News Almost three centuries have passed since Pierre Jaquet Droz held the royal courts of Europe spellbound with his trio of renowned automata. The most astonishing of these was the «Writer», because it could be programmed to produce a given sentence in a flowing script. This year, Jaquet Droz has gone a step further with the «Signing machine». It uses historic cam technology but in miniature size, while its dimensions are inspired by the most emblematic object of the new millennium: the smartphone.
The «Signing machine» has a 4-digit security code and can be manually wound. The automaton is manufactured as a bespoke piece for its owner. Simply pressing twice with your finger releases a hinged arm and pen. Driven by a set of cams that are handmade in order to produce a fluid, natural script, it duplicates its owner’s signature. This operation can be admired through the transparent window that reveals the internal workings.
April 29, 2014
