Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie

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Jaeger-LeCoultre, Extreme Watches for an Extreme World

Published: 26 August 2010

Jaeger-LeCoultre devotes a book to extreme watches

“Everything always begins with an adventure. The desire to discover, to overcome, to attain. How about setting off for a far-distant destination?... Wouldn’t it be great to climb right to the top of that mountain?... Why not descend to the very depths of the ocean?... But adventure is not only about geography or sportsmanship. It can also be about inventing something truly novel, about creating, imagining, innovating. This book is dedicated to all adventurers, explorers and other conquerors of the impossible. It tells the story of challenges, efforts and triumphs. It also tells of a key element in many such feats: time.”
Jérôme Lambert, CEO, Jaeger-LeCoultre

There are dreams… and then there’s reality. Right from its origins, Jaeger-LeCoultre has consistently sought to submit its watches to tests even harsher than those of measuring and testing devices, by confronting them with real life. And much more besides…

The Manufacture has often entrusted its time measuring instruments to explorers, champions and adventurers, whose mission is to test them in the most extreme conditions of use, in moments when precision, resistance and performance are of vital importance. Jaeger-LeCoultre has decided to bring together all these adventures, these heroes and these exceptional watches within a book based on an original concept. Page after page, readers are immersed into the heart of the various feats depicted and described, as well as into the core of the revolutionary mechanisms that have been making their mark on watchmaking history for over 170 years.

For Jaeger-LeCoultre, the adventure of extreme watches began in 1833 in an isolated Swiss valley, when Antoine LeCoultre and his watchmakers personally tested their creations featuring innovative technical solutions by climbing the highest peaks in the Alps. This was already a genuine challenge in an era when most watches never left the cosy comfort of a waistcoat pocket…

The following years and decades witnessed the emergence of a proud lineage of actionoriented watches. Each brought a new function, an original technological feature, enhanced performance, water-resistance or reliability, steadily enriching the Jaeger-LeCoultre watchmaking heritage with an incomparable sum of know-how…

When the Nautilus submarine was first commissioned to slip under the ice pack in order to be the first to reach the North Pole in submerged mode, Jaeger-LeCoultre developed the Geophysic chronometer, equipped with a case impervious to magnetic fields.

When scuba diving became a leisure sport, Jaeger-LeCoultre invented the Memovox Deep Sea, the world’s first diver’s watch equipped with an alarm.

When Emannuel Coindre set out to row solo across the North Pacific, he was wearing a Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Extreme World Chronograph.

When Valentino Rossi, the most gifted motorcycle racer of all time, hits the track, he does it with a Master Compressor Extreme W-Alarm on his wrist.

When Jaeger-LeCoultre checks the water resistance of the Master Compressor Diving GMT, the test takes place in real-life conditions at a depth of 1,000 metres.

When Aston Martin racing drivers take part in the Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race, they choose the AMVOX2 watch, the first pushpiece-free chronograph.

When three mountaineers wished to pay tribute to the most extreme watch ever developed and produced by Jaeger-LeCoultre, they took the Master Compressor Extreme LAB2 Tribute to Geophysic to the top of the world, in the Himalayas.

Jaeger-LeCoultre has chosen to present these feats, these adventures and these watches by providing a fascinating account of each in words and pictures. In this book infused with genuine passion, produced in cooperation with Stephan Ciejka, editor-in-chief of the Revue des Montres, watchmaking technology remains discreetly in the background in order to give pride of place to human beings, to dreams and to emotions.

Jaeger-LeCoultre, Extreme Watches for an Extreme World, an exclusive book dedicated to all lovers of fine watchmaking.

Hublot - Jean-Claude Biver rewarded by the Prize Gaïa 2010

Published: 17 August 2010

Prix Gaïa 2010

The Jury for the 2010 Gaïa Prize has nominated

Mr Jacques Muller and Mr Elmar Mock
as winners in the Craftsmanship-Creation category,
inventors of new technical solutions contained in the patents of the conception of the original Swatch watch

and Mr Jean-Claude Biver, Hublot CEO
as winner in the Entrepreneurship category,
for his career in its totality and in his capacity as visionary businessman and marketing genius.

