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(Press Release) Special JLC-Dr. Romanelli limited edition of RGD & Reverso Grande Taille
Fine watchmaking icon meets irresistible trend setting fashion:
The story of Jaeger-LeCoultre and Doctor Romanelli
The collaboration between Jaeger-LeCoultre, the reference in fine watchmaking, and Doctor Romanelli, a spirited and innovative American designer, began with a charmed encounter. When the designer came across Jaeger-LeCoultre's iconic Reverso watch, he had one dream for this understated classic: to make it thrive in the context of urban chic street wear.
From this inspiration comes an innovative take on the iconic Reverso, a special limited edition inspired by the talent of Dr. Romanelli and an irresistible collection of Dr. Romanelli leather jackets to be worn together thanks to an ingenious contraption. There is no doubt that the Jaeger-LeCoultre and Dr. Romanelli watch and jacket combination will quickly become the darling of style-conscious urban men and fashion-forward women.
These must-have pieces will be available starting in January 2006 for a limited time in the most exclusive, trend setting stores in Paris, London, Tokyo, Los Angeles and Hong Kong.
Jerome Lambert, Chief Executive of Jaeger-LeCoultre, unplugged?
Meeting Darren Romanelli was really a chance encounter amidst the buzz of the streets of Los Angeles. We were intrigued at once. Then, Darren brought his Los Angeles energy and 'vibe' to our Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre in Le Sentier. One would think two completely incompatible worlds But his curious mind and insightful eyes were in a state of fascination when he visited our workshops. We realized that we shared the same great pioneering spirit, a sense of boundless energy, and skilled craftsmanship.
Over that visit and in the following months, our design team under the direction of Janek Deleskiewicz exchanged inspired ideas with Darren. What has resulted from their collaboration is a smart version of our Reverso icon. Having found its raison-d'tre 75 years ago on the wrists of British polo players in India in the early 1930s, we have discovered a very cool incarnation of our icon: on the wrists of fast-paced urban men and stylish women wanting to make a statement with their watch.
With a big year for our Reverso icon ahead celebrating its illustrious past and revealing its bright future with a stunning new collection in 2006, we felt we could reveal its lighter and fun side to an edgy group of opinion leaders, with a very exclusive edition. One of the greatest assets of Jaeger-LeCoultre is our Manufacture, founded in 1833. Today it is one of the only truly integrated high-end watch manufactures, able to produce just about any imaginable watch with any imaginable functionality. This asset allowed the Jaeger-LeCoultre design team and Dr. Romanelli to have some fun!?
"The pioneers who founded Jaeger-LeCoultre and those who created the first Reverso watch would have identified with Darren?s curiosity and sense of craftsmanship'"
Janek Deleskiewicz, Artistic Director at Jaeger-LeCoultre, enthusiastic and inspired
"A watch, a watch-and-jacket, a strong statement on your sleeve fashion and timeless watchmaking in one. What a crazy yet useful idea!"
"When my team and I first met Darren Romanelli, we were very intrigued by this talented young designer. His work with other major iconic brands sparked our interest indeed. His whole being is tuned into what fashion leaders desire, what they wear, what they do in their spare time and how they show their tastes."
"When Darren came to the Manufacture, the creative juices started flowing and before we knew it we had discovered a new way to wear our iconic Reverso watch: as a bold statement on your wrist or on the sleeve of a very funky(as they say in LA!) leather jacket. We designed the Reverso to take on the recognizable graphic design of Dr. Romanelli and an ingenious system to slip the watch onto the fabulous jacket."
"Of course, all of this is very cool as it is but we wanted to go further so that fashion-forward and beautiful people can experience our collaboration in the trendiest fashion shops in Paris, London, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Tokyo. We are working with Darren and the teams from key trend setting stores in these cities to create just the perfect experience and eye-catching backdrop to discover the concept, Dr. Romanelli and Jaeger-LeCoultre. There is so much to tell of our common passion, dedication to craftsmanship and instinctive habit to break through moulds. It's not only a unique watch project but a 'street' twist on an haute couture project.?
"What is enjoyable for me personally is this fresh take on the Reverso's design and wear-ability The magic of this collaboration is that we haven't altered the heart and soul of our icon, and yet have made it hip and resolutely urban 'cool' Such reincarnation and constant rejuvenation appeal to my very core as a designer. What a fun project, with great talent all around!"
