THE ATMOS INFINITE ‘HALO’ by JAEGER-LECOULTRE

THE ATMOS INFINITE ‘HALO’
 
A NEW INTERPRETATION WITH A WHITE LACQUER DIAL AMPLIFIES THE AESTHETIC PURITY OF THE DESIGN
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KEY FACTS:

• Watchmaking ingenuity: a revolutionary ‘perpetual motion’ horological concept, invented in 1928, with a change of one degree Celsius providing 48 hours of power reserve
• A new white lacquer dial: requiring 10 coats of lacquer to be applied, with rigorously controlled drying after each layer
• Limited edition: offering 100 pieces

The invention of the utmost perpetual movement has been the dream of physicists for centuries. Unique in the world of horology, the creation of the Atmos clock in 1928 brought this dream to life – not just as a remarkable timepiece, it is a kinetic work of art defined by the distinctive form of its mechanism. In 2022, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced this extraordinary clock in an entirely new design – the Atmos Infinite – and in 2025, La Grande Maison presents a new interpretation of the design: a limited edition of 100 pieces with a white lacquer dial.


AN EXTRAORDINARY TIMEPIECE LIVING ON AIR
 
Invented in 1928 by Jean-Léon Reutter, the Atmos seems to defy the laws of physics: running independently of human intervention, it draws its energy from infinitesimal variations in the ambient air temperature. The secret lies in a hermetically sealed, gas-filled capsule, which is connected to the clock’s drive spring by a membrane. The slightest temperature variation changes the volume of the gas, causing the membrane to ‘breathe’ like the bellows of an accordion, and wind the spring. A temperature fluctuation of just one degree Celsius provides the clock with an operating autonomy of about two days, enabling it to run perpetually.

An ode to transparency and minimalism, the Atmos Infinite ‘Halo’ is a design of great purity yet remains true to the intrinsic identity of the Atmos. A 21st-century reinterpretation of the classical Art Deco “glass box” Atmos design, the smooth, cylindrical glass cabinet of the Atmos Infinite ‘Halo’ also recalls the rounded “bell jar” domes of the very earliest models. With its complete absence of visual distraction, the seamless glass cabinet gives full value to the remarkable Atmos mechanism, which appears to float freely within it. In fact, it is held in place by glass supports, designed to be virtually invisible. From every angle, this allows an unrestricted view of the entire mechanism, with the bellows, chains and gears that keep the clock moving.
 MINIMALISTIC DESIGN ENHANCED BY A WHITE LACQUER DIAL
 
The white lacquered dial, composed of two circles that create an impression of visual depth, is complemented by polished baton-shaped applied indexes and hands that match the silvery rhodium finish of the mechanism. An exercise in refined simplicity, it exemplifies how removing unnecessary details allows the true elegance of an object to emerge. The making of the dial ring is an intricate process that demands great precision. The purity of the white requires 10 coats of lacquer to be applied, with rigorously controlled drying after each layer. The lacquer is then polished, and a varnish is applied to protect it during the machining of tiny indentations to accommodate the indexes. This painstaking craftsmanship ensures a flawless finish, where clarity and balance define the final aesthetic. Once completed, the protective varnