved from mother-of-pearl and then painted with translucent paint to enhance their three-dimensionality. A yellow sapphire, set in the flower's center with gold prongs, represents the pistil and stamen.
The lotus flowers carried by the wind and falling onto the water's surface and being washed away represent autumn.
The seed pod set at the 6 o'clock position evokes the image of winter. Seven diamonds are set in the seed motif, and the lotus seeds visible within the pod offer a glimpse of the brilliance of life sleeping before the next season.
Of the movement visible through the case back, the bridges and rotor are engraved to represent nature, while all non-engraved movement parts are decorated (perlage or hairline) and chamfered.
The Magic Lotus Automaton is available in two models, red gold or white gold, with only 28 of each being produced worldwide.
