Custom & Bespoke Stocks – Portfolio

The clock that breathes

The Atmos table clock of the famous Swiss manufacturer Jaeger-LeCoultre is based on a unique principle.

It does not need to be wound manually. It gets its energy directly from changes of temperature and atmospheric pressure; it runs for years by itself.

The clock works – if you like – organically. This is why Jaeger-LeCoultre chose the name “Atmos”. Atmos is ancient Greek – original spelling ἀτμός – which means steam, damp, or breeze. In a word, Atmos is the clock that breathes.

Nothing was more obvious than to build a clock case that could breathe too. There is only one substance that meets this requirement: wood. Wood reflects the organic function of the clock – it is the warm counterpart of the clockwork’s cool metal.

As natural as the idea seemed, as problematic was its realisation. An R&D engineer who was working for Jaeger-LeCoultre, came up with the idea to house the clock in a wooden case. Detailed plans had already been drawn. But who would be able to build such a delicate piece? Excellent craftsmanship would be required to transform the sketches into a three-dimensional reality.

The engineer approached my father – who had just completed his training a certified conservator – and asked him, if he could build the wooden case. After scrutinizing the plans and some sleepless nights, my father agreed. He did know that that crafting the wooden housing would be challenging.

He first manufactured the tools he needed. Then the main work stage began: Step by step he built the case from ebony, maple and rose, cut, and inserted the intarsia (inlays) and finished the delicate construction with shellac. The housing has two wings – when opened they show a globe.

Only few Atmos clocks were manufactured by Jaeger-LeCoultre. Being a stunning and precious piece of craft, it was often given to VIPs or good business partners. The series has not been relaunched since then.