Jaquet Droz Unveils Loving Butterfly Automaton Chinchilla Red Limited Edition

We’ve written about the stunningly detailed Jaquet Droz Loving Butterfly Automaton here before, with its incredibly fine gold sculpture work and intricate automaton functions, and for 2020 the brand has returned to this complex model once again with a rare and unusual dial treatment. While the 43 mm case and dial appliques are carried over from previous iterations, here these delicate elements are rendered in 18 karat red gold for a warmer and more masculine look. The real major change, of course is the Chinchilla Red dial surface. This unique multicolored mineral material is made from a single deposit of 150 million year old petrified wood in remote eastern Australia. Due to the volcanic eruption that instantly preserved these trees millions of years ago, much of the detail usually lost in petrified wood is preserved beautifully here. The actual timekeeping subdial is rendered in demure black onyx, allowing the rare and unique Chinchilla Red material to remain the visual focal point. Inside the Jaquet Droz Loving Butterfly Automaton Chinchilla Red Limited Edition is the same 2653 AT1 automatic movement as previous models, offering a silicon balance spring and 68 hours of power reserve. This sits alongside a separate handwound movement powering the flapping butterfly wings and spinning chariot wheel of the automaton, activated by the monopusher at the center of the crown. Jaquet Droz pairs this piece with a handmade black alligator leather strap. Only 28 examples of this model will be made, with pricing available upon request. As part of its ongoing effort to combat the damage from the recent severe Australian wildfires, a portion of each sale will benefit “Plant a Tree for Me” and “One Tree Planted,” a pair of charities working to replant forest land across Australia. Please visit the brand’s website for more information.

Victorinox Debuts New FieldForce GMT

The rugged dependability and blend of diver and field watch cues made the Victorinox FieldForce a top seller on its debut in 2019, and one year later the brand has returned to the series for the tough and affordable FieldForce GMT. The 42 mm stainless steel case offers a classic diver form, with strong crown guards and a slightly narrow 60 minute rotating bezel along with 100 meters of water resistance and an optional black PVD finish. The dial, in either black or midnight blue, is strong and legible with large lumed Arabic numerals and sword hands, coupled to an inner 24 hour ring at the center of the dial and an unorthodox short independent GMT hand with a Breguet tip. The FieldForce GMT is powered by the Ronda 515 Swiss quartz GMT movement, offering excellent accuracy and low cost. Victorinox pairs each of the FieldForce GMT’s dial variants with a unique strap. The basic black dial receives a black leather strap with white contrast stitching, the midnight blue dial is offered on an oyster style bracelet, and the black PVD version with its orange dial accents is paired with a matching orange rubber dive strap. The Victorinox FieldForce GMT is a bit of an unusual piece as a quartz powered GMT watch, especially at this price range, and offers a blend of performance and value that’s difficult to argue with. The FieldForce GMT is available now at authorized dealers with pricing beginning at $375. For more information, visit the Victorinox website.