Andrew's post captures a unique breakfast meeting with designer Marc Newson and Jaeger-LeCoultre, focusing on the ATMOS clocks. This article delves into Newson's innovative approach to redesigning the iconic perpetual motion clock, highlighting the collaboration that brought modern aesthetics to a horological classic. Readers will gain insight into the design philosophy behind the ATMOS 561 and 566.
On a bright May morning this week we were invited to (the fashionable) Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair London to meet and talk with Marc Newson about the ATMOS clocks he had designed. I have to confess that this was a ‘win-win’ meeting for me. I have long admired ATMOS clocks (although the one that Jaeger-LeCoultre manufactured that I liked had since been taken out of service); and I must admit that Marc Newson’s designs are among the more accessible ones in modern day industrial design: ergonomic and refined objects for every day use.
While I admired the mechanism for the ATMOS clocks, the idea of perpetual motion based only on the slightest variation in air temperature, the casing has always restricted the potential of the clock. One exception to the rule was the design of the Millenaire 3000 clocks – a 1950’s industrial design with the cone feet and angular design of the glass case reminiscent of objects from the Brussel’s World Fair in 1958 (take a look at pictures of the British Pavilion).
And then along came Marc Newson. A long time admirer (and owner) of the ATMOS clock himself, Marc Newson approached the Manufacture and asked if he could design a clock for them. With the 80th Anniversary of the clock on the horizon, Jaeger LeCoultre jumped at the chance and the result was a stunning piece of modern haute horologie. In fact, I cannot think of a more modern age clock that is nothing but superlatives: movement by Jaeger LeCoultre, crystal by Baccarat, design by Marc Newson. If ever there was a winning combination, it was the ATMOS 561, and so it proved to be. So successful in fact, that Marc Newson returned with Jaeger LeCoultre two years later to design a new ATMOS clock - the ATMOS 566. He was at Brown’s Hotel this week to introduce the clock to the media in London.
[Janek Dieleskewicz and Guillain Maspetiol - Brand Director at Jaeger LeCoultre UK]
We gathered for breakfast before moving through to the presentation. A very sharply attired Janek Dieleskewicz (Jaeger LeCoultre’s Creative Director and Chief Designer) was on hand to start proceedings and introduce the ATMOS clock and its mechanism to the media. Working with Marc Newson was an obvious delight to Janek and it showed. The project obviously meant a great deal for both men, and to Jaeger LeCoultre; a chance to reinvent the ATMOS clock for the modern age.
[Marc Newson and Janek Dieleskewicz discuss design]
[Janek Dieleskewicz introducing the Marc Newson ATMOS clocks]
Marc Newson spoke at length about what the clock means to him. He loves working with Jaeger LeCoultre because when working with such professionals, he knows that if he requests or stipulates something, it will always be ‘done right’; and working with such professionals makes the whole experience a good one. The ATMOS clock itself was something he admired. When younger he had bought the most basic form of the clock; he still had it, it was still keeping time just as it should.
[Marc Newson talking about the clocks and his design]
The crystal in which the clock is housed presented something of a problem. Despite contacting a large number of glass blowing manufacturers, and despite numerous failed attempts at producing the crystal that was required, only one firm managed to complete the request as given: Baccarat. Marc Newson had been a little surprised at this as Baccarat has long been associated with glass cutting, not glass blowing. However, the glass blowing talent at Baccarat proved equal to the task, and the result was a clear bubble that not only provided a link to the past shape of ATMOS clocks (in a brass and glass cabinet), but a shape for the future in which the aesthetic is transparent and modern.
[The purity of the ATMOS 561]
In fact Marc Newson suggested that the ATMOS clock was the personification of the modern age. He thought that this was perhaps the most sustainable product he had ever designed, a perpetual motion clock that (as Jean-Leon Reutter had intended) would run for centuries without wearing out, or requiring intervention. Marc Newson also thought that way the clock worked was important; where you could observe the mechanism work; an analog experience in a digital age (where the time is simply recorded in digits on your phone, or on your computer screen).
[The ATMOS 566]
The ATMOS 561 is still one of my favourite clock designs: the ergonomic and simple design, the clear bubble-like crystal housing. For the ATMOS 566, a new complicated movement was introduced with the night sky. It was noted that if Marc wanted one for his home in Australia, Jaeger LeCoultre would have to draw the southern hemisphere sky for him. Outside of the more complicated movement with Sidereal time, equation of time, as well as the usual 12 hour clock, the design features for the new ATMOS were subtle. You adjust the time display by first unscrewing the dial (with gloves). The difference between the ATMOS 561 and the ATMOS 566 shows that the minute markers are now part of the outer dial and hence aid the removal of the dial for setting the time. The adjustable legs for the clock are now visible. However, the major visible difference is the blue crystal of the 566. This was down to the talent at Baccarat who can create glass of iridescent colour. Each crystal, because of the way the cobalt blue is mixed with the glass is unique: there are small, almost imperceptible variations in the colour and consistency within the crystal itself. It is mesmerizing!
[Night and Day]
Marc Newson, to my eyes, has breathed new life into the ATMOS clocks. Buy one – they will last your lifetime, your children’s, and beyond; a piece for now and for the time to come. My heartfelt congratulations to all concerned: Marc Newson, Baccarat, and the Manufacture Jaeger LeCoultre for producing a truly wonderful clock.
Thanks for reading
Andrew H
This message has been edited by 219 on 2010-05-14 06:27:10 This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-05-14 11:20:00 This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2010-05-15 07:46:14 This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-05-17 06:25:40 
