Patrick_yβs detailed account of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Soundmaker Exhibit in New York City offers a rare glimpse into the brand's horological mastery. His original post, rich with personal observations and photographs, serves as an invaluable resource for collectors interested in JLC's legacy of chiming complications. This article synthesizes community reactions, providing additional context and critical perspectives on the exhibit's presentation.
I had the privilege to tour the Soundmaker Exhibit in NYC yesterday. This is a special event hosted by Jaeger-LeCoultre in New York City from 21-September-2021 through 06-October-2021. Please visit if you can!
Located in the trendy and luxurious Meatpacking District of NYC (where
Loro Piana and Hermes have opened stores alongside a Lucid Electric
Vehicle dealership and Belstaff motorcycle jackets boutique) near the
Whitney Museum and the Highline Park, it's definitely showing that
Jaeger-LeCoultre is in touch with modern times.
The exhibit is small but extremely rich. Rich in the sense that there are multiple minute repeaters and alarm watches, both are specialties of the brand. JLC has made dozens of calibers that emit sound, almost all of these calibers are manufacture calibers (meaning they were built by JLC, and not sub-contracted to other firms), JLC has even helped consult with other brands achieve their own minute repeaters over the years.
Gigantic tall doors welcome you to the exhibition space.
That's the CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre in the background.
There are FOUR main areas in the exhibit.
1. The Vintage Room where you can see pieces of JLC's minute repeating and sonnerie pocket watches.
2. The Modern Room where you can see watches from 1994 to present that are repeaters or sonneries.
3. A special ART Exhibit
4. The Alarm Room that Celebrates the Memovox Alarm Watches...
THE VINTAGE ROOM
Special exhibits of minute repeaters were brought over from the factory's museum.
Isn't that gorgeous!
This one has automaton movements.
Couldn't get a good photo of this one, no matter how hard I tried. But this is a famous lightly skeletonized ultra thin piece from JLC's past.
THE MODERN ROOM
A JLC watchmaker is at her booth, demonstrating it takes a passage of time to make something that measures the time.
The Grand Sonnerie... Enough said.
Again, apologies for the mediocre photo. It's not possible to get good photos due to the bright lighting that overwhelms the camera sensor and the plate glass.
Shh! Donβt tell anybody this one is one of my favorites because it's the only one my small wrist can accommodate. It's a small minute repeater. It doesn't sound that special (not the loudest, nor the best tone), but what a minute repeater!
The Westminster Chime of this watch is so very impressive!
The ART ROOM
The art room features a special installation that's the size of a small swimming pool. You have to be there to fully appreciate it! You almost want to dive into the art installation!
The MEMOVOX Room
Alarm watches are something of a JLC specialty and the brand has made more alarm calibers than any other brand. Since alarm watches are also watches capable of generating sound, we have a special room dedicated to the alarm watches both past and present at JLC!
This is but a glimpse of what you can see at The Soundmaker Exhibit! Definitely visit if you're in the area! And even if you're not in the area, this one is worthy of a detour. The exhibit isn't extremely large and it wouldn't take too much time to get a good appreciation for how this brand approaches the communication of time via sound to its clients' ears. It's also easily digestible, meaning feel free to bring the kids and your partner, they won't be too bored since the exhibit isn't long. There is no cost to visit. Go to the website and register a time. Remember to show your vaccination card or a recent negative COVID test result as per New York City law requires.
The brand even has special workshops (space is limited, tickets need to be purchased in advance) for the seriously inclined and majorly afflicted watch collector.
Thanks again to JLC for putting on this event! I'm definitely impressed by the history of JLC's accomplishments and it's a nice reminder to see JLC's recent accomplishments too! What a brand!