Darren (a.k.a. Doctor) Romanelli, Designer, a one of a kind collaboration
"The original idea was to revolutionize the way people would look at telling time and wearing a leather jacket. It wasn't until after visiting the Manufacture of Jaeger-LeCoultre in Le Sentier, that I realized the significance of this unique, historical collaboration. I was lucky enough to visit a room where they were literally bringing antique Reverso watches back to life. I was instantly transported back to my studio in Los Angeles, where I resurrect vintage clothing. I was inspired and the connection between the two brands had been made. On some level, I consider myself a doctor of the cloth, and JLC is the ultimate doctor of watches."
"A limited number of watches and jackets will be available, which adds to the timeless, collectible quality of the collaboration."
"That said, the official prescription from Dr. Romanelli: Jaeger-LeCoultre, for several months starting in December 2005."
Jaeger-LeCoultre timepieces, a limited series Grande Reverso Grande Date for men and Reverso Grande Taille for women.
Jaeger-LeCoultre is producing a special limited series of men's and women's watches inspired by the world of Dr. Romanelli.
For men with character, a Grande Reverso Grande Reserve in Stainless Steel, featuring a mechanical movement with 8 days power reserve, a bold yet elegant black and dark grey guilloch?dial that makes a natural link to the strong designs of the Dr. Romanelli leather jackets.
For stylish and modern-minded women, the Reverso Grande Taille in Stainless Steel, featuring a mechanical movement with 45 hours of power reserve and a gorgeous black and white guilloch?dial, is the perfect complement to the glamorous yet cutting edge look of Dr. Romanelli jackets.
On both the men's and ladies' models, a pair of couture scissors gives the elegant dial an edgy twist. A special engraving on the case-back in the shape of Dr. Romanelli's scissors cleverly alludes to the designer's savoir-faire.
Beyond the design of the watches comes new way to wear a Reverso. The watches are fitted with a special adaptation bridge that allows the owner to make a confident fashion statement with a broad strap in soft lamb leather: strapping the watch around the cuff of the Dr. Romanelli jacket. The watch head can also be removed from the broad strap and replaced with a stainless steel tag -- a great accessory for a more 'street-wear'fashion statement. Finally, the clasp is removable so that the watch can also been worn with a more classic strap of the Reverso collection.
With so many great ways to wear a Jaeger-LeCoultre timepiece with a Dr. Romanelli leather jacket, this is truly a highly collectible combination of talent, style and craftsmanship!
About Dr. Romanelli's gorgeous jackets
The collaboration with Jaeger-LeCoultre is going to focus on the prestigious brand's iconic timepiece, the Reverso, while at the same time creating a new way to perceive the watch by integrating it in a number of different styles of Dr. Romanelli jackets.
Precisely, there will be four styles in total: two men's and two women's models. Although the focus of the Dr. Romanelli and Jaeger-LeCoultre collaboration will mostly consist of all-season colours -- shades of black and white, grey, chocolate brown -- Romanelli threw in a number of pastels and surprise colour combinations for the more Spring oriented tastemakers.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre and Dr. Romanelli collaboration and the special edition watch and leather jacket can be found starting in mid-December for a limited time in Los Angeles, then on to Tokyo, Hong Kong, Paris, and London at the following stores:
- Jaeger-LeCoultre Boutiques in Paris, London, Hong Kong and at an authorized Jaeger-LeCoultre retailer in Los Angeles
- In Los Angeles at Maxfield?s
- In Tokyo at Isetan
- In Paris at Colette
- In London at Brown?s
- In Hong Kong at Joyce
For more information, please stay tuned at www.jaeger-lecoultre.com and www.drromanelli.com.
About Jaeger-LeCoultre
Home to the finest traditions of hand craftsmanship, the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre in the Vall?e de Joux, Switzerland, is one of the few remaining high-end watch companies able to produce a timepiece entirely within its own workshops. The pursuit of excellence and the refusal to accept boundaries are the guiding principles which guarantee the company's enduring success. These principles form an integral part of Jaeger-LeCoultre's legend, whether expressed through the timepieces we create ?the Reverso, Master, Ideale, AMVOX, Atmos or the proprietary movements within the collection.
For over 170 years, Jaeger-LeCoultre has developed and made over 1,000 movements, offering an exceptionally broad range of functionality. Our complications repertoire runs from Calibre 101, the world?s smallest mechanical movement, to the most ingenious complications: tourbillons, perpetual calendars, minute repeaters and chronographs.
