Jaeger-LeCoultre Watchmaking Masterclass Singapore
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Jaeger-LeCoultre Watchmaking Masterclass Singapore

By raphmeister · Jul 19, 2008 · 11 replies
raphmeister
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Raphmeister recounts his experience at a Jaeger-LeCoultre watchmaking masterclass in Singapore, offering readers a detailed look into the intricate process of disassembling and reassembling a chronograph movement. His report emphasizes the educational value of such events and the deep appreciation gained for haute horlogerie.

Part One: Watch Training Masterclass

Mysteriously, 2 white domes, somewhat similar to a certain item of ladies undergarment appeared in front of the open space in the middle of town in Singapore, at Orchard Road's Ngee Ann City Shopping Centre. Curiousity got the better of me and I strayed too close to the main entrance and a strong vortex sucked me into another realm... Holy Smokes! It was Le Sentier descended onto Orchard Rd. Well I always wanted to visit the Vallee de Joux and having a portal at the entrance my fave shopping mecca suited me just fine wink what lies ahead though?

side view of one of the domes


Apparently as the watchmaking gods would have it... it was time again to prove myself
at one of Jaeger LeCoultre's Masterclasses... Having displayed more valor than ability at
the classes conducted during Tempus, this seemed like an opportune time to redeem myself



i had always wished to see what ticked inside my Master Compressor Extreme world chrono
and i found out that i would have a chance of dismantling and assembling the chrono... that is
SOOOO COOOLLL !!! wink



Our guide for this journey then... Mr Frank Martin. My teacher at the tempus class, Frank's a
top guy, trains budding watch makers back at Le Sentier and does these gigs too.



So our challenge today, the calibre 751/1 which is in the Master Compressor Chrono and as
mentioned is the movement in my EWC just without the worldtime complication. EWC Cal is 752


as part of the class we got to dismantle the chrono including the column wheel...
taking out stuff was the easy part, putting them back... that was a whole different ballgame



Frank at work... showing us the moves...



Chong from JLC, who is based here, was a great help to us too...



this guy, can't remember the name now... think he's that new employee in the service department, responsible for destroying several tourbillon movements... waitaminute



thats me smile yup the raphmeister is gonna work it out...



this was how far we got to in terms of stripping the movement...



wrist shot of Frank and my Compressors...



collecting the certificate... after 4 years of training... uhm it was actually 4 hours...



and there you go... the boy is certified... or is it certifiable? hmm
(note: the movement can't be taken home yuh. i know. i tried
and have the bruises from the security dudes to show for it... [kidding]


still part One: Decoration Class


a thorn amongst the roses... oops got it wrong wink i meant a rose among the thorns...
alethea from jlc. top gal who helped in arranging our sessions and was busy and will be
busy till the end of the watchmaking week i suspect


the boyz... george, raph, eddie, lionel and kc (after a sumptious sashimi meal) harry who was
with us, is not in the shot... probably taking some mean watch pics somewhere else...


this is what i managed to do in 2 hours of the decoration class...


if u believe that than you'll believe anything smile of course that was the handiwork of this man...
Dominique Vuez, Maitre Graveur


Dominique doesnt speak English and so was ably translated by Rachel who's in Marketing
and at the boutique and doing a whole lot of other stuff too... including looking fine i might add wink


some parts he has been working on on display


my workbench and my weapons of destruction.. my first cuts to get the jlc logo out...


clamping it to finish it more... ohh looks pretty bad raphy


george going at it... the light weight of the team alinghi on his wrist not a hindrance
to his finishing efforts...


raphmeister trying to get it to shine... stress on the keyword 'trying'


dominique was wearing a familiar watch so the wristshot was mandatory smile 2 mc ewcs in
da house... err in da domes


and another certificate smile at this rate, they are gonna give me a contract
of employment next wink haha


a nice memento... its not going into any watch but it was fun and a totally enjoyable experience


the takeaway from both classes is that A LOT goes into these mechanical watches, from the assembly of the parts, to the finishing of all the large and tiny bits of the movement, and it totally makes you appreciate your fine mechanical timepieces so much more which is all good with me smile wonderful way to learn more about the watchmakers art and craft and hopefully spread the passion. oh and make sure you have a JLC in the collection as they make damn fine movements and watches smile

my sincere thanks to the kind folks at JLC for having me... Stephane, Xavier, Rachel, Alethea, Garina... our class teachers Frank, Chong, Dominique et al and Jaw at Le Club and Horomundi... it was an absolute treat (look out for part 2 coming soon... )

Key Points from the Discussion

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The Discussion
RA
raphmeister
Jul 19, 2008

atmos marqueterie featuring art by gustav klimt... i really like this... combination of the different types of art... very impressive indeed this is cool too... marc newson designed and baccarat crystal all around atmos' r just about the best clocks out there for folks like us wif watches on the brain the gyro 1... so impressive but overshadowed by the gyro 2 JLCs on display... these show 2nd timezones or world times chronographs galore gorgeous master 8 days perpetual... but a lil tough to read

AM
amanico
Jul 19, 2008

Seems you had great time, my friend. Yes, Stephane Belmont and all the JLC team is impressive in their kindness and disponibility, can't agree more with you on this point. I really think that the Gyro II is not only the watch ofr the year, but that its place must be in the Pantheon of Horology, But I can't forget the Gyro I, as the First one, of course, but as also THE Grande Complication it is, which is not the case for the Gyro II. So, alas, I rather think that the Gyro I and II are complement

ST
Steyr
Jul 20, 2008

The Master Class is a very good opportunity to realize how difficult the watchmaker job can be. Difficult to make a correct assembly without too many scrathes, to handle those small parts, to work with a "basic" saw, basic file, make a rough finishing... Making it look nice and possibly quickly... This is a real job ! Thanks again for the photos ! Christian.

RA
raphmeister
Jul 20, 2008

Hey Nicolas It was a most excellent time indeed. The JLC team were really great. The Gyro II is just too amazing. its beauty and substance and I agree with your sentiments. it deserves all the watch honors coming its way and then some... the Gyro 1 as you mentioned is still a strong watch and there are definitely many who would prefer it to the Gyro 2 given the choice for the reasons mentioned. many gorgeous watches there which is proof of JLCs strength in its breadth of offering. you're most we

RA
raphmeister
Jul 20, 2008

Hey Christian, the masterclasses really lets you appreciate hand finished and hand assembled movements a whole lot more. it was great and i recommend it for anyone keen to learn a bit more about what goes in to their expensive time pieces. cheers raph

DJ
Dje
Jul 20, 2008

Hi, Thanks a lot for sharing your experience at this event. Apparently fascinating and very pleasing. JLC is definitely a company that wants to share with its fans and customers. I'm glad you could and we can get so much fun with them! Cheers Dje

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