Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Duoface Bleu (378858J)

The art of making time stand still, of sublimating the moment, of giving life to a work that is unique because it is fashioned by the human hand. The art of revealing an artist's unique vision of time, of the world. Film-maker, watchmaker, actor, gemsetter… each artist is an artisan of emotions. This year, the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre wished to pay tribute to the talent of these creators of wonderment. A tribute that could not hope for a finer setting in which to blossom than Venice, cradle of some of the finest artistic crafts. From September 1st to 11th 2010, during the 67th Venice International Film Festival, the famous "Mostra" which it is partnering for the sixth consecutive year, the brand will unveil its own dream cast of four exceptional creations - each of which will set the stage for a particular kind of hand-crafted expertise.
Behind competence lies passion - the kind that drives the artisan and creates the magic spark that nurtures the artist's work. That which is handed down through the centuries from one generation to the next and is systematically enriched by new human inventions and technological breakthroughs. A passion in perpetual motion, which Jaeger-LeCoultre has chosen to concentrate at the heart of four watch models presented in the City of the Doges during a prestigious gala evening on September 7th 2010.

Celebrating the different forms of know-how cultivated within the Manufacture, these new creations highlight the magic and the virtuosity of the artistic crafts that perpetuate the ties between past traditions and a visionary spirit. Four watches enshrining Jaeger-LeCoultre's love of detail. Four personalities which, above and beyond watchmaking itself, weave unique ties with Venice, the ultimate city of art boasting a heritage of jealously safeguarded crafts that are unique in the world.
The magic of gemsetting is embodied in an Haute Joaillerie model featuring precious stones transformed into a fairytale white rose. As enchanting as the work of the Venetian artists who have been individually hand-crafting the famous Carnival masks since the 10th century using techniques that have been kept secret ever since.
The magic of openworking is interpreted through a new tourbillon watch revealing the intricate workings of its in-house crafted mechanism. This art of openworking time and reducing time to an exquisitely delicate embroidery in metal echoes the peerless finesse of Burano lacework, a symbol of prestige since the 16th century which won the hearts of nobility and royalty the world over, beginning with the Kings of France.
The magic of the new Reverso Squadra Art watch will serve as a charming ambassadress of fine jewellery-making. The meticulous care lavished on the finishing of the smallest parts of the mechanical movement and the watch case creates a play on light comparable to the shimmering reflections of Murano glasswork - such as the Barovier&torso workshop has been crafting for more than 700 years.
And finally, the magic of enamelling will accentuate the horological prowess of a grand complication model. The refinement of this time-honoured ornamental technique, in which each stage of firing at high temperatures proves crucial, is reminiscent of the delicate work of traditional wood gilding that is a Venetian speciality: twenty successive manual operations are involved in this noble art.
As a loyal partner of the Venetian festival since 2005, Jaeger-LeCoultre will be actively involved in all the highlights of the event, adorning the stars with its finest creations and presenting the winners of the Golden Lion awards with a personalised Reverso. Four unique models will thus reward the Best Actress and Best Actor of the year, as well as the Best Film and the Best Director. They will feature a lacquered engraving depicting the lion symbol of Venice, hand-crafted in accordance with the finest traditions, and bearing the inscription "67eme Mostra d'Art Cinematographique".
Finally, at the festival closing ceremony, this year's "Jaeger-LeCoultre Glory to the Filmmaker Award" will honour the Indian film director Mani Ratnam, after previously distinguishing Takeshi Kitano in 2006, Agnes Varda in 2006, Abbas Kirostami in 2008 and Sylvester Stallone in 2009. The official prize-giving ceremony will be accompanied by the world-first screening of his latest film Ravaan, starring Indian movie icons Aishwarya Rai, Abishek Bachchan and Vikran, as well as featuring a soundtrack by two-time Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman.