Amanico's 2008 interview with Magali Metrailler, a key figure in Jaeger-LeCoultre's Design Department, offers a rare glimpse into the creative process behind some of the brand's most distinctive watches. This article highlights Metrailler's architectural background and her collaborative approach, providing valuable insights into the design philosophy that shaped models like the Master Compressor, Amvox, and Gyrotourbillon.
Interview with Magali Metrailler, from the JLC Design Department
How and why did you come to work at JLC ?I started my career as a home designer, an architect.
I earned my diploma in Interior Design in 1995, and another Diploma in Architecture in 1996.
Then I studied at the European Design Institue in Milano ( Italy ), and I graduated in 1999.
I worked fro some Architects as Bernard HEUTTE, and the Comina and Co Architects Office between 1991 and 1996.
Then, I worked as a Free Lance for various Swiss Companies, so I had man,y different artistic experiences.
Then, in 2002, I joined the Manufacture JAEGER LECOULTRE...
However, I found a more pronounced passion for the objects than for the space.
I must confess I have a relative who is a watchmaker and thus, I had a permanent contact with the watch technology.
The experience with Jaeger Lecoultre was becoming to constitute a true challenge for me.
The integration within JLC seduced me a lot.
Let me explain :
Generally, the engineers and the designers often come into conflict, the will of the ones are not very compatible with the necessities of the other ones.
When I first visited the manufacture, I felt the passion, the energy from the staff et a true love for the brand.
Here, the relationships between designers and enginers are special, as far as we all work in perfect symbiosis.
How was built the designers team at JLC and how does it work ?In 2003, we were two persons then 2 other persons joined us in 2006 and now we are 6 :
Janek, Emmanuele, Coralie, Anna, Claire and myself.
Each team member works alone on his project, the other ones working on their own projects and tasks.
For all that, we test the result of our work betwwen ourselves, we talk about it all together.
There is a key point to know to understand well how we work.
On each project, we work in collaboration with the technical office, the engineers and the watchmakers.
As I told you before, we all work in a full symbiosis.
Creating, for me, is about going beyond appearances, seeing elsewhere, seeing beyond, trying to imagine things differently.
Which watches did you design ?The compressor, the Amvox, the Gyro I and II, several Atmos and some Reverso Jewellery.
Which one is your favourite ?
(she laughs) You ask me to choose within my children but as you asked me, I would say the Master Compressor Chronograph for men and the Reverso Gyro II.
What are your thoughts in relation to the Amvox line ?The Amvox line, it's the best !
For me, I feel this line as an escape, a big breath of fresh air !
Each time, we dare more.
The Amvox I was un bit timorous, the Amvox II is sharper and a super technical watch.
The Amvox III is even more refined.
With this latest Amvox, we played the refinement card, in comparison with the Amvox I and II, but also with the Extrem Lab which is found to be a brutal conceptual watch.
What's the role of Aston Martin the the conception of the Amvox watch ?The Amvox, it's a JLC watch with the soul of Aston Martin...
We show the conception of the watch to Aston Martin and we haven't had any trouble, on the contrary. Each part respects and admires the work done by the other one.
The Aston Martin logo is not hidden. It's discreetly affixed on the dial (note : Amvox II and III) and on the case back ( note: Amvox I ).
Aston Martin didn't ask us to affix the Aston Martin Logo, it's an idea from Jerome Lambert.
The Amvox clearly remind us the automotive world. The central counter with its 270 degrees graduation illustrates it so perfectly that it can be found in each Amvox.
For all that, some were surprised by the different sizes of the figures. It is so in accordance with the tradition and with the aesthetic of the old motor counters ?Yes, it's in accordance with them. I realized that some counters from old cars had this particular and non constant display of the figures.
I liked this aesthetic and we had the idea to use it for the dials of the Amvox watches.
What would be your ideal watch ?The one whose beautiful hours drag out and whose sad hours run out.
And your favourite watch from JLC and if I may ask you, from your competitors ?From JLC, my favourite watch is the Master Compressor Chronograph for men.( Credit: Antiquorum )
Outside JLC, personnaly, it would be the IWC Portuguese Jubilee, magnificent of purity. ( Credit: Harry )
We thank you a lot Magali for the time you dedicated to us during this interview which took place right during the SIHH and we wish you, on behalf of everyone, an as inspired as joyful future !
I'd like to thank Foversta for the Traslation, and Our Jerome Berder for the pics of the interview.
Best.
Nicolas
This message has been edited by SJX on 2008-05-10 20:33:43 This message has been edited by amanico on 2008-05-14 04:45:51