The prizes will be awarded on the 16th September 2010 at 18.30 at the Musée international d’horlogerie Salle Hans Erni. There will be musical interludes during the ceremony and refreshments at the end.

In 1993, the Gaïa Prize was created in honour of one of the first patrons of the Musée d’horlogerie, Maurice Ditisheim, president of the Board of Directors of the Bureau de contrôle des ouvrages en métaux précieux, a distinction destined to reward prominent figures whose activities, works and studies linked to time have promoted watchmaking and its art far beyond national borders.

Since 2007, the Gaïa Prize has been favoured with the support of the Banque Julius Baer & Cie SA.

Musée international d’horlogerie
Rue des Musées 29
tél. +41 32 967 68 61
fax +41 32 722 07 61
CH-2300 La Chaux-de-Fonds
mih.vch@ne.ch
www.mih.ch

Le Magazine de la Haute Horlogerie fait peau neuve

Published: 16 July 2010

English coming soon

Le Magazine de la Haute Horlogerie fait peau neuve

A la veille des vacances horlogères, le Magazine de la Haute Horlogerie adopte une nouvelle formule graphique. Plus aérée, mieux hiérarchisée, plus claire et nettement plus animée, cette présentation rend la lecture plus aisée, la navigation plus facile et, nous l’espérons, l’intérêt plus grand de se plonger au cœur de la Haute Horlogerie.

Si les rubriques de l’ancienne formule ont été conservées, elles s’enrichissent désormais de trois nouveaux rendez-vous que sont les « Coups de cœurs » de la rédaction, « Verbatim », soit les échos des acteurs de cet univers particulier et de ses observateurs, et « L’air du temps », éditorial du Président de la Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie Franco Cologni. Le site comprend également un volet multimédia qui s’enrichit de vidéos et diaporamas venant donner un éclairage particulier aux différents aspects de cette « industrie artisanale ».

Les internautes habitués du site retrouveront également leur actualité au quotidien, nourrie par les informations en provenance des Maisons horlogères, ainsi que, dès la rentrée, un flux de dépêches concernant l’univers du luxe, ses aspects stratégiques, économiques et financiers.

Avec cette nouvelle « formule » du Magazine de la Haute Horlogerie, nous espérons remplir vos attentes, vous informer, vous divertir et vous donner tout loisir de découvrir les multiples facettes d’un monde qui nous fascine tous.

New Jaeger-LeCoultre Extract from the Archives

Published: 14 July 2010

The new Jaeger-LeCoultre Extract from the Archives, reflecting the excellence of antique models from the Manufacture.

Since spring 2010, Jaeger-Lecoultre is offering collectors and connoisseurs of fine objects a beautifully made brand-new Extract from the Archives featuring substantial content and an overall quality reflecting the excellence of the timepieces from the Manufacture.
This official document retraces the origin of the timepieces crafted in the Jaeger-LeCoultre workshops. A precious fragment of the history of the Grande Maison, it reproduces the parts of the archives relating to the production of the timepieces it describes: model, calibre, functions, exterior, production date and distinctive features.

The new Jaeger-LeCoultre Extract from the Archives is intended to provide authentic added value for the objects it accompanies. Inspired by the aesthetic of the company’s 19th century share certificates, each Extract from the Archives is made from precious paper, embellished with silver heat-embossed or laser-engraved motifs, and protected by a handassembled jacket. Each Extract is signed by the Jaeger-LeCoultre Antique Watch Expert, and bears the official seal of the Heritage department.

Two paths lead to this obtention of this precious document: the Contact section of the www.jaegerlecoultre.com website, or the classic Customer Service route. A fee of CHF 300.- is charged to cover the cost of researching and establishing this document. In order to undertake the necessary investigations, the antique watch expert must be provided with photos of the watch or clock, of its movement, as well as the case and calibre numbers.

The creation of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Extract from the Archives is contributing to the growing recognition of antique models from the Manufacture. The first Extract from the Archives was devoted – as is only fitting – to the famous 1958 Geophysic Chronometer which accompanied the first ascent of a virgin Himalayan peak now christened Mount Antoine LeCoultre. Auctioned by Jaeger-LeCoultre on behalf of UNESCO, this antique steel watch sold for over 20,000 Swiss francs.

