A visit at the " Atelier des Atmos " is always a great moment, while you are at the Manufacture.
The " Atelier " ( Workshop ) is not only mounting the Atmos which will end at your favorite place, it is also restoring them.
So, it can be said that these 2 activities, achieved in the same place, contribute to the charm, the magic of the workshop, which is also a kind of living museum, an " annexe " to the Heritage Gallery, a part of History, where Past and Present are intimately blended.
First of all, your Guide will lead you to the Workshop, which is not easy to find for a normal visitor, as the Grande Maison is really " Grande ".
At a certain moment, he showed me that...
JLC doesn't only claim Perpetuity on the Atmos, they proove it:
They decided to wall an Atmos, and to let it run.
And since June, 26th 1996, it runs!
How?
Look at the 6 round holes in the wall. They allow the air to come into this space, and then, to " feed " the Atmos.
Just above these 6 holes, another squared one let show the clock in action, beating, measuring the time with accuracy:
Then, you're invited to enter the Atmos World.
The first thing you'll see is the construction of the Atmos Cabinet:
The assembly of the movement:
A pleasant finish for a true piece of Horology!
Here, the pieces are much bigger than those you can see while " assembling " the microscopic parts of a watch.
Nonetheless, big or small, they still are assembled with a lot of care, and when you first saw the first steps in maing these veeery small horological part, then you are in the Atmos Workshop, you have the same feeling than Gulliver having his first experience in the real world!
The work is still in progress...
The bellows may now be mounted on the back of the movement.
A real Atmos Army!
A view from the top of the clock, quite spectacular:
Do you see the JL shape of the part which is used to set the speed of the movement?
The quality of the wire used in the Atmos is long time tested, here, with a 500 grams weight:
The wire, made in Elinvar, holds the Atmos " Balancier " which slowly turns.
The clocks are submitted to accuracy tests, before being definitely encased in their Baccarat Crystal body, like in these ....
Newson!
Or there, a regiment of ...Dunhill!
I think this is my favorite Atmos, by far, with the exception of the Astronomique, which I wasn't lucky enough to see during my short trip.
Make a few meters, and BANG, you make a Journey into Time, a trip back to the 30ies!
Here some Beauties from the Mid 30ies:
Do you prefer it in white or black dial?
Do you want to know the Mystery of winding such Beauties?
Are you sure?
In this case, the difference of temperature is essential in the winding of the clock, as for the Modern Atmos, but in a different way, as the first Atmos used...
...Mercury!
Which may be problematic, because it is extremely fragile, but JLC knows how to repair it.
Back to Poetry of Time, there are always some surprises to be seen there, as this lovely Music Box which is waiting for a complete service:
This next picture coud sum all the interest, the charm and the magic of the Atmos Workshop.
Here, a younger old lady is sitting, and if you pay attention to the left part of the pic, you will recognize the back of a Marc Newson Atmos, as to show that Past and Present are closely linked, not to say blended:
The hands look like the propellers of and old plane, and they beautiufully patined!
And what about this close up of the movement?
The same Atmos with its elegant glass cover:
Or in another cabinet:
If you're more keen on Art Deco Style, there will be easy to find something for you:
What about this one ?
One thing is certain...
Being able to see in the same place and moment such masterpieces is an unforgettable experience, and I would want to add that the people who work at the Atmos Workshop were very kind, avid to share their Passion for their work, for their creations.
If you go at the " Grande Maison ", ask your Guide to lead you there, you won't regret it, or maybe yes, you will, as you will be convinced to get one of them.
Perpetually yours,
Nicolas
This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-05-11 01:13:46 This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-05-14 03:01:52 This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-05-14 12:30:27 
