The collection, including its exceptional Hybris Mechanica and Haute Joaillerie creations, is available for public viewing from the 20th to the 22nd of August 2014. The impressive showcase marked the first time a collection of this nature has been on display in the country and offered audiences a rare insight into the exquisite and elaborate craftsmanship involved in haute horlogerie and grandes complications.
“Since 1833 Jaeger-LeCoultre has always pushed the boundaries of innovation whilst staying true to its rich heritage and tradition. We are thrilled to be in Sri Lanka to showcase our latest collections and reveal a snapshot into more than 181 years of history and the extensive array of our craftsmanship that takes place at ‘La Grande Maison’ under one single roof,” said Dinesh Aswani, Country Manager for Jaeger-LeCoultre. “As our partnership with Chatham Luxury continues to grow, we look forward to an even stronger presence in the market,” he added.
Extreme Innovation
Think-tanks composed of insatiable visionaries and tireless developers: such is the very nature of the teams at Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre, it enables them, to remain an authentic pioneer in the field of Grandes Complications. The Hybris Mechanica collection which features 11 watches that are true technical feats reflects the expertise and innovation of the Manufacture, and a selection of these exceptional pieces takes pride of place at this event.
A selection of Timeless Classics
During the showcase Jaeger-LeCoultre presented the latest in its collections of timeless classics including the Reverso, the Rendez-Vous and the Duomètre.
Over the years, the Reverso has appeared in a number of different guises and been enriched with various unusual sizes and new horological complications – all the while remaining loyal to the spirit of the watch with two faces.
Born of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s wish to offer contemporary women a timepiece in their own image, the Rendez-Vous collection boldly proclaims its origins. It encapsulates the expertise that the Maison has developed since its founding in 1833. It enshrines a radiant femininity that time cannot alter. At once contemporary and classic, it naturally establishes itself as a loyal daily companion.
The unique technical nature and distinctive styling of the Duomètre clearly place it in the most exclusive echelons of watchmaking fine art. Its new-generation movement is based on an unprecedented concept nicknamed Dual-Wing. A genuine revolution in terms of watchmaking precision, the Dual-Wing concept is composed of two separate watch mechanisms connected by a shared regulating organ.
The 2014 Haute Joaillerie collection
The showcase in Sri Lanka also featured the latest in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Haute Joaillerie collection, which crystallises within its creations the encounter between fine watchmaking and fine jewellery, dreaming up models that become an intimate part of daily life, loyal confidantes at night and faithful companions of exceptional moments. This year, the Rendez-Vous and Reverso collections are reinventing themselves in order to further enhance their appeal while the exceptional character of complications in Master Grande Tradition and Master lines is further underscored by the exquisite diamond setting.
“We are thrilled to have one of the leading brands in the global watch industry represented in Sri Lanka by Chatham, and are keen to develop awareness of the rich history & cutting edge design of Jaeger-LeCoultre,” said Siddarth Hirdaramani, Director of Chatham Luxury Watches. “Having recently completed one year in operation, we are excited about the interest shown in the Sri Lankan market and we will be continuing to invest in developing this potential by expanding our retail operations in delivering the world’s best watch brands at the most competitive prices in the region,” he added.
This special viewing featuring over 40 unique timepieces from one of the most inventive companies in the watch industry, is on display only for a limited time period at Chatham Luxury Watches.
La Grande Maison
Recently celebrating 180 years in watchmaking, the Jaeger-LeCoultre adventure began in 1833 when self-taught watchmaker Antoine LeCoultre set up his own workshop after inventing a pinion-cutting machine. This invention was to be followed by dozens of others and hundreds of patents, each of which contributed to forging the international reputation of Swiss watchmaking. The small workshops grew so fast that it was soon nicknamed the “Grande Maison” in the Vallée de Joux.
In 1903, the Paris-based watchmaker to the French Navy, Edmond Jaeger, challenged Swiss manufacturers to develop and produce the ultra-thin movements that he had invented. Jacques-David LeCoultre, the founder’s grandson, decided to take up the gauntlet. His ensuing cooperation and friendship with Edmond Jaeger was to give rise to one of the world’s most extraordinary collections of ultra-thin watches, including the thinnest in the world, equipped with LeCoultre Calibre 145 (1.38 mm thick). These were soon followed by pioneering work in the field of wristwatches, and subsequently by the birth of the Jaeger-LeCoultre brand.
During the course of its history, Jaeger-LeCoultre has created and produced over 1,200 different calibres and filed more than 400 patents. The Grande Maison has a number of world firsts to its credit, along with superlative achievements and legendary watches such as the Reverso, the Duoplan, the Memovox, the Polaris, the Gyrotourbillon 1 and 2, the Duomètre line, as well as the perpetual Atmos clock.
Chatham Luxury Watches
Sri Lanka's first multi-brand watch store, Chatham is the authorised retailer for a select group of the world's finest watch creators. Each of the carefully selected brands available at Chatham come with a 100 plus year pedigree and are considered the most magnificent of Swiss timepieces. In addition to the extensive collection carried in-store customers can also order any watch from the range offered by these brands. The exquisitely designed flagship store is located at Galle Face Court in Colombo, and offers the ultimate experience in luxury shopping.
Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre. The Inventors from the Vallée de Joux.
Established in 1833 Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre is based in the Vallée de Joux (Switzerland) and currently houses the 180 skills required to entirely develop and produce the most prestigious timepieces. Driven by a uniquely inventive spirit, Jaeger-LeCoultre perpetuates the tradition of Grand Complication models illustrated by extraordinary creations and legendary watches such as the Reverso, the 101 watch, the Geophysic, the Memovox, the Master Control, the Gyrotourbillon, as well as the Atmos clock. Building on a vast heritage comprising 1,249 mechanical calibres and around 413 registered patents, Jaeger-LeCoultre remains the reference in the field of Fine Watchmaking.