Girard-Perregaux ww.tc steel chronograph

Published: 9 July 2010

Girard-Perregaux ww.tc steel chronograph

One of Girard-Perregaux's great classics, the elegant ww.tc (world wide time control) chronograph is being unveiled in a new technical and dynamic steel version.

Created in 2000, the ww.tc (world wide time control) collection quickly became one of the Girard-Perregaux Manufacture's iconic lines, combining sophisticated style with watchmaking expertise. Its "world time" function provides a simultaneous display of all time zones on its dial. The secret of its exclusive system is a coupling mechanism used for driving a ring displaying the time for 24 time zones, represented by the same number of cities. The hour ring has a day/night contrast function which makes it easier to read.

The original model in this collection, the ww.tc chronograph is available in a new steel version. Its ergonomic and generously-sized 43mm case is entirely satin-finished, which emphasises the subtle strength of its design. Its matt black "stepped" dial has also been subtly reworked in the same style, playing with the contrasts of black and white; the 24-hour ring has been redesigned with two arrows showing its direction of rotation, and new baton-style hands indicate the hours and minutes.

A fusion of technical virtuosity, the exclusive GP033C0 in-house movement combines chronograph and date functions with world time indication. The 13’’’ self-winding calibre features a 46-hour power reserve. Its finishes, which can be seen through the sapphire case-back, are examples of the finest watchmaking tradition: circular graining on the main plate, Côtes de Genève on the bridges and oscillating weight, and blued steel screws.

The elegant matt black alligator strap has a deployant buckle to guarantee the wearer optimum comfort. A version with a steel bracelet, also with a full satin finish, is also available.

Technical specifications

Steel case
Diameter: 43.00 mm
Height: 13.40 mm
Case-back: sapphire crystal, secured by 6 screws
Water resistance: 50 metres

Girard-Perregaux GP033C0 self-winding mechanical movement
Calibre: 13'''
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations/hour (4 Hz)
Jewels: 63
Power reserve: minimum 46 hours
Functions: hours, minutes, small second, world time with day/night indicator, chronograph, date
REF: 49805-11-650-BA6A
Also available with steel bracelet, REF: 49805-11-650-11A

New temporary exhibition in the Jaeger-LeCoultre Heritage Gallery.

Published: 25 June 2010

Invention through movement

As watchmaking’s most inventive manufacturer, Jaeger-LeCoultre owed it to itself to devote a temporary exhibition in its Heritage Gallery to the theme of invention. The scenography blends classical and high-tech elements to immerse visitors into the very heart of the process of invention. It retraces the main steps that led to the creation of four calibres presented in 2010. From the first idea to the finished watch, thousands of hours of research are required to find new technical and aesthetic solutions placed in the service of precision, complications, useful functions, and resistance. Each creation is a magnificent human adventure.

The spirit of invention is second nature to Jaeger-LeCoultre. Born in 1833 from the invention of a pinion-cutting machine, the Manufacture with its 40 professions and 20 cutting-edge technologies has created over 1000 different calibres, of which more than 500 are equipped with complications, and has filed 390 patents. Since the year 2000, the watchmakers, engineers and artisans have filed 80 patents and created 68 calibres, introducing a string of world firsts including the spherical tourbillon spinning on two axes; the first wristwatch with three dials
driven by a single movement; the first lubricant-free wristwatch; the first Grande Sonnerie mechanism sounding the complete Westminster chime; and the world’s most complicated wristwatch.

Inaugurated in March 2010, the new temporary exhibition in the Jaeger-LeCoultre Heritage Gallery invites visitors to plunge into the very heart of the inventive process. How is a new project born? Upon what heritage do the engineers build in devising new technical solutions? What needs do the inventions meet? The exhibition sets the stage for the four main calibres presented by the Manufacture in 2010 and tells the story of their development, emphasizing their contributions to the fields of precision, useful functions, resistance and Grandes Complications.

