Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Exquisite Homage to the Atmos Clock

Milan Design Week has long been a celebration of creativity and innovation. This year, Jaeger-LeCoultre takes centre stage with ‘Living on Air’, an exhibition dedicated to the remarkable Atmos clock.

Running from 8 to 13 April 2025 at the historic Villa Mozart, this immersive event offers visitors a journey through nine decades of horological mastery, showcasing the evolution of a timepiece that appears to defy the very laws of physics.

At the heart of the exhibition is the Atmos clock, an ingenious creation that operates on the principle of ‘perpetual motion’.

Invented in 1928 by Jean-Léon Reutter, the clock harnesses the smallest fluctuations in air temperature to sustain its movement.

This pioneering mechanism captivated Jacques-David LeCoultre, who refined the design and introduced it to the world under the Jaeger-LeCoultre name. Today, the Atmos remains a symbol of mechanical ingenuity and aesthetic refinement.

‘Living on Air’ unfolds across four thematic chapters, each offering a deeper appreciation of this exceptional timepiece. The first, ‘The Genesis: The (Seemingly) Impossible Dream’, explores mankind’s enduring fascination with perpetual motion, tracing its origins to ancient Alexandria.

This chapter illuminates how Reutter’s groundbreaking work led to the development of the first Atmos prototype and how Jaeger-LeCoultre transformed it into a functional and elegant object of desire.

In ‘The Mechanism: Inside the Atmos’, visitors are granted a rare glimpse into the intricate workings of this horological marvel.

Live demonstrations reveal how a gas-filled capsule, hermetically sealed within the clock, expands and contracts with temperature variations, converting thermal energy into the precise power needed to sustain movement. This near-perpetual operation is a testament to the mastery of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s engineers.

The third chapter, ‘The Design: Atmos as an Objet d’Art’, showcases the artistic collaborations that have elevated the Atmos beyond mere functionality.

From the modern interpretations of Marc Newson to the exquisite marquetry-crafted cabinets, this section highlights the artistic craftsmanship that has continuously redefined the clock’s aesthetic identity.

Each Atmos iteration tells a story of creative evolution, blending traditional savoir-faire with contemporary vision.

The final chapter, ‘The Complication: Beyond Timekeeping’, delves into the advanced complications introduced to the Atmos over the decades. Among the most extraordinary is the Atmos Tellurium, a masterpiece that replicates the celestial dance of the Earth, Moon and Sun.

This clock, requiring no manual adjustment until the year 2412, embodies the delicate balance between technological prowess and the poetry of time itself.

To mark the occasion, Jaeger-LeCoultre will unveil a new limited-edition Atmos clock that reflects the contemporary design ethos of Milan Design Week.

This launch underscores the brand’s commitment to both innovation and heritage, ensuring the Atmos remains as relevant today as it was at its inception.

Adding to its presence at Milan Design Week, Jaeger-LeCoultre is also supporting the Homo Faber Fellowship exhibition, ‘Today’s Masters Meet Tomorrow’s Talents’.

Taking place at Casa degli Artisti in Brera, this initiative showcases exceptional craftsmanship through the collaboration of master artisans and emerging talents.

The Maison’s involvement reinforces its dedication to preserving and fostering artistic excellence.

For those seeking an encounter with horological artistry, ‘Living on Air’ promises an unforgettable experience.

Visitors can register online in advance or upon arrival at Villa Mozart to witness a celebration of precision, beauty and the enduring allure of time itself.