JLC Discovery & Masterclasses
Jaeger-LeCoultre is known for being a true manufacture, a characteristic that has owed it great respect in the watchmaking community over the decades; as you may know, JLC is often referred to as "the watchmaker's watch".
In a very rare fashion among top watchmakers, JLC is also willing to not only take you behind the scenes (with various visit possibilities) but also let you learn how it's done. The watchmaking masterclasses are a rare opportunity to get some fairly serious knowledge, directly from the experts.
All is located in the lovely Vallée-de-Joux area, cradle of Swiss high horology.
Location
Rue de la Golisse 8, 1247 Sentier (Google Maps)
Who is it for?
There are 2 categories of hands-on experiences offered by JLC:
Discovery Workshops (novice)
Watchmaking Masterclass (connoisseur)
Offering
NOVICE
Stellar Odyssey, this experience is focused on the origins of timekeeping. It focuses on the historically important ties between astronomy and watchmaking. Maximum of 8 participants.
Reverso Discovery, taking you through the journey of designing, and assembling, one of the most iconing cases in the history of watchmaking. Maximum of 8 participants.
Sound Maker Discovery, an immersion into the creation of chimes in the world of high horology, with the opportunity to assemble a complex mechanism yourself using large-scale models. Maximum of 8 participants.
CONNOISSEUR
Watchmaking Masterclass, covering general principles of watchmaking. Maximum of 6 participants.
Enamelling Masterclass, to learn the fundamentals of the ancestral decoration technique reintroduced at the JLC manufacture in the 1990s . Maximum of 4 participants.
Engraving Masterclass, taking you through the main engraving techniques (line engraving, lacquer, modelles) practiced inside the brand's Atelier des Métiers Rares. Maximum of 4 participants.
Language
Each lasts 5 hours and is available in French and English.
Cost
The price for each is 300 CHF per participant.
How to book
Visit the JLC experiences landing page for availability and dates.
SWE Rating: Excellent
SWE tips:
There is strong demand and limited availability for those experiences. I strongly recommend booking as much in advance as possible in order to match the date that works for you.
The Hotel des Horlogers not far, owned by Audemars Piguet, is an excellent hotel that blends very well in the local decorum. It can be a good idea to book lunch there, or go to the bar to chill out before and / or after your visit. Of course you can also book a stay there for a longer, more immersive time, especially if you combine with other visits such as AP.
The JLC website is beautiful and very complete but has so much information, with such a variety of possible experiences, that it can almost be confusing. Be sure to choose the workshop you really want!