Founded during the Enlightenment, theManufacture JaquetDroz has always created superb timepieces celebrating the brilliance of precious stones and the purity of fine enamelwork. From the musical watches, carillons and mechanical figures presented at the royal courts of 18th-century Europe to its most contemporary creations, the Manufacture has consistently combined great creativity with stunning technical superiority in the avant-garde of luxury watchmaking. The travel theme has always inspired the Manufacture, starting with its founder, Pierre Jaquet Droz (1721-1790), an extraordinary inventor who captivated not only Old World capitals but also the Forbidden City in Peking. The philosophy of this roving genius, curious about the world and exacting in his craft, inspired several of the timepieces that bear his name. The most emblematic of these is ?Les Douze Villes?. Inside a 18-carat white gold case, an ingenious self-winding double-barrel mechanical movement offers a power reserve of 68 hours. Its bridges and plates are adorned with prestige ?Côtes de Genève? patterning. While the bezel and dial interact gracefully with subtle off-centred curves, a single lancine hand sweeps the minute indicators. The jumping hour subdial is located at 12 o?clock; the respective tempos of twelve cities (the ?Douze Villes?) beat at 6 o?clock. Monaco, of course. New York, obviously. London, naturally. But also Moscow, Istanbul, Dubai, Aspen, Mexico, Tokyo, the Azores, Sydney and Shanghai. The sight of these local times appeals to the imagination, suggesting instant time travel or a magic carpet ride! ?When you?re in love with one of its inhabitants,? the poet and novelist Lawrence Durrell once wrote, ?a city can become a world.?