ThePurists trip 2004
Jaeger-LeCoultre

by Jaw
(c) November 2004

PuristS trip to MJLC
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Part 1, my first Gyro experience at 12,000 ft.

By the time I arrived at Singapore Changi Airport for my flight on the twenty- fifth evening, I had gone over all the logistic work in my mind at least a million times.

(Pre- flight snacks)

(1) In choosing the most enthusiastic 16 out of 35 responses to ensure that the Participants were truly interested in visiting MJLC, I made sure my announcement notice was not too exciting. It was without attractive photos of the activities planned and no mention of MJLC's agreement to arrange and pay for all accommodation, activities and meals incurred in Le Sentier was made.

(At the Singapore Airlines lounge with the Gyro)

(2) Getting things right for everyone, including 3 different coach pickups from Geneva Airport.

Hard work? Not that I noticed, knowing that getting to wear the Gyrotourbillon prototype meant being able to personally test the Gyrotourbillon at 12,000 ft above sea level for the first time for 12-1/2 hours on my flight to Zurich and then for another 50 minutes from Zurich to Geneva, yay.

(At 12,000 ft inside the SIA flight to Zurich, oddly not as boring as usual )

Of course, as tested by Jaeger-LeCoultre CEO on several occassions, the watch performed flawlessly even at 12,000 ft.

My arrival at Geneva was a pleasant one as I was greeted by a driver holding the Jaeger-LeCoultre sign!

Jaw

Something I have forgotten until reminded by a friendly email, thanks!
Once we checked into the room, a pot of flower (anyone has a photo of the flower?) a box of delicious hand-made chocolate and a welcome note from CEO Jerome Lambert greeted us in the room:

(Excellent Hand-made chocolate, probably from Geneva)

(The card signed and initialed by CEO Jerome Lambert, with a note saying "We are delighted to welcome you for a 3-day journey into the centre of time with Jaeger-LeCoultre at the Valee de Joux. We thank you in advance for a 2-year very special Partnership (with ThePuristS) and wish you an unforgettable stay with us in Switzerland"

Jaw

Part 2 - Our first dinner at Valee de Joux, 26th October 2004

(From left, Tim Lake, Daniel Liu and Suitbert Walter, a pre dinner discussion)

(Andy McEvan)

Thankfully, all 13 arrived Valee de Joux by luxury coach safely and 3 brave ones drove their own cars to the hotel, braving the foggy mountain weather.

(From left, Designer intern Carolie, Creative Director and Chief Designer Janek Dieleskewicz, Andy McEvan and Tim Howes)

8pm, on our first dinner before programme proper, we were greeted by Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre's team - including Product Development Director Stephane Belmont, Creative Director Janek Dieleskewicz and his 2 new trainees.

(From left, Dino Pozzato and Jerome Berder)

Thank you very much MJLC!

(The 2 charming designers in training)

(From left, Jerome Berder, Tim Lake, Mitch Katz & Andrew Hildreth)

(Marie Beng with her Master Home Time in uniquely red leather strap, and comparing with Janek's Brown strap Home Time)

(MJLC Product Development director Stephane Belmont, in light blue shirt)

(Dinner tables)

If you have not seen all the 16 PuristS yet, be patient

Jaw

Part 3 - Welcome briefing on 27th Oct morning

(Simone Prevalet gave a brief welcome speech)

The intensive programme kicked off on 08.30 hours, with a welcome speech by Simone Prevalet from Marketing & Communication, and a brief MJLC overview by Stephane Belmont.

(Stephane Belmont gave a brief overview of Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre)

CEO Jerome Lambert did not forget to came in and gave us a brief welcome speech (Any members got a shot of Jerome's brief welcome speech?, if so, please help post here, thanks!)

(Benedicte Ferlet & Stephane Belmont)

It is worth noting (and we do thank you for the great work you have done!) that the whole PuristS visit was planned by Simone Prevalet, asisted by Benedicte Ferlet, and of course, with the support of the whole top MJLC management.

(Damien Lim and Carl Fafilek, listened intensely)

(From left, Dino Pozzato & Suitbert Walter)

(From left, Jerome Berder & Andrew Hildreth)

Jaw

Part 4 - Computer design department for Constructeurs

(Benedicte Ferlet led our group on the 27th November)

The 16 were split into 2 groups, me together with 7 of the PuristS and 9 with another group (Need members of another group to post their photos on this and subsequent activities).

(visible from left, Damien Lim, Michael Haribowo, Marie Beng and Benedicte Ferlet - way behind with his head looking at the monitor was chief Developer Jean-Claude Meylan)

Benedicte led our group on the 27th and brought us first to the Computer design department to see how Constructeurs work. This is almost a second home for senior Design-Engineers like Philippe Vandel, Roger Guignard (The George Lucas of MJLC ) & Head of development Jean-Claude Meylan.

(Some of the old hand drawing in an old exercise book)

A computer design, sometimes the conception are aided by manual drawings, can last anything from a few months to as long as nine months.

(Visible from left, Daniel Liu, Michael Haribowo, Damien Lim, Jerome Berder, Andrew Hildreth, Marie Beng & Benedicte Ferlet)

Jaw

Part 5 - Prototype testing

Next is the prototype testing department:

(Benedicte Ferlet explained how Accelerated ageing testing is done in MJLC, shown is the result of Ceramic Ball wear and tear performance after a million turns)

(Ideale is still being tested here)

(Dino Pozzato, the watch terminator pulled the trigger of a watch shock test)

(Accelerated ageing test)

Jaw

Part 6 - Complication Department

(From left, Andrew Hindreth, Marie Beng, Daniel Liu, Dino Pozzato & Michael Haribowo)

This is where all the complications are assembled, for maintaining the high standard of cleanliness. All of us stepped through sticky floor (to pick up dust from shoes) and wore a watchmaker coat.

(Dino Pozzato closely inspected the calibre 101)

(Watchmaker assembling the Master Eight Day Perpetual)

(Didn't leave the section immediately, from left, Michael Haribow, Marie Beng, Dino Pozzato and Jerome Berder inspected the complication display case)

Jaw

Part 7 - The morning tour continues

(The Anglage Department)

(This watchmaker demonstrated how a Master Ultra Thin Skeleton bridge is anglaged)

(The Automatic Movement assembly, shown is the Calibre 918)

(This is the machine which made the high quality case)

(The Engraving Department, where common engraving and lacquer engraving are done, lacquer of any colour can be done here)

(Even very small and barely visible are profile turned here)

(How small is this pinion? you need to view with a microscope to be even visible, Marie was obviously amused by the miniscule size of the parts)

(The super expensive laser welding machine to laser the spiral spring on autotractor movements. You still need to locate the hair spring piece by piece to be lasered manually - the machine can't do all the human job here)

(Marie stole a moment of rest on her phone)

(Elaborate movement tolerance computer test, JLC is particular serious in their quality and reliability)

(Some of the very small parts are stamped, others are carefully profile turned piece by piece by the machine)

(The Service Department at work)

(Some of the old movements and watches being serviced)

(Thousands of tools die and molds, from super small to giant ones for Atmos parts are stored in a complex filing system, they can be recalled when needed)

Jaw