Jaquet Droz, the luxury Swiss watch brand, is marking its 270th anniversary by teaming with Parsons The New School for Design to create the Jaquet Droz Prize.

The company will reward young artists and designers who “best embody the spirit of innovation and aesthetic refinement of the Jaquet Droz brand and its founder Pierre Jaquet Droz,” said a statement by the watch company. The announcement was made at Jaquet Droz’s 270th Anniversary celebration at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City in November.

“We’re looking for artists who have shown creativity in their works, but still appreciate the value of craftsmanship,” said Manuel Emch, Jaquet Droz president and creative director. “They must display a technical mastery of their craft, but be willing to take risks in their designs [to] reshape the landscape of their craft.”

Timepieces dating to the 18th century—including the 1791 Grande Seconde pocket watch, still a source of inspiration for Jaquet Droz designers—were flown from Switzerland, for the one-night appearance at the museum. Also on display: the brand’s 2008 Grande Seconde sports watch and Grande Seconde Ceramique Power Reserve timepiece. Jaquet Droz is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, in the same location where Droz set up his company in 1738.

Captions:
Top: Guests admire 270 years of Jaquet Droz watches at its 270th anniversray event in New York City.
Second: Manual Emch, Droz president and creative director.

JCK