Jaeger-LeCoultre

Jaeger-LeCoultre is known as "La Grande Maison" (the Great House) for good reason. With over 1,200 calibres developed and 400+ patents registered, this Vallée de Joux manufacture has supplied movements to virtually every prestigious watch brand—including Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and even Vacheron Constantin. Yet it also creates its own extraordinary timepieces, most famously the iconic Reverso.

The LeCoultre Workshop (1833)

Antoine LeCoultre established his workshop in Le Sentier in 1833, deep in the Vallée de Joux—the birthplace of Swiss haute horlogerie. His breakthrough came in 1844 with the invention of the Millionomètre, the first instrument capable of measuring the micron, enabling unprecedented precision in watchmaking.

By 1866, the workshop had evolved into a true manufacture, producing every component in-house. This vertical integration—rare then, rarer now—allowed LeCoultre to supply movements to the industry's most prestigious names.

The Partnership with Jaeger (1903)

Edmond Jaeger, a Parisian watchmaker, challenged Swiss manufacturers to produce his ultra-thin movements. Only Jacques-David LeCoultre, grandson of the founder, accepted. Their collaboration yielded revolutionary thin calibres that Cartier used in early wristwatches, including pieces for aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont.

The partnership formalized in 1937 under the name Jaeger-LeCoultre, combining French design sophistication with Swiss manufacturing excellence.

The Reverso (1931)

The Reverso is one of the most recognizable watches ever created—and it was born on a polo field. British officers in colonial India needed a watch that could survive the brutal sport. César de Trey approached Jaeger-LeCoultre with the concept of a swiveling case that could flip to protect its crystal.

The Art Deco design was completed by René-Alfred Chauvot, and the Reverso launched in 1931. Its reversible case became an icon of elegant problem-solving, and the blank caseback invited personalization—from initials to elaborate engravings. Over 90 years later, the Reverso remains in production virtually unchanged.

The Atmos Clock

In 1928, Jaeger-LeCoultre began producing the Atmos, a clock that runs on atmospheric pressure and temperature changes alone. Requiring no batteries or winding—a one-degree temperature change provides enough energy for two days—the Atmos represents perpetual motion made practical. It has been a traditional diplomatic gift from the Swiss government for decades.

Master of Complications

Jaeger-LeCoultre's technical prowess extends far beyond thin movements and clever cases. The manufacture has created some of horology's most impressive complications:

• Gyrotourbillon: A spherical tourbillon rotating on multiple axes
• Master Grande Tradition: Celestial complications and minute repeaters
• Duomètre: Dual-wing system for unprecedented precision
• Hybris Mechanica: The most complicated watches in JLC's history

The Secret Supplier

For decades, Jaeger-LeCoultre movements powered watches from other prestigious houses. Patek Philippe's legendary Calibre 12-600 AT used JLC's Calibre 920 as its base. Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak and Vacheron Constantin's Overseas also relied on JLC movements. This "supplier to the stars" role earned JLC its reputation as the watchmaker's watchmaker.

Today's Grande Maison

Under Richemont ownership since 2000, Jaeger-LeCoultre continues to operate as a true manufacture in Le Sentier, with over 180 skills practiced under one roof. The Master, Reverso, Polaris, and Rendez-Vous collections offer everything from accessible luxury to six-figure complications.

With over 1,200 calibres developed across nearly two centuries, Jaeger-LeCoultre's contribution to horology is unmatched. La Grande Maison remains one of the industry's most respected names—a watchmaker's watchmaker that finally receives the recognition it long gave to others.