THE ART OF CRAFT

The aesthetic side of fine watchmaking demands skills of the highest degree - here's how Jaeger-LeCoultre's artisans combine creativity and technique to produce extraordinary timepieces.

- TAN WEI LIN

When Jaeger-LeCoultre opened its Métiers Rares Atelier in 2016 on its Vallée de Joux premises, it showed how much the Swiss watchmaker prized its artistic capabilities. Not that the manufacture was never focused on the decorative side of horology, of course - it is, after all, one of the few watchmakers in the world that can develop, produce and decorate all its timepieces within its own workshops.

This atelier for rare crafts brings together all of Jaeger-LeCoultre's artisans, including enamellers, chamferers, gem-setters and engravers, who used to work on separate floors, so that they are able to interact and work together more cohesively and creatively. This also serves as a showcase for the maison's full range of crafting skills and expertise. While not everyone has the opportunity to visit the facility, there is much to discover and learn just from the creations that have been made by the very hands of these expert craftsmen. Here, we highlight key artistic disciplines at the manufacture and a few masterpieces that have emerged from it.

ENAMELLING

The age-old art form is a decorative technique often used in watchmaking, whether to create glossy dials in deep, rich and uniform hues or to produce exquisite patterns and artworks of spectacular colours and intricacy.

At Jaeger-LeCoultre, it is an important technique that the maison showcases its artistic expertise with. Exquisite enamelling is seen on both wristwatches and larger masterpieces, such as the one-of-a-kind Atmos Régulateur "Cherry Blossom" from last year.