Each year of the Chinese zodiac is represented by an animal – there are 12 animal symbols in total – and 2017 is the turn of the Rooster. For the occasion Jaquet Droz has announced four fowl-themed Petite Heure Minute limited editions from the Ateliers d’Arts collection, which is all about hand-decorated dials. All four are equipped with the calibre 2653.Si, an automatic featuring a silicon hairspring and pallet fork.

Characterised by a reduced, off-centre dial for the hours and minutes – petite heure minute translates as “small hour minute” – the watches have ample blank space on the dial as a canvas for the artisanal decoration. The entry-level watches are a matched pair for men and women, both featuring a vitreous enamel dial with a hand-painted rooster surrounded by peonies.

Both are 18k red gold, and the men’s watch is 39mm in diameter, while the ladies’ model is 35mm and set with diamonds on the bezel and lugs. Each is limited to 88 pieces, with a 18k red gold rotor open-worked and engraved in the form of a rooster.

Also in red gold but 41mm in diameter, the Petite Heure Minute Relief Rooster boasts more extravagant materials. Limited to 28 pieces, the dial is jade with inlaid flowers and mountains in engraved mother of pearl, and an 18k red gold rooster applied to the dial base. The sub-dial for the time is glossy black onyx. And on the rear the hand-engraved rotor is inlaid with yet more jade.

The top of the line model is the Petite Heure Minute Relief Rooster in 18k white gold. Also 41mm in diameter, the case is set with diamonds on the bezel and lugs. The dial is also jade and engraved mother of pearl, but the 18k white gold rooster on the dial is not only hand-engraved, but also painted in vivid colours.

Again the rooster motif is repeated on the rear, with an 18k white gold rotor featuring an engraved rooster and jade inlay.

Price and availability 

The Year of the Rooster limited editions will be available starting January 2017. Prices below are in Swiss francs and Singapore dollars.

Petite Heure Minute Rooster 35mm (ref. J005003222) – SFr35,300 or S$59,000
Petite Heure Minute Rooster 39mm (ref. J005013216) – SFr28,800 or S$49,000
Petite Heure Minute Relief Rooster, 28 pieces (ref. J005023282) – SFr65,000 or S$109,000
Petite Heure Minute Relief Rooster, eight pieces (ref. J005024282) – SFr75,800 or S$127,000