Jaeger-LeCoultre - Official Sponsor of the Venice International Film Festival
Two worlds in which movement is an art, history means wealth and time spells energy. Movies share with Jaeger-LeCoultre the kind of visionary spirit nurtured by tradition, the magic of a perfectly controlled yet perpetually evolving mechanism. Within this eminently cultural context, the Manufacture has chosen to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its star movement, Calibre 101, on the red carpets of the Cannes Film Festival as well as at the famous Mostra festival in Venice which it is partnering for the fifth year running. From September 2nd to 12th 2009, the brand will be escorting silver screen icons in the City of the Doges with a dream cast of eight one-of-a-kind creations, each setting a unique stage for the amazing Calibre 101.
At the end of the year, Jaeger-LeCoultre's film adventures will continue in Paris with its sponsorship of an exceptional exhibition dedicated to the work of Fellini and scheduled to run in the Jeu de Paume musem from October 17th 2009 through January 17th 2010.
Movie magic often stems from a certain spark that magnifies a given film, from a lighting effect that accentuates an actor's performance, from an angle that reveals what would otherwise be invisible. Certain masterpieces of cinema become legends and continue to fascinate audiences despite the passing years. Like watchmaking, film-making loves change and renewal, while never omitting to pay tribute to its historical pillars that represent an inexhaustible source of inspiration for subsequent generations. In the same way, certain horological masterpieces become legends and historical benchmarks in the industry heritage. Calibre 101 is one such creation.
Celebrating its 80th birthday this year, it mounted the red-carpeted steps at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival on the wrist of Jaeger-LeCoultre muse Diane Kruger, accompanied by the entire cast of Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds. The actress chose a 1959 vintage model with a plantlife-themed design entirely set with diamonds and providing a sparkling showcase for what has remained the world's smallest watch mechanism ever since its creation.
Calibre 101 is also set to shine at the Venice Film Festival from September 2nd to 12th.
Celebrities and watchmaking devotees will also have an opportunity to rediscover this historical movement at a prestigious gala evening held on September 8th, where the eight one-of-a-kind creations - including two re-editions - will be unveiled. Vividly portraying the creativity of the artisans within the Manufacture, these watches featuring a variety of styles will interpret the infinitely small in a number of fascinating and consistently elegant ways.
A loyal partner of the Venice film festival since 2005, Jaeger-LeCoultre will be a key player in all the important scenes of the event, adorning stars with its finest creations and presenting award winners with a personalised Reverso watch. Four one-of-a-kind models will reward the actor and actress of the year, as well as the best film designated to receive the famous Golden Lion. Each of these creations will bear a lacquered engraving of the lion, a symbol of the legendary city exquisitely crafted by hand in keeping with the noblest traditions, as well as a commemorative inscription.
The Mostra would be nothing without the city that hosts it: Venice. Naturally concerned with preserving the many facets of the world heritage, Jaeger-LeCoultre is partnering UNESCO in the Tides of Time project, which is featuring Venice this year on its list of unique sites deserving protection. On September 2nd, a special page in the International Herald Tribune will be entirely devoted to this site in order to highlight its exceptional nature.
Finally, the magic of Cinema as exercised by the greatest Italian names will continue to weave its spell in Paris as of autumn 2009. Jaeger-LeCoultre has been committed to safeguarding our common cultural heritage as a patron of the Jeu de Paume museum. An exhibition dedicated to the work of Fellini will be on show from October 20th 2009 through January 17th 2010 in this prestigious Parisian haven of photography and image. The Manufacture is enthusiastically associating with this event that will explore the work of this brilliant film director who wrote a new chapter in movie history with the release of La Strada in 1948 and subsequently paved the way for an avant-garde and extravagant approach to film-making with La Dolce Vita in 1960.