ThePurists trip 2004
Jaeger-LeCoultre

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Part 8 - 27th Lunch hosted by CEO Jerome Lambert

(Looked like both groups finished their morning tour and were ready for lunch)


Yup, all ready to board the luxury coach for lunch, from left, Marie Beng, Mitch Katz, Daniel Liu, Andrew Hindreth, Jerome Berder, Michael Haribowo, Tim Lake, Andy McEvan, Suitbert Walter, Dino Pozzato, Thomas Mao, Lawrence Cohen (partly hidden), Tim Howes, Elena Fafilek, Carl Fafilek & Damien Lim)


(The lunch venue is the very scenic Cafe & Restaurant L'Aurore, most PuristS lingered before entering the restaurant)



(No one rushed into the warm restaurant)


(The lucky Damien Lim seated next to Compressor and Gyrotourbillon designer Magali Metrailer)


(Dino Pozzato with Michael Haribowo)


(Carl & Elena Fafilek)


(Mr. & Mrs. Fafilek gave CEO Jerome Lambert a nice Mucha wine - Jerome jokingly said he will place it inside the Enamel studio - Miklos has explored with Mucha in his enamel works)


(From Left, Lawrence Cohen, Suitbert Walter and Benedicte Ferlet)


(Marie Beng with Tim Lake)


(Mitch Katz, Andrew Hildreth and Simone Prevalet)


(Marie Beng, Tim Lake, CEO Jerome Lambert & Lawrence Cohen, note the excellent Perch Fish famous in the Valee)


(Tim Lake, CEO Jerome Lambert & Lawrence Cohen, One of us jokingly asked Jerome to comment on another site being "THE OFFICIAL HOME" of JLC. The master statesman Jerome replied a few points (1) He visited ThePuristS at least once every week and read every thread in the JLC forum (2) He is very happy with the 2 years of what he termed as JLC's "Partnership" with ThePuristS (3) He cannot be the policeman of the internet site and can't ensure every announcement is true or correct and (4) He urged all of us to read carefully and find out which site gave more insight to JLC and their products. We were more than satisfied with his answer - Anyway, as far as I am concern, I am more interested to discuss about watches and hope more people are doing so, either in ThePuristS or in any other forum)

Jaw

Part 9 - The JLC Jewellery Studio led by Alain Kirchhof

(After the delicious Perch Fish lunch, we walked to the JLC Jewelry Studio)

The Secured Jewellery Studio is just a minute walk away from the Restaurant, and ThePuristS were greeted by famous Jeweller Alain Kirchhof.


(Alain Kirchhof briefed as Simone Prevalet translated)

Alain was an independent jeweller who has done gem settings for a large number of famous Jewelry and watch brands, before his studio was sold to Jaeger-LeCoultre some years ago.


(Experienced and kind Jeweler Antoine, guided a few of us perfectly for our amateur job)



Under Jaeger-LeCoultre, Alain has invented the Snow settings, where diamonds (or other gems) of various sizes (as small as 0.04 carat of fully faceted brilliant cut diamonds)are fitted closely to each other. This gives JLC snow setting watches a unique Shimmering snow effect under lights. a current commercial success.


(This gem setter was setting the diamond bezel)

This year SIHH, Jaeger-LeCoultre unveiled the breakthrough "Rock" setting, where big baguette size gems and diamonds are sets to side so close that NO metals are visible and at the same time smooth as mirror (When one feels the setting with a finger, it feels absolutely flat).


(Rock setting at its best, despite seeing many diamonds side to side, they just felt like a one piece mirror)


(Learning from the master)

We were each demonstrated, coached and guided with setting a SINGLE diamond on a round pendant, and the good news? we got to bring it home



(Alain Happily explained what each of the gem setters were doing, Alain is friendly and humorous, and we all had a great time)


(The revolutionaly Rock Setting is being done)


(Second floor)


(PuristS concentrated as Antoine demonstrated how we should set our diamonds)


(Lawrence Cohen set the diamond)


(Tim Howes too)


(and Jerome Berder)


(Mitch Katz)


(Antoine guided Marie and others step-by-step)


(Try doing this)


(Marie's pendant is sent for ultrasonic cleaning after the setting)


(Then polish)


(Blow Dry)


(And heated)


(Voila, Marie went home with a genuine diamond pendant she set)


(This is how her pendant looked like)

Jaw

Part 10 - The Atmos Factory tour...

(F - The Atmos Building)


(The beautiful Atmos Regulateur)


(The principle of Atmos clock explained)

The expansion and contraction of Gas chamber powers the Atmos clock (For this Atmos tour only, some of the photos marked "F" were shot from my previou0s MJLC trip, all other photos are from the actual October PuristS trip):


(F - An empty gas chamber being filled)


(F - The gas chamber is now filled with gas)


(As the gas chamber contracted and expanded, it powered the spring demonstrated here)


(Gas chamber was fully compressed by a dip in the fridge as a demonstration, Elena Fafilek held it with her palms and it gradually expanded back to full size)


(One of the old Atmos being repaired, powered by expansion and contraction of Ammonia and mercury - toxic!)

