October 21, 2016
Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos Clock 568 by Marc Newson
Switzerland’s Jaeger-LeCoultre and Australian designer Marc Newson have pooled their watchmaking and design expertise to rework the horologist’s Atmos Clock.
Mr. Newson is best-known for his work with Apple and Sir Jony Ives, but the industrial designer’s resume is dotted with luxury collaborators included Louis Vuitton luggage most recently. Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Atmos Clock is the brand’s premier example of its watchmaking know-how, due to its unique design and impressive functionality.
Timetellers
Together, Mr. Newson and Jaeger-LeCoultre set out to reinterpret the Atmos Clock.
During its revamp, the Atmos Clock’s style was reworked but its key features were preserved. This approach has allowed “an icon of watchmaking to become an icon of style.”
The Atmos Clock 568 is cased with an “extra-clear” glass that allows light to pass directly through the clock without altering its colors. The Baccarat glass used is nearly invisible which presents the clock in an unprecedented manner.
Jaeger-LeCoultre's Atmos Clock 568 by Marc Newson
Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Atmos Clock includes 210 interior pieces and creates 120 vibrations per hour. The clock only contains a single barrel.
The gaseous blend inside the glass case expands and contracts with the room’s temperature to constantly wind the watch movement, thus keeping time indefinitely. A variation of one degree is enough to power the clock for 2 days.
The Atmos Clock was invented in 1928, with its creators seeking to reproduce the perpetual movements sought after by Leonardo Da Vinci.
The Atmos 568 designed by Marc Newson - by Jaeger-LeCoultre
In 2013, Mr. Newson and Sir Jony designed customized timepieces for a (RED) auction. The Atmos Clock created for and auctioned at Sotheby’s included red accents symbolic of the cause.
Estimated bids were set between $20,000-$30,000. At the auction block, the Atmos clock raised $425,000 (see story).
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