'In The Making' by Jaeger-LeCoultre is a Groundbreaking Video Series About Watchmaking; Discover The 180 Crafts of an Integrated Manufacture

'In The Making' by Jaeger-LeCoultre

Jaeger-LeCoultre introduces a new series of short videos that pay respect to the 180 distinct watchmaking techniques housed in its Factory in the Vallée de Joux. Each short video, titled In the Making, focuses on a specific talent, such as seldom-seen phases of the watchmaking process. The series honours the artists who practise each of the aforementioned abilities.

Never Before Has A Video Series Gone Behind The Scenes To Show The Talent And Devotion Of The Factory's Craftsmen.

Using the artists' own words to describe their techniques, each video communicates the passion and commitment that drives them to create, assemble, and adorn timepieces that will last for generations. The impression of closeness is enhanced by evocative lighting, over-the-shoulder camera angles, and close-ups of the exact motions that have been honed over countless years of practise.

In the Making is divided into segments that correlate to the sequence of stages necessary to build a good timepiece: Design, Produce, Finish, and Ornament. These chapters give equal weight to all of the abilities held inside Jaeger-completely LeCoultre's integrated Manufacture.

Design

In addition to determining the aesthetics of a watch – the shape, size, style, and composition of the dial and case – design encompasses all technical considerations, from the development of new complications and movements to the shape of components required to perform specific functions, the overall architecture of a movement, the technical requirements of the case that must contain a given movement, and all ergonomic considerations.

Designers sketch ideas with pencil and paper using a process that draws on the past, present, and future, and working in close collaboration with technical designers and movement builders; a beautiful design is of no use in watchmaking unless it is paired with engineering and technical design of the utmost precision.

Produce

With an in-depth examination of what are commonly called the more "industrial" phases of production – the seldom-seen and little-known talents – this book reveals the seldom-seen and little-understood skills that are seldom seen and understood by the In the Making illustrates that the professionals who master each of these stages have the same dedication to accuracy and creativity, as well as the same enthusiasm for their trade, as their peers in every other area of the Manufacturing. At Jaeger-LeCoultre, the manufacturing process starts with unprocessed metal, which is then chopped, stamped, or treated in a variety of other ways to become various components. It concludes with final casing and polishing, which brings the metal to life in a beautiful manner, following countless distinct assembly procedures.

In addition to producing new timepieces, Jaeger-in-house LeCoultre's restoration factory performs many of the same manufacturing stages to breathe new life into watches that are 40, 60, or 90 years old. The repair professionals utilise original spare parts when available or create comparable components from scratch using the original drawings and welds (metal-stamping templates).

Finish

With the task of giving light and reflection to the visible portion of our watches, such as the case, bezel, lugs, and crown, the polisher has the ability to bring a wristwatch to life with every motion.

Jaeger-LeCoultre pays significant significance to the high finishing and hand embellishment of watch movements, in keeping with its view that a quality watch should be attractive not only on the exterior, but also in aspects that are not immediately apparent. Consistent with their worth and rarity, high-complication timepieces need specialised knowledge. These finishing methods vary from the conventional, such as perlage, Côtes de Genève, blueing of screws, chamfering, and skeletonisation, to the contemporary, such as micro-blasting.

Bevelling (or anglage) is a laborious decorative technique that requires various talents, from hand-cutting internal angles to hand-polishing using a range of metal and wooden tools. It enhances the attractiveness of components by making the edges shine and producing a dance of light reflections. In order to create uniform angles and reflections, finishing demands a flawless command of every skill and gesture.

Ornament

Jaeger-LeCoultre is one of the very few watchmaking Manufactures with a dedicated Rare Handcrafts (Métiers Rares®) workshop inside its own roof, bringing together centuries-old decorative skills like as guillochage, engraving, gem-setting, and a range of enamelling techniques.

Grand feu enamel is a cross between illustration and chemistry – as much alchemy as art; engravers use a variety of techniques and different gestures to fashion subtle plays of light and shadow on metal surfaces to produce an almost endless variety of patterns; the gem-task setter's is to secure precious stones to metal in a way that accentuates the beauty of the gem, and watches bring the additional challenge of having already been decorated with opalescent enamel. By working side-by-side in a dedicated atelier, these specialised craftsmen are better able to exchange ideas and share their creative energy, as well as preserve and perpetuate traditional knowledge inside the Manufacture.

Just the beginning

When additional movies are finished, In the Making will develop into a comprehensive collection, beginning with eight films covering eight of the watchmaking techniques. The first videos are Design: aesthetics and style, Research & Development, Polishing, Restoration, Bevelling, Enameling, and Gem-setting.