THE DREAM SHAPER EXHIBITION 130 YEARS OF WOMEN'S WATCHES

Immersing visitors in the creative and cultural universe of Jaeger-LeCoultre, The Dream Shaper exhibition explores the theme of femininity at La Grande Maison in four chapters: Decoration, Shapes, Miniaturisation and Complications.

DECORATING DREAMS

In the 18th and 19th centuries, watches were rare and powerful status symbols and, therefore, made from precious materials and embellished with engravings, enamel, miniature paintings and gemstones.

SHAPING DREAMS

As women increasingly wore wristwatches, a new realm of creative possibility opened up. Given that its approach to product integrity implied that the form of a movement must closely follow the contours of its case, La Grande Maison became a specialist in so-called ‘shaped’ calibres. 

MINIATURISING DREAMS

Since the early 1500s, when clocks were first reduced to a portable size, watchmakers have devoted great effort to inventing ever-smaller mechanisms – wrestling with the challenge of maintaining timekeeping accuracy while reducing size.

COMPLICATING DREAMS

Women’s fascination with horological complications dates back hundreds of years and, since the earliest days of the Manufacture, La Grande Maison has been distinguished by its expertise in developing mechanisms with many functions beyond simply telling the time.