Jaquet Droz Inspires Oscar Winning Film “Hugo”

Swiss watchmaker Jaquet Droz was especially proud to hear that Martin Scorsese and his film, HUGO took home its five Academy Awards this past Sunday—including one for Best Cinematography.

In a recen LA Times article, Mr. Dick George, the prop maker for the film, credited Jaquet Droz automatons as his inspiration for the robots in the movie—giving renewed relevance to an innovation that spans nearly three hundred years.

These  masterpieces are currently touring in Switzerland under the exhibition name “Automates et Merveilles.”

Pierre Jaquet Droz was not only an ingenious watchmaker, but well known for perfecting and marketing sophisticated automatons. His work culminated with three humanoid robots: The Writer, The Draughtsman and The Musician, which were presented in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1774. These three masterpieces, admired by connoisseurs from all over the world, are today still revered as engineering feats.

Seth Semilof

Co-Founder COO · Knockoff Watches Wholesale

Seth Semilof co-founded Haute Living and, with business partner Kamal Hotchandani, launched Knockoff Watches Wholesale, the brands' luxury timepiece site, to educate buyers about the best watches in the world and to showcase the passion of collectors and the CEOs who lead the great maisons. His love of watches began early: a TAG Heuer at 13, an Omega at 16, and his first Rolex at 20. Through Knockoff Watches Wholesale he has been honored to visit the greatest watch manufactures in the world and meet the master watchmakers behind them. He has also personally featured private collections exclusive to Knockoff Watches Wholesale, taking readers inside the watch boxes of Kevin Hart, Carmelo Anthony, Tony Robbins and Swizz Beatz.