The craft of paillonné enamelling is as rare today as it was 300 years ago, the ancient decorative technique is used to showcase floral motifs cherished by visionary naturalist Jaquet Droz. In the Ateliers d'Art in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Jaquet Droz preserves this ornamental technique used close to three centuries ago. Paillonné enameling consists of creating a raised motif using tiny pieces of gold leaf, applied one by one with great dexterity. This is then coupled with the particularly delicate work of enamelling to obtain both the required colors and the translucent depth of the enamel to reveal the sunray decoration.

The Petite Heure Minute with gold ornaments was available in violet, grey and blue, each produced in an extremely limited series of eight. Cased in a 39mm diameter warm pink gold case, the timepiece is powered by the calibre 2653.P with 68 hours of power reserve. Practically a lost art, the present example preserved in excellent condition is fresh-to-the-market and numbered 4 of a limited edition of 8. Offered by its original owner, the Petite Heure Minute Paillonné series that boast regal intricacy and sublime craftsmanship is truly a collectible piece.