Jaeger-LeCoultre, a Swiss Haute Horlogerie brand, was founded in 1833 and takes its name from its two founders. Today Jaeger-LeCoultre is considered a leading Richemont brand.

 

In October, we had the chance to visit the Jaeger-LeCoultre manufacture which covers 25,000 square meters and which is the largest manufacture in the Vallée de Joux. Before starting the visit, we had to put on lab coats.

We first visited the different workshops. We were able to see the production areas where all the watch components are made, and the place where the different parts are assembled. We then went to the engraving department where details such as the caliber number, jewel number, brand name and "Swiss Made" are engraved. We were also able to witness the assembly of the precious jewels on the watch in the setting workshop.

 

An interesting fact they told us about is that they use a natural glue, derived from the butterflies of Southeast Asia, to attach the paddles to the levers which are the components responsible for the 'ticking' of the watch.

 

During our visit to the house we also had the opportunity to see the different models of watches. The factory has a space designed in the form of a museum. Behind the windows are some unique, most valuable watch models in the world. In addition to the classics, we were able to see the limited edition wristwatches as well as the jewelry watches.

 

One of the most memorable watches of the visit is a pocket watch integrated into a bracelet dating from 1850.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

The photo doesn't do it justice, you have to see it for real to be truly hypnotized. This pocket watch is surrounded by a beautiful brownish red snake made of 22k yellow gold, emeralds, rubies and diamonds.

 

In the museum, near the wristwatches and pocket watches, we also had the opportunity to see larger versions of these watches, such as office watches, commonly known as “Atmos” at Jaeger-LeCoultre.

 

We were able to see the archives as well as the drawings which show a detailed version of all the individual parts of the watch. The archives area contains books and written notes that Monsieur LeCoultre and Jaeger wrote.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

​

​

​

​

​

Towards the end of the visit, we had a meeting with the oldest person in charge of the Atelier des Complications, Christian Laurent. Complications are watches which, in addition to giving the time, can give something else, such as the date, for example.

Before saying goodbye we had the opportunity to try on a dozen watches, including some of their most famous designs.

 

Some models and their stories:

 

Reverso:

It all started when Swiss businessman and watch collector César de Trey attended a polo match at a British Army officers club. One of those officers, who had just smashed the glass on his watch, challenged Trey to create a watch model sturdy enough to withstand a polo match.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

​

​

​

​

Master :

This watch was introduced in 1992 and represents a great achievement for the brand's movements. For a watch to bear the name of Master, it must undergo a battery of tests for 1,000 hours, almost six weeks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

 

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

Polaris Memovox:

This model was released for the first time in 1968. The “memovox” refers to the alarm built into the watch that can also be called “voice of memory”.

Memovox watches are also diving watches. The diver's watch assumes its prestigious lineage with the sports models from Memovox, whose alarm served as an audible signal to remind divers that it was time to come back to the surface. For men who like to live things to the fullest and see everyday life as a permanent source of adrenaline rush, this new interpretation has it all: functions that meet the ISO 6425 standard which governs the characteristics of diving watches, even the exceed, and a design with assertive power