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Jerome Lambert CEO of Jeager –LeCoultre talks about the Brand’s expected novelties at the SIHH 2013, and Jubilee collection dedicated to Antoine LeCoultre as the brand celebrates its 180 anniversary.
JLC has revealed a new innovative time piece the Duomètre Unique Travel Time to be launched at the upcoming SIHH 2013 edition. What does this mean to brand’s continuous creativity and watch making excellence?
The new Duomètre piece we presented in Paris for the opening of our flagship store on the Place Vendome in Paris embodies the philosophy of the Duomètre line – by embodying the inventive spirit of Antoine LeCoultre. This timepiece offers new solutions in the field of time-zone watches. The Duomètre Unique Travel Time is a watch dedicated both to travelers and to lovers of fine watch making. It’s the first watch to combine the convenience of world time-zones with the flexibility to set the destination time to the minute.
In 2007, Jaeger-LeCoultre launched the first timepiece in the Duomètre line, the Duomètre à Chronographe. A watch built on the Dual Wing concept, which, thanks to its two independent energy sources, allows for chronographs of the very highest precision, timepiece providing new solutions in time measurement.
Then, in 2010, we launched the Duomètre à Quantième Lunaire, using the same Dual Wing system, allowing the most precise time-setting possible. A watch that can be set to within 1/6 of a second – and all while the regulating organ is continuing to work at full speed.
At SIHH 2012, you had the chance to discover the latest chapter in the Hybris Mechanica story – the Duomètre Sphérotourbillon. This exceptional model is the first tourbillon watch that can be set precisely to the second with the tourbillon continuously running.
A timepiece with exceptional aesthetics and complications.
Aesthetically the Duomètre movements are true to the same philosophy of construction, capitalising on the Dual-Wing system, and proudly displaying the movement architecture invented by Jaeger-LeCoultre in the Vallée de Joux in the nineteenth century. Jaeger-LeCoultre defined the future of fine watchmaking with the revolutionary ‘Dual-Wing’ system. With the Duomètre we exceeded even our expectations. The Dual Wing system has a golden future, promising the development of even greater complications.
How do you describe the upcoming Novelties from JLC to be launched at the SIHH 2013?
2013 marks the 180th anniversary since the creation of the Manufacture in 1833 in the Valley de Joux, in Switzerland. Nicknamed the «Grande Maison» by the people living in the Vallée de Joux, the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre today is the reference in fine watchmaking. The Jubilee collection we will present at SIHH will be paying tribute to the first founder of the company and his creative spirit.
Artists and watchmakers were inspired by the beauty of the Swiss Jura region where the founder Antoine Le-Coultre first set up the company in 1833. What is the inspiration for the company’s present day designers and watchmakers?
It’s through this dedication to invention that the philosophy and spirit of our founder, Antoine LeCoultre, lives on, today as it did at the beginning. By the end of the 19th Century the Grande Maison’s achievements in invention were to make it the uncontested leader in fine watchmaking. Today, 180 years after Antoine’s brilliant innovation. We keep the spirit of invention alive, it is the Passionate men and women – working under one roof who continues to challenge them selves, and come up with new inventions.
The Manufacture has an impressive range of world firsts, superlative creations and legendary models to its credit, including the Reverso, the Duoplan, the Master Control, the Memovox Polaris, the Gyrotourbillon and the Atmos.
Jaeger-LeCoultre is the only manufacturer to unite around 40 professions and 180 skills under a single roof, from watchmakers and artisans who perpetuate and enrich the heritage passed on by former generations, to microtechnical engineers and cutting-edge technology specialists.
You always emphasis that Jaeger-LeCoultre is a real Swiss manufacture. Are all components of the JLC watch in-house made?
The Manufacture unites under its roofs over 1,200 talented individuals mastering all the watchmaking skills required to develop and produce its timepieces in their entirety. Artistic crafts and state-of-the art technologies are combined in its daily endeavours.
What are the biggest markets for Jaeger-LeCoultre today? And how is Jaeger Le-Coultre faring in the Middle East?
