This is quite the most extraordinary automaton I’ve ever seen and I suspect you might enjoy it also.
‘The story of Pierre Jaquet Droz and his sons is one of the most moving in the history of Horology. Born in 1721, Pierre Jaquet Droz, master of time in the Age of Enlightenment – mechanical genius, avant-garde creator of jewellery watchmaking and composer of poetry and dreams — is one of the most fascinating figures of the period.
After a few years’ absence from the world of watchmaking, and an intermediate period marked by the presence of foreign shareholders, the brand was acquired in 2000 by the Swatch Group. It returned to its town of origin, La Chaux-de-Fonds.’
Take care and keep laughing!
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![Original & vintage art © First Night Design [www.firstnightdesign.wordpress.com] Green-painted fence https://unsplash.com/photos/FxeeNx_yMpw Lake Annecy by Mindy Sommers Celestial Eruption by eberhard grossgasteiger on Unsplash https://unsplash.com/photos/NvesrDbsrL4](https://firstnightdesign.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/v057fb.jpg?w=159&h=159&crop=1 "Valentine Blush")
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22 comments
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14/03/2017 at 08:04
Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, MCC, SCAC
Fascinating and beautiful – and nothing I had ever heard about before your post. Amazing what artists and inventors can do with royal patronage, yes? Quite the business minds as well, these watch makers. Truly remarkable.
How wonderful that internet technology makes these items available in some format, to those of us who would probably never be able to afford to lay eyes on them otherwise. Thanks so much for sharing.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to educate a world!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
14/03/2017 at 11:13
First Night Design
Remarkable indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
12/03/2017 at 22:22
Lavinia Ross
Beautiful work from this genius!
LikeLiked by 2 people
13/03/2017 at 12:33
First Night Design
Isn’t it just!
LikeLiked by 1 person
12/03/2017 at 17:37
Silver Screenings
Incredible! I can’t believe how lifelike the automatons are – and they’re over 200 years old!
Also the timepieces are STUNNING. The delicate artwork is breathtaking.
LikeLiked by 2 people
13/03/2017 at 12:32
First Night Design
It is extraordinary, isn’t it. Breathtaking is the word.
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11/03/2017 at 03:49
Widdershins
Heavens to Murgatroid … I want one … of each of them! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
13/03/2017 at 12:31
First Night Design
You can’t have…unless I find a talented person on the Isle of Wight who can recreate!
LikeLiked by 2 people
10/03/2017 at 16:30
D. Wallace Peach
Wow. That was so amazing. Mechanical, but truly pieces of intricately crafted art. Thanks so much for sharing, Sarah. ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
13/03/2017 at 12:30
First Night Design
Delighted to share as I was so taken with it myself!
LikeLiked by 1 person
10/03/2017 at 15:16
Mary
This is a really cool and brilliant video – I totally enjoyed watching it. Don’t you wonder how people can come up with such things. Great to see you Sarah!
LikeLiked by 2 people
10/03/2017 at 15:31
First Night Design
It would be good to know, wouldn’t it! Good to see you too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
09/03/2017 at 12:42
pattimoed
Fascinating, Sarah. Thanks so much for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
09/03/2017 at 13:16
First Night Design
Pleasure! I could watch it over and over again. There’s something so special about watching his eyes move in unison with his writing. I’d rather have an automaton help me than a modern robot!
LikeLiked by 2 people
10/03/2017 at 00:15
pattimoed
It is fascinating and so human.
LikeLiked by 1 person
10/03/2017 at 00:53
First Night Design
By the way, I recently read and adored The Incident at Montebello. It was right up my street as I suspected it might be. I promise to write a review on Amazon and Good Reads but I’m a bit tied up with other stuff at the moment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
10/03/2017 at 01:13
pattimoed
Wow, Sarah!! I am thrilled. I would love another review! That is fantastic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
09/03/2017 at 10:30
janetweightreed10
Wonderful video and yes, pure genius. I will think of you later today as am off to the Orange Tree in Richmond for a matinee performance…Keep smiling 🙂 Janet. xx
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09/03/2017 at 13:12
First Night Design
Oh, give my love to the Orange Tree. The building they’re in now used to be my bank! Keep smiling. 🙂 xxx
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09/03/2017 at 13:14
First Night Design
Did I ever tell you I was brought up in Richmond, for the most part?
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09/03/2017 at 09:15
davidprosser
What an absolute genius.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
09/03/2017 at 13:10
First Night Design
That’s the word. Hugs! xxx
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