Jaeger Lecoultre

Identified as one of the most acknowledged watches ever created, Jaeger LeCoultre serviced other popular brands in the industry before it was known to make its own line of collections. It invented movements for other companies such as Audermars Piguet, IWC and Vacheron Constatin, among the others. In fact, the firm also supplied ebauches to the famous Patek Philippe around the early stages of the twentieth century. Not for long, this manufacturer was heralded as one of Switzerland’s prime producers as it slowly launched its timepieces in the market.

Prior to the acclaimed status of Jaeger LeCoultre, it also has its own share of humble beginnings. In 1833, a certain Antione who thirty years old then, put up a micro factory in Le Sentier. Son of Valle de Joux, he was able to prove to himself that he is also a skillful watch smith whereby in 1844, he was able to revolutionize the industry through his creation. He is the brainchild behind the millionometer which is employed to gauge measurements of even up top a thousand millimeter can be done with precision. Due to the device, he was able to help in developing the accuracy in the science of horology.

At the same moment, Antione’s creation was regarded as the standard instructional system in making watches while others were already considered “gone with the wind.” He actually has a motto which says, “we must base our experience on science.” His favorite adage were very overt in his inventions particularly with the movements. Later on, artistry was fused which explains why Jaeger LeCoultre timepieces are appealing to the eyes. The brand then still continued to serviced other companies around the Swiss region but it began to produce its own line of collections.

The movements created by Antoine were highly favored that even in 1910, the brand serviced Patek Philippe for the raw supply. The said brand did not make its own but later developed their version that is said to have been made from scratch. Also, other companies continued to relied on Jaeger LeCoultre so they can invent their timepieces. From 1900 to 1919, the manufacturer was able to produce forty thousand movements. Each of the raw supply was sold between one hundred francs to four hundred francs. The price was still very affordable noting that the period was in the yesteryears.

By 1925, the grandson of Antione, David, merged the brand with that of a relative which exclusively serviced movements to Cartier. With the collaboration, Jaeger LeCoultre was officially conceived. The partnership brought more interesting technical innovations. One of which was the creation of the stainless steel case that up to this juncture is being employed in almost every watch available. Also, the tiniest mechanism in a global scale was made where the mass only amounted to not beyond one gram. Even with that, the company did not stop in its pursuit to invent exciting productions.

By 1931, the brand launched Reverso where the case can be turned to one hundred eighty degrees. This Jaeger LeCoultre watch was regarded as a fantastic creation was a huge percentage of the consumers were enthusiastic about it. However, the economic crisis experienced in the Second World War hampered the spread of the timepiece where it could have reached the fullest potential in the market. Another determining factor was the invention of products that were resistant to water. However, when a dealer from Italy visited the factory in Le Sentier in 1960’s, the company leapt a huge milestone.

Idle Reverso cases were found inside the drawer of a smith so he decided to purchase what tickled his fancy. He looked for a suitable movement and finished the creation. Once it was put up in the market, it was sold like hot cake and the rest as they say, is history. Today, Jaeger LeCoultre watches are still dominant in the industry where you would desire to wear your very own.