In the mid-1990s, the “Highlands by JeanRichard” watch celebrated “the quintessence of nature”. Peter Beard’s stunning photographs, which featured in the Brand’s advertising visuals, captured the rich beauty of Africa’s nature and landscapes. JeanRichard is once again celebrating this magnificent environment, this time illustrated by Nick Brandt’s beautiful photographs, by presenting an interpretation of the Highlands watch which remains faithful to the character of its precursor and is definitely made for adventure.

Combining a tonneau-shaped middle with a round bezel, the case of the Highlands takes a step away from convention for a resolutely contemporary look. With its generous dimensions (44.50 x 40 mm), made from steel with a sand-blasted finish, the case underscores the model’s masculine appeal. Its robust construction and the use of a screw-down crown make it water-resistant down to 100 metres. The notched aluminium rotating bezel features a second time zone which will appeal to globetrotters. The dials are coloured to evoke the nature of Africa, taking their inspiration directly from the original model and offering perfect readability thanks to their luminescent hands and numerals. The Highlands Sand is equipped with an ecru dial, the colour of desert sand, the black of the Highlands Ebony echoes the colour of ebony wood and the Highlands Baobab features a khaki dial which reflects the colour of the iconic African tree.

The sapphire crystal case-back reveals the JR1000 movement, developed and produced in the brand’s own workshops. Robustness, accuracy and reliability ensure optimal performance in any conditions. However, the expertise employed in its development and the quality of its production have not diminished the attention given to the finishes.

The Highlands is supplied with two straps, one fabric and the other calfskin, in harmonious tones. The buckle’s built-in security system is perfectly adapted to the conditions to which the watch is likely to be exposed…


Produced to demanding specifications, this watch is ideal for adventurous types. It has undergone rigourous testing in the Brand’s own watchmaking laboratory to guarantee its accuracy, durability and water-resistance.

Some of these tests take place inside a climate chamber, where the watch’s resistance is assessed under extreme climatic conditions. Watches are exposed for several days to temperatures varying from -50° to +200°, at humidity levels from 0% to 100%, in order to replicate climatic conditions on the different continents. These conditions allow the case’s corrosion resistance, the behaviour and alteration of the oils and lubricants used and the durability of the soldering to be tested.

Exposure to UV radiation allows the reaction of the sapphire gaskets, hands, dial and strap to be tested in order to detect any alterations or discolouration.

To test their resistance to impact, watches and movements undergo the demanding 5000G test, among others. This machine simulates extreme conditions using a hammer, which strikes the watch attached to a support.

The straps also undergo numerous tests, including the “Straptest” which measures the resistance of the leather or fabric to torsion and tension. For a fabric strap, the machine applies 3000 pulls and 3000 twists under both damp and dry conditions.

Finally, to test the requirement for water-resistance down to 100 metres, each Highlands case is immersed in a tank of demineralised water and subjected to a pressure of 10 bar. It then undergoes the condensation test to confirm its water-resistance.

In 1990, Peter Beard’s photographs emphasised the beauty of the Highlands collection.
In 2011, JeanRichard collaborates with Nick Brandt for a Highlands revival.

Nick Brandt is a British photographer who specialises in intimate portraits of animals of the African savannah.

His approach is a far cry from the animal shots seen in traditional colour documentary photography. Nick Brandt does not use a telephoto lens, which means all his animal portraits are taken at close quarters, enabling him to capture the true character of the subject. His spectacular panoramic shots document animals in their natural surroundings, and are reminiscent of the studio portraits of the early 20^th century.