For the first time in the history of Harrods, its legendary windows on Brompton Road showcase a large scale and immersive experience in real watchmaking with the manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre
For the first time in the history of Harrods, its legendary windows on Brompton Road showcase a large scale and immersive experience in real watchmaking with the manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre.
This seminal exhibition brings together all major Metiers rares and the renowned Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Class, marking the 180th anniversary of the manufacture.
Jérôme Lambert, Chief Executive Officer of Jaeger-LeCoultre, who is proud to present the concept and development of this large-scale exhibition at Harrods, says, ‘One hundred and eighty years after the founding of our manufacture in Switzerland, Jaeger-LeCoultre has a following of watch connoisseurs in all corners of the world. Harrods truly being a “window to the world”, what better place to showcase the talent and expertise of the manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre in the very windows of this iconic destination?’
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Michael Ward, Managing Director, Harrods, adds, ‘Harrods are extremely excited to be partnering with Jaeger-LeCoultre in celebration of the manufacture’s 180th anniversary. As luxury brand leaders we share an esteemed history and a great understanding of the true notion of luxury.
‘Harrods continues to position itself as a global market leader within the fine watch industry and our partnership with Jaeger-LeCoultre enables us to further strengthen that reputation.’
Jason Broderick, General Merchandise Manager, Fine Watches and Menswear, Harrods: ‘We are delighted to play host to such an extraordinary event in fine watch-making and to partner with Jaeger-LeCoultre in celebration of their momentous 180th anniversary.
‘At Harrods we strive to create a unique point of difference and exciting, original experiences for our customers whilst offering the very best product selection. Through Jaeger-LeCoultre’s unique vision we have brought to life an utterly immersive watchmaking experience which will surprise and delight both watch connoisseurs and customers new to the brand, all housed within our iconic Brompton Road windows.’
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Leading experts from Jaeger-LeCoultre specialised in Metiers rares and fine watchmaking set up workshops dedicated to the art of watch making. Four master crafts of Jaeger-LeCoultre will be demonstrated starting with Watchmaking (6-12 May), where guests will don the white coat of a ‘watchmaker’ to test their dexterity and understand the workings of a real watch of Jaeger-LeCoultre.
From the smallest pinion to the largest barrel, learn to assemble the main spring, responsible for powering the train wheels, through to the escapement or ‘heart’ of the watch which regulates the energy to the balance. Working with these minute components under the guidance of the watchmakers of the manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre will highlight many key aspects of true savoir-faire in fine watchmaking today.
Highlighting the Metiers rares, all in-house at the manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre, the following three crafts will be celebrated through masterclasses: Engraving (13-19 May), Enamelling (20-25 May) and Gem setting (26-31 May).
These master classes offer clients an exclusive glimpse in to the know-how of a manufacture synonymous with craftsmanship, tradition and invention. To accompany these master classes’ visitors will also have a chance to see:
· A recreation of founder Antoine LeCoultre, original workshop from 1833.
· A wall dedicated to the 1,242 calibres that the manufacture has produced over its 180 year history.
· A unique exhibition of nine Atmos Clocks, a revolutionary clock that Jaeger-LeCoultre invented in 1928, that by means of a complex system draws its energy from atmospheric variations.
· One window solely dedicated to the most complex of ‘Sonnerie’ watches, the Hybris Mechanica à Grande Sonnerie. A watch equipped with a flying tourbillon and minute repeater, created to chime the longest melody, a Grande Sonnerie has even chimed the iconic melody of Westminster’s ‘Big Ben’.
Hidden behind the Grande Sonnerie window, Harrods visitors can also discover a secret high complication room. A collector’s paradise, this room houses, for the first time in the UK the eight leading pieces of the Hybris Mechanica creations of the manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre and the very latest ‘Tribute to Antoine LeCoultre Jubilee watches’.
Three key products are available from Harrods:
· The Reverso Répétition Minutes à Rideau, the first Haute Horlogerie watch to incorporate a curtain that slides activating a minute repeater function
· The Master Gyrotourbillon 1 platinum, equipped with a three-dimensional spherical tourbillon and perpetual calendar
· The Atmos Marqueterie ‘The Accomplishment’, part of a series of Atmos clocks paying tribute to the Gustav Klimt Art Nouveau creations, constructed using more than 1,200 different species of wood and gold leaf, a truly magnificent art work in itself.
Watch connoisseurs are invited to contact Jaeger-LeCoultre at Harrods on +44(0) 207 730 1234 to reserve a place in the Master classes. Participation is complementary but a donation to the Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts is requested.
The Prince’s Foundation For Children & The Arts
Jaeger-LeCoultre is proud to also announce that the month-long exhibition at Harrods will be in support of The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts. His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales set up The Prince’s Foundation for Children & The Arts because of his belief that every child has the right to be inspired by the arts.
Children & The Arts UK wide arts engagement programmes encourage active participation with the arts amongst children from areas of social and economic disadvantage by building partnerships between their schools and local cultural venues. The charity takes children on a journey into their local arts venue and unlocks the arts for those who need to be inspired by them the most.
The impact can be significant, raising children’s self-esteem and confidence, nurturing their communication skills and improving academic attainment whilst also building aspirations for new vocational opportunities for the first time. Through the work of Children & The Arts, children discover new horizons and learn that cultural venues are welcoming, accessible places to visit.
Since 2006 The Prince’s Foundation for Children & The Arts has introduced over 300,000 young people to life-changing arts experiences, ensuring that the art they see and hear is of supreme quality.
Jeremy Newton, Chief Executive of The Prince’s Foundation for Children & The Arts says, ‘We are delighted to be working with Jaeger-LeCoultre, who share our passion for setting the highest possible standards of creativity, craftsmanship and design.’
For further information, please visit www.childrenandarts.org.uk.
Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre. The Inventors of the Vallée de Joux
A leading player in watchmaking history since 1833, Jaeger-LeCoultre is celebrating its 180th anniversary. At a time when the Swiss horological industry was still built around home-based workshops, Antoine LeCoultre and his son Elie decided to unite under one roof the many forms of expertise involved in making a watch.
LeCoultre & Cie thus become the first manufacture of the Vallée de Joux. It now houses the over 180 skills required to develop and produce the most prestigious timepieces.
Committed to a constant quest for excellence and supported by a uniquely inventive spirit, Jaeger-LeCoultre perpetuates the tradition of Grande Complication models introduced by the manufacture through a succession of extraordinary creations: Atmos Mystérieuse (2003), Gyrotourbillon 1 (2004), Reverso grande complication à triptyque (2006), Master Compressor Extreme Lab 1 (2007), Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2 (2008), Duomètre à Grande Sonnerie (2009), Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication (2010), Reverso Répétition Minutes à Rideau (2011) and Duomètre Sphérotourbillon (2012) and Master Grand Tradition Gyrotourbillon 3 Jubilee (2013).
For further information, please visit www.jaeger-lecoultre.com.
Harrods Fine Watch Room
The Fine Watch Room at Harrods is the world’s ultimate destination for haute horology with an extensive offer of over 40 brands across 18,000sq ft of luxury retail space. Housing boutique brands, independents and internationally renowned manufactures, Harrods offer is quite simply unparalleled.
Thirteen own-brand boutiques including Jaeger-LeCoultre are housed within the Fine Watch Room on the ground floor at Harrods, offering customers the opportunity to step into the unique universes of the world’s leading haute horology brands.
A further exceptional edit of timepieces are showcased within four circular counters situated within the centre of the room, carefully curated by Harrods expert buying teams. For further information, please visit harrods.com.