Atmos clocks have low energy consumptions, firstly the balance rotates one side for 30 seconds and then back in another 30 seconds. The slow frequency wasted little energy. Secondly the balance was suspended by a single metal (treated) wire (not hinged), which further reduces the energy required.


(F- Specially treated wire)


(F - This is how the balance is suspended)


(The whole balance, suspended by this thin wire)

After every Atmos repair, Jaeger-LeCoultre will store them in a cabinet for at least one month of testing. This clock is to be checked daily. This is to minimise intermittent problems undetected, before being returned to customers, if any.

Jaw

Part 11 - Nicola Baretzki hosted our dinner on the 27th October 2004!

The dinner venue is La Breguette, excellent Cheese Fondue and Port-de-feurs, in my opinion.


(Damien Lim and JLC International Director Nicola Baretzki, Nicola is highly influential and is widely respected for his views in the Manufacture)


(Dino Pozzato, Tim Howes & Marie Beng)


(Carl & Elena Fafilek)




(Jerome Berder, Daniel Liu & Michael Haribowo)


(Mitch Katz on the left)


(From left, Lawrence Cohen, Andrew McEvan & Damien Lim)


(Nicola Baretzki & Master Watchmaker Sylvain Golay, sharing a joke after drinks)





AND MY LAST PHOTO

(Tim Lake, mystery beauty Stefanie Smithuis - also JLC marketing Co-ordinator & Andrew Hildreth)

Jaw

Part 12 - The Aesthetic Design Department on 28th. Oct morning

(Early 28th October morning briefing was done by Simone Prevalet, Stefanie Smithuis, Master Watchmaker Sylvain Golay, Joel Cordier and the lovely Linda Aidan - immediately after the briefing, we were again split into the same 2 groups)

The Design deparment is surrounded by beautiful and charming women, and I imagine the only 2 men, Creative Director Janek Deleskiewicz and Sam Wuhl must be two very happy guys. I would apply for a job in the department, even as a coffee boy )


(Carolie, designer trainee)


(Just look at those eyes!)


(Sonya)






(Designer Magali Metrailer spoke at length about her ideas on AMVOX1 and Gyrotourbillon designing process, patiently answered all questions where possible)


(The most impressive piece of stationary, a crystal paperweight with the original Magali's drawing of the Gyro, absolutely stunning!)

We get to try on most of Magali's designs, the Compressors and AMVOX-1 (gyro later) - Marie also tried on Janek's Ideale:


(Even at 42mm, The AMVOX-1 fitted Marie's wrist well)



(The Ideale didn't look impressive on the tray, but on Marie's wrist, it was beautiful)

Jaw

Part 13 - Watchmaking theory lesson from the Experienced Sylvain Golay

(We met Watch Constructeur Philippe Vandel briefly, he explained how constructing a new movement, even with the help of powerful computer, is a pain-staking and time consuming process)


(A very good theory presentation, with each slide, animation and video explained slowly and in details. Sylvain taught as Linda translated)




(Fantastic animation +another DMC creation in consultation with JLC+ After the presentation and the detailed explanation by Sylvain and Linda, most of us had some rough ideas of what are being taught, although I have to admit that I perhaps remembered less than half of what is being taught by now - no matter, I can drop a few key phrases like "Whatever turns is oiled, whatever rubs is greased"

Jaw

Part 14 - Hands-on computer watchmaking game.

(Andrew Hildreth, obviously enjoying the computer lesson)

We were all given opportunity to assemble a Reverso Grande Date on the monitor. The programme is well designed and gave us a clear understanding of each assembling process and parts - First few tries were a little difficult for us non-watchmakers though.


(Watchmaker Joel Cordier watched as Dino Pozzato and Daniel Liu tried their skills on computer gaming )

We were supposed to complete the assembly with 4 or less help soughts and 8 or less errors. The problem was, not putting the parts at the EXACT position was also counted as one error

Jaw

Part 15 - 28th October lunch hosted by Jean-Marc Keller & Alexis de Laporte

The venue was the Hotel de La Lande Private Dining Room and the food is excellent! I tasted 2 portions of what I think are the best Sorbet in the world - Remember, ask for the Orange, Lime and the Pear flavour!


(Alexis de Laporte, MJLC Trade Marketing Manager)


(Damien Lim)


(Elena Fafilek)


(Tim Howes)


(Marie Beng and Master Watchmaker Sylvain Golay)


(Andy McEwan)


(Mitch Katz)


(Mitch Katz, MJLC Sales & Marketing VP Jean-Marc Keller, Jerome Berder & Michael Haribowo)


(Tim Howes with the charming MJLC watchmaker Linda)



(Table arrangements)


(Our very own Curtis Thompson came with a friend and Bernard, the watchmaker of ex-Dufour fame)


(Suitbert Walter to Bernard, let's settle this, watchmaker-to-watchmaker)

AND THE LAST PHOTO


(As I walked along the road to the Manufacture - after the bus ride back from lunch - I realised how serene and beautiful the Manufacture is)

Jaw

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