If last time with the Club we delved into the history of the Reverso, this time the focus was on astronomical complications, with a workshop on measuring time by observing the stars. An experience that culminated in a practical test: building an astronomical mechanism, but of course on a 10:1 scale.
In the Grand Complications atelier, some of the House's most famous astronomical watches were shown in action, including the Master Grande Tradition with sky chart. In addition, the most exclusive models, those of the Duomètre and Hybris Mechanica lines, were made available for guests to observe and handle - a unique opportunity.
Every watch component at Jaeger-LeCoultre has been made in-house for centuries. This is testified to by the archive of no less than 6,000 moulds corresponding to as many watch components, which form the heritage of the manufacture. Because even today, here in Le Sentier, vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre watches are restored and brought back to life thanks to the exceptional work of preserving the necessary crafts and tools.
A visit to the Heritage Gallery, an exhibition of the company's history and achievements, is also very popular. Here you can admire pieces such as the Milionometer made by Antoine LeCoultre in 1884, the first tool capable of measuring the micron, i.e. the millionth part of the metre, the standard unit of measurement for Swiss haute horology. Or the legendary Calibre 101 of 1929, still holding the record for the smallest mechanical movement ever made.
The last stop was at the Atmos clock assembly and restoration workshop. One of the timepieces that have marked the history, not only of Jaeger-LeCoultre, but of Swiss watchmaking as a whole: completely unaffected by any kind of power supply or energy source problem, whether electrical or mechanical, it is equipped with a special device that keeps the gears of the watch in motion thanks to the natural variations in temperature of the surrounding environment.
