Driven by the desire to share its passion for watchmaking with a wider audience, Jaeger-LeCoultre announces the opening of “Atelier d’Antoine,” a new initiative that gives watch collectors, enthusiasts and members of the general public the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of fine watchmaking as never before.
Named after Maison’s founder, Antoine LeCoultre, “Atelier d’Antoine” will stage various educational programs that combine academic instruction and practical activities, guided by experts from the manufacturer.
The hub of “Atelier d’Antoine” is a newly developed space within the original, historic Manufacture building in Le Sentier, which has been specially designed for this purpose. In the future, it is planned to open physical outposts of the Atelier in flagship boutiques in key international locations and offer the program through digital channels.
“Atelier d’Antoine” will initially offer two different types of themed program: Discovery Workshops and Manufacture Visits and, at a later date, will also offer Masterclasses – all programs offering unforgettable experiences for those wishing to learn more about what goes into making a fine mechanical watch.
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Discovery Workshops provide an opportunity to explore the world of Swiss fine watchmaking in a new way. Hosted by an instructor and a technical expert and limited to a maximum of 8 participants, the workshops blend academic education and hands-on experience in a dynamic format that encourages interaction.
Over the course of three hours, participants will dive deep into the heart of watch movements to understand how they work; they will discover the myriad technical and creative skills required to produce fine watches, the many different stages involved in their fabrication, and the artistic crafts employed in Haute Horlogerie.
They will also learn about the past, present and future of watchmaking at Jaeger-LeCoultre and in the Vallée de Joux and invite to go hands-on, using larger-scale models to replicate the work of Maison’s highly skilled watchmakers.
Following the traditional format already established at Jaeger-LeCoultre, the Masterclasses will be highly focused, hands-on tutorials led by an expert watchmaker or craftsman. Participants actively practice particular skills of traditional watchmaking or artistic crafts.
