Jaeger-LeCoultre Unveils Its Olfactory Signatures

Jaeger-LeCoultre engages French perfumer Nicolas Bonneville to create a trio of fragrances within the maison's Olfactory Signatures range.

In the complex interplay of human senses, few stimuli possess the evocative power of aroma. A little inhalation can evoke recollections and elicit sentiments. Inspired by a profound appreciation of beauty, Jaeger-LeCoultre unveils its new Olfactory Signatures artistic cooperation as a distinct manifestation of its refined elegance and workmanship. This initiative highlights Jaeger-LeCoultre's creative essence by merging scent and timepieces to evoke both sensory and emotional responses.

This new creative endeavor is led by French fragrance Nicolas Bonneville, recognized for his expertise in merging tradition with innovation. Similar to many acclaimed perfumers, Bonneville's odyssey commenced in the fragrance hub of Grasse. A spark ignited his enthusiasm for perfume production, which he further cultivated through self-directed experimentation and later, guidance from industry luminaries such as Francis Kurkdjian. His innovative perspective and comprehension of sensory experiences render him an exemplary collaborator within Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Made of Makers initiative. The program fosters conversation between watchmaking and many creative fields, uniting worldwide talents to reinterpret art forms. Featuring individuals like mixologist Matthias Giroud, singer TØKIO M¥ERS, and street light-painter Roy Wang, it illustrates tradition as a dynamic and always growing source of inspiration.

Just as Jaeger-LeCoultre requires complexity, ingenuity, and a harmonic blend of history and innovation in horology, Bonneville’s creative representative reflects a comparable ethos. Primarily, precision constitutes a basic cornerstone of both disciplines. A watchmaker carefully constructs parts to guarantee impeccable performance, whereas a perfumer harmonizes elements to attain aromatic precision and complexity.

Bonneville's creations for Jaeger-LeCoultre embody the quintessence of the maison through three distinct perfumes, each drawing inspiration from its illustrious legacy. The Timeless Stories, inspired by the iconic Reverso timepiece, amalgamates woody and leathery accords, conjuring the robust sophistication of polo matches. The vibrancy of violet leaves mirrors the manicured polo fields, while orris contributes a sophisticated and enduring core, encapsulating the Reverso's duality. The leather accord at the base further amplifies the fragrance's lasting quality.

The Celestial Odyssey is an amber and spicy homage to the moon, sun, and stars that have inspired horologists for millennia. The fragrance combines patchouli, amber woods, and vanilla in its top, middle, and base notes, respectively. Bonneville utilizes a high-tech, waterless CO2 extraction technique known as Superfluid Critical Extraction, which safeguards the vanilla's subtle aromatic qualities, rather than employing a conventional extraction procedure. This last fragrance pays tribute to the precise craftsmanship of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s creation, with incense symbolizing the maison’s roots through the intense heat of the blacksmith’s forge. It is further enhanced by a bespoke combination of cedar, guaiac, and oud, reflecting the watchmaker's workbench.

Through this cooperation, Jaeger-LeCoultre redefines the limits of artistry, intricately merging the realms of fragrance and horology with unmatched precision. Bonneville's compositions function not only as olfactory marvels but also as an homage to the maison's lasting tradition, eternal accuracy, and artistic progress.