HM QEII receives diamond watch from Jaeger-LeCoultre
Posted by VeronikaN on June 5, 2012, 7:19 am
Marking The Queen's Diamond Jubilee, Swiss watch house Jaeger-LeCoultre presented Her Majesty with a diamond bracelet watch, very similar to the one she wore on her Coronation Day. Powered by the smallest mechanical watch movement in the world, the model is known as the "101". Read more: http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/2012/05/queen-receives-diamond-watch-from-jaeger-lecoultre/
Interesting - thank you for posting, VeronikaN. On one hand, it's nice of them to continue or rather create a tradition. On the other hand, it's not exactly the most subtle act of self-promotion on their website, and not the most imaginative design of the watch itself either, if I may say so.
I did not understand what they were saying about the smallest watch in the world.
Here is what I have.
Next come three consecutive pages from by Sheila Young.
Pic A.
Pic B - last caption above
Pic C
The text (from Pic A) continues --
" France. The Princess wore it daily for seventeen years until, after her accession, she lost it at Sandringham and the most careful searches could not unearth it. In April 1957 she herself paid a State Visit to France and French statesmen, having heard of her loss, presented her with a replica, which she wore next day at a reception she held in the British Embassy. "
Re: HM QEII receives diamond watch from Jaeger-LeCoultre
--Previous Message-- : : I did not understand what they were saying : about the smallest watch in the world.
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.
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. :
I just bought the latest (here in US) TATTLER and it is all things Her Majesty. I think I saw an advertisement for this special edition (I didn't have time to read much of it earlier). So I did a little searching and, yes, there is a limited edition - rose gold (?), two tasteful rows of diamonds, and a black strap.
Until the diamond encrusted version of the magnifying glass has finished, HM uses this item out of her Royal Collection - no diamonds, but at least Fabergé
- no diamonds, but at least Fabergé 