With more than 40 different areas of expertise, the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre brings together under one roof those who have adopted the credo: 'far more important than any man-made instruments, our eyes, hands and heart remain our most precious tools'
Jaeger-LeCoultre, the Reference in fine watchmaking, Vall?e de Joux, Switzerland, since 1833.
About Dr. Romanelli
It's easy to become infected by Dr. Romanelli's enthusiasm for his obsession-turned-profession: brand hijacking. He's taken what began as a personal endeavor, of mixing and matching his own hybrid of styles, and developed a whole new paradigm shift for a reputable worldwide clientele. Darren Romanelli, the 29 year-old mastermind and LA native has set forth a ripple of trends that continues to grow.
Inspiration began while mining the numerous vintage stores of Eugene, while he was a student at the University of Oregon. Mixing came out of necessity, keeping his clothing choices fresh and his style original on a student's budget. However, the uniqueness caught on with friends, allowing his influence to grow as well as for a new vocation brewing. "I always liked the idea of taking something apart and putting it back together,"says Romanelli. "When it comes to fashion, I like specific elements of different lines. So, it wasn't a stretch to take the best parts of these pieces of clothing and make them it into something new."
Music was a big motivation, lending to his thoughts of putting disparate parts together to produce an original concept. For instance, upon returning to LA, he managed the band Ima Robot, where he utilized his flair for fresh perspectives in producing a graffiti and guerilla art campaign, which quickly helped to build the band's profile. Their success led to the formation of Street Virus, Romanelli's custom marketing company, now enlisted by an ever-growing list of big name clients. He sounds like a kid in a candy store when he recounts his project exploits. "I didn't go into this because I thought I could make money from it," he says "I got into this just because I had passion for it."
Around the same time, LA boutiques began taking notice of his hand-made designs, consistently selling out of each unique piece. Because each was one-of-a-kind, demand and word-of-mouth developed quickly. Then, Nike approached him about the Reconstruction exhibit, giving him 24 hours and the raw materials from their cutting room floor to create a piece of art. Now, ten collections later of reconstructed Nike jackets, Romanelli is a collectible commodity.
Recently, Darren has worked with Jose Parla, a calligrapher extraordinaire, on a limited collection for Celux; Parisian artist Fafi on a unique collaboration for Colette; and a project with Japan's SOPH creator Hirofumi Kiyonaga.
Jaeger-LeCoultre, Special limited series Reverso Grande Reserve for men
TECHNICAL DESCRIPITION
Movement:
Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 874, Mechanical movement, 8 days power-reserve, crafted and decorated by hand, 25 jewels, 210 parts
Functions:
Hours, Minutes, Small seconds, 8 days power reserve indicator
Function adjustment:
1 crown for setting the hours and minutes
Dial:
Black guilloch? dark grey minute scale, with an interpretation of couture scissors in transferred decoration
Hands:
Polished baton steel hands
Case:
Reversible, Grande Reverso size, patented power-reserve indicator on the back. Special easy-removable adaptation bridge allowing the watch to be mounted on either a standard strap or broad cuff size strap
Engraving:
Special engraving on the back, referring to Dr. Romanelli?s scissors
Material:
Stainless steel
Strap:
Broad cuff size strap in soft lamb leather in colours matching Dr. Romanelli?s jackets
Limited series:
Limited series of 50 pieces numbered on the Reverso carrier
Water Resistance:
30 metres
Jaeger-LeCoultre, Special limited series Reverso Grande Taille for women
TECHNICAL DESCRIPITION
Movement:
Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 822, Mechanical movement, crafted and decorated by hand, 21 jewels, 134 parts
Functions:
Hours, Minutes, Small seconds
Function adjustment:
1 crown for setting the hours and minutes
Dial:
Black and white guilloch? dark grey minute scale, with an interpretation of couture scissors in transferred decoration
Hands:
Polished baton steel hands
Case:
Reversible, Grande Taille size, special easy-removable adaptation bridge allowing the watch to be mounted on either a standard strap or broad cuff size strap
Engraving:
Special engraving on the back, referring to Dr. Romanelli?s scissors
Material:
Stainless steel
Strap:
Broad cuff size strap in soft lamb leather in colours matching Dr. Romanelli?s jackets
Limited series:
Limited series of 50 pieces numbered on the Reverso carrier
Water Resistance:
30 metres
Available on the marketplace