In current world, people are travelling intensively, especially watch connoisseurs, so it is not that relevant to discuss about which market is bigger than others. What is sure is that our historical boutiques in Europe, including our new flagship boutique in Place Vendome, attract a lot of passionate, whether they come from Europe, where the brand is an icon of elegance or for few years Asia, where the brand is now very well established there and match values inherent to this market: craftmanship, classicial design, attention to detail, legitimacy. The brand is still to increase its fame and repute as a reference among our Middle Eastern clientele but we are extremely confident about the future. In the Middle East in particular, we foster a great community spirit through our local partnerships such as Abu Dhabi Film Festival, our support to equestrian competitions or our last year limited edition for the 40th anniversary of the UAE.
How do you rate the Middle East as a potential market for Jaeger-LeCoultre? Which of your models are the most popular in the Middle East?
We have been retailing in the Middle East for more than 25 years and have secured a loyal clientele of connoisseurs either locally or in through our European boutiques. Our level of development in the Middle East varies from one place to another. With plan to have 8 boutiques in the region by 2013 and continuation of our long standing relation with strong partners, we are confident to catch the full potential of this market. Jaeger-LeCoultre offers the most complicated, yet elegant watches for connoisseurs, a strong offer for ladies with the recent launch of Rendez Vous line, as well as timeless classical products such as Reverso or Master Control. All those lines are showing great results in the Middle East and especially our iconic Reverso: this is an absolute icon in Europe and I am happy to see that this rectangular-shaped watch is gaining popularity among watch loves and connoisseurs.
Do you propose to open more independent Jaeger-LeCoultre boutiques in the Middle East?
We currently have six Jaeger-LeCoultre boutiques in the Middle East, operated with our local and historical partners. We value the long-term relationship we have. We plan to open two more boutiques in 2013.
Could you please describe the JLC customer profile in the Middle East? Is it different for other regions?
The customer profile in the Middle East is diverse.First, in terms of purchasing power, GCC connoisseurs have amazing watches, probably some of the most outstanding in the world. Secondly because there is a great offering in the GCC, together with some of the biggest retail hubs, people are exposed to multiple choices. This probably explains the thirst for novelty and exclusivity for local connoisseurs.
Thirdly, the ladies market here is quite developed when compared to Europe. Time for shopping and luxury is part of an everyday accessory of elegance.In such an environment, being a reference and legitimate brand, capable of producing some of the most outstanding time pieces for both male and ladies segments is a clear advantage that we have.
What relationship "La Grande Maison" has with collectors especially those from the Middle East? How active is JLC on the social media?
Collectors in the Middle East have historically had a successful, close relationship with the Manufacture in Europe. But now, more and more, they are cultivating a local relationship with Jaeger-LeCoultre. Our activities in Abu Dhabi in particular have helped foster this appreciation, especially our new boutique opening in Etihad Towers, our sponsorship of the Abu Dhabi Film Festival as well as our support to Equestrian activities in the region.
When it comes to social media, Jaeger-LeCoultre is very active online through different social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and independent collector’s blogs. We strongly believe in a direct line of communication with our watch lovers and greatly support the developments of tools to encourage this discussion. An example of a tool that has enhanced the connoisseur’s experience of Jaeger-LeCoultre is our app available for Ipad which provide in depth product information and the brand’s history. In addition, clients can learn about the intricacies of watchmaking through games and tools allowing us to keep the historical art of watchmaking alive and well.
How significant for Jaeger-LeCoultre are special orders particularly from the Gulf?
We have a great offer of personalization through our Reverso line as the back case of this watch can be engraved and reflect the story/message of its buyer.
We also had created last year a private limited edition of 40 pieces to celebrate the UAE 40th anniversary. We are very proud of this watch, which symbolizes our long term relation in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
What is your favorite Jaeger-LeCoultre watch?
I often wear watches from the Duomètre collection, Duomètre Sphérotourbillon is one of the watches that I have been wearing a lot this year. It is very comfortable on the wrist, and is exceptional in terms of precision and esthetics. I also love to wear the Duomètre à Quantième Lunaire – a watch with a moon phases indicator.
Where do you see the future of Jaeger-LeCoultre? What are the challenges for JLC in the years to come?
We ask ourselves the question “How would Antoine perpetuate the legacy of the Manufacture?” And we are working on the answers with the teams of talented people at the Manufacture.