Re: HM QEII receives diamond watch from Jaeger-LeCoultre Archived Message
Posted by Nellie on June 5, 2012, 6:47 pm, in reply to "Re: HM QEII receives diamond watch from Jaeger-LeCoultre"
Thanks Rachel. That has helped clarify more for me. That site could benefit from your experience in the topic - in distinguishing between the wearable item and its inner workings. My reading suggested the Queen's previous, replacement watch could not be found but I would think HM still has that one. : --Previous Message-- : : Just some general information that may add : to the discussion. : : In the early part of my career, I worked on : a magazine devoted exclusively to clocks and : watches. It was fascinating (I can see the : fascination with clocks now!), and I got to : learn a lot about horological matters : through the editorial articles. : : The watch itself (the face and bracelet) is : a whole different consideration from the : watch works or watch movement (internal : mechanism). The watch may not be the : smallest in the world, but the watch works : in this case apparently are. : : "The white gold watch is set with : baguette diamonds and is powered by the : smallest mechanical watch movement in the : world, the JLC Calibre 101. First built in : 1929, the Calibre 101 is so small that its : 98 tiny parts only weigh one gram and its : assembly is a specialised process that only : three watchmakers in the Jaeger-LeCoultre : manufacture can master." : : Also, it is quite common to see ad listings : in these horological magazines for e.g. : "Cartier watch with Patek Philippe : movement" or "Tiffany watch with : Jaeger-LeCoultre movement." Many of the : finer jewelry firms did not care to get into : the watch works business (and who would, : given that there are already undisputed : masters willing to sell their works!), but : certainly wanted to offer their clients : beautiful or precious watches. So they would : design the watches and buy the works from : these master houses. : : Otherwise, I'm kind of with Boris, it's a : bit of self-promotion on Jaeger-LeCoultre's : part, and kind of clunky in design to boot. : But the real value of the watch, no doubt, : is in the scarcity of the tiny watch works : which can only be produced by a very few : people and by hand using special : instruments. :
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