The first exhibition area is devoted to the Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2 Tribute to Geophysic, a watch with a Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 780 that has been equipped with complications specifically intended for extreme conditions. The exhibition also highlights the rich heritage of the Manufacture in the field of chronographs: the first chronograph made using partially mechanised processes (1870); the first “flyback” type system (1877); a patent for secure instant minute counters (1892); ultra-thin calibres (1908); a retrograde counter (1995); and the revolutionary Dual-Wing concept (2007).

Just opposite, serving as a “black box” embodying the creative process, a 3D display provides animated technical plans presenting the main inventions of Calibre 780, a mechanism that called for 22,000 hours of development. Visitors can thus learn for example how the engineers
optimised the readability of the chronograph by creating a digital counter with secure jumping discs; how the function selection was entirely redesigned using a crown housing a pushpiece; how the “radial” power-reserve indicator circles the dial circumference; and how the 712 parts of this watch make it the world’s most accomplished and sophisticated sports chronograph.

At the end of this technical “full-immersion” experience, visitors can admire the watch itself, in its version featuring a case in TiVan (a titanium and vanadium alloy), a model identical to the one worn by mountaineer Stéphane Schaffter during the ascension of the virgin Himalayan peak newly christened Mount Antoine LeCoultre, on October 22nd 2009.

The second exhibition area shows that major inventions endure for decades. Presented at the SIHH 2010, the Master Memovox International contains Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 956, the fifthgeneration movement since Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 815 (1956) – the first movement ever to combine an alarm with automatic movement. This technical concept was so advanced that it has remained unchanged ever since. Nonetheless, each new generation has been endowed with the latest breakthroughs in terms of precision and reliability: an oscillating weight with a rotor mounted on ball bearings; a high-frequency escapement; a variable-inertia balance, etc. A legendary watch from the post-war boom period, the Memovox remains the ultimate expression of useful functions.

The third section of the exhibition presents the Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication, a model in direct line with the history of ultra-complicated watches created by the Manufacture since the 19th century. The “sound system” of its minute repeater mechanism represents the culmination of several years of acoustic research and features articulated hammers striking square-section “cathedral” gong-rings made from a secret alloy and generating a sound that is amplified by the sapphire crystal protecting the watch dial.To regulate the mechanism and compensate for the effects of gravity, a flying tourbillon spins on its axis once a minute. In turn driving the watch dial itself, the tourbillon gravitates around the centre of the watch at the same rotation speed as that of the earth in relation to the stars, meaning 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4 seconds – thus enabling it to indicate sidereal time (the reference for astronomers). Simultaneously, a small sun circles the dial in 24 hours, indicating civil or standard time. The small discrepancy daily created by the superimposition of these two rhythms enables the watch to display both civil and zodiac calendars. Equipped with Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 945, this watch harks back to the very historical sources of time measurement history: its small gear trains reproduce the movements of the earth in relation to the sun and stars, and the association of the earth’s rotation and its gravitation around the sun serves to provide the calendar indications.

The fourth area focuses on precision by presenting Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 381, created for the Duomètre Quantième Lunaire. Writing a new chapter in the history of timekeeping, its unique technical concept combines two mechanisms within a single movement. Two gear trains each equipped with its own barrel are both governed by a single regulating organ. Exclusively dedicated to precision, the first gear train exchanges energy with the balance and does not drive any hands or other functions. The second handles all the watch functions, including the large moon display and the jumping seconds, but does not exchange any energy with the balance.

The crown is equipped with a complex system serving to set the time to the nearest sixth of a second using a stop seconds device that does not stop the balance! Each in its own field, the four models featured in this exhibition offer new technical solutions that literally reinvent the concepts of precision, useful functions and user-friendliness, thereby contributing to the advancement of the grand Swiss tradition of complicated watches.

Master in Luxury Management Open doors day 17th of June

Published: 7 June 2010

Presentation of the Master in Luxury Management and temporary subscriptions. Share a drink with the organizers and the 22 participants in 2009-2010. They will be pleased to answer all your questions.

Thursday the 17th of June 2010, from 4pm to 5pm

Open to everyone, withouth reservation.

Haute Ecole de Gestion (HEG)
Campus de Battelle, Bâtiment F, 7 route de Drize, 1227 Carouge - Geneva
Central corridar, 3rd floor, in front of room F 323 - For additionnal information : 022 3881879