Jaeger-LeCoultre
Le Sentier, Switzerland · Est. 1833
Founded by Antoine LeCoultre, Edmond Jaeger
Founded in Le Sentier in 1833 by Antoine LeCoultre, Jaeger-LeCoultre has registered more than 1,400 calibres and 430 patents, making it one of the most prolific manufactures in watchmaking history. The Manufacture Royale — one of the most complete watchmaking facilities in the world — produces everything from escapements to cases in-house, and is the creator of the Reverso, Atmos clock, and Master Compressor.
- Founded
- 1833
- Headquarters
- Le Sentier, Switzerland
- Group
- Richemont
- Price Segment
- Luxury
- Status
- Active
Pronunciation & name
ZHAY-zhair luh-KOOLT-ruh
Often shortened to JLC in collector conversation.
Name note: The name combines LeCoultre with Parisian watchmaker Edmond Jaeger.
Why this brand matters
JLC supplied movements to many prestigious houses during the 20th century.
Collector flashcards
- Watchmaker’s watchmaker — JLC supplied movements to many prestigious houses during the 20th century.
- Reverso origin — The Reverso case was created for polo players who needed to protect the crystal.
- Atmos clocks — JLC’s Atmos clock runs from tiny temperature changes in its environment.
Key Collections
- Reverso (1931) — Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is the maison's reversible icon, created for polo and now spanning Tribute, Duoface, Calendar, and Chronograph interpretations. Key references: Tribute Monoface Small Seconds, Tribute Duoface Small Seconds, Tribute Duoface Calendar, Tribute Chronograph.
- Master (1992) — Jaeger-LeCoultre Master is the maison's round dress-watch family, spanning Master Control and Master Ultra Thin with dates, moon phases, calendars, and restrained chronometer-led execution. Key references: Master Control Chronometre Date, Master Control Date Power Reserve, Master Control Perpetual Calendar, Master Ultra Thin Moon.
- Polaris (1968) — Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris is the maison's sportiest modern watch family, inspired by the 1968 Memovox Polaris and spanning date, chronograph, geographic, and perpetual-calendar expressions. Key references: Polaris Date, Polaris Chronograph, Polaris Geographic, Polaris Perpetual Calendar.
- Rendez-Vous (2012) — Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous is the maison's feminine complication line, balancing moonphase, night/day, and jewelry-led executions with manufacture watchmaking. Key references: Rendez-Vous Moon, Rendez-Vous Night & Day, Rendez-Vous Hour-Minute, Rendez-Vous Shooting Star.
- Atmos (1928) — Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos is the maison's clock family, powered by tiny temperature changes and spanning classic brass, moon-phase, transparent, and Marc Newson designs. Key references: Atmos Collection Classic, Atmos Collection Classic Moon, Atmos Collection Transparente, Atmos Collection Infinite.
Timeline
- 2025 — Celebrates the Reverso's polo heritage with the 1931 Polo Club theme at Watches & Wonders 2025. Debuts the Gyrotourbillon Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 in white gold, Reverso Tribute Minute Repeater and Reverso Tribute Geographic worldtimer.
Frequently Asked Questions about Jaeger-LeCoultre
- Where is Jaeger-LeCoultre based?
- The manufacture has been located in Le Sentier, in Switzerland's Vallée de Joux, since Antoine LeCoultre founded his workshop there in 1833.
- What is the Reverso?
- The Reverso is a rectangular wristwatch with a reversible case, originally designed in 1931 for polo players who wanted to protect the crystal.
- Who owns Jaeger-LeCoultre?
- Jaeger-LeCoultre has been part of the Richemont Group since 2000.
Official retail & service
More Richemont watch brands
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- Baume & Mercier — Geneva, Switzerland
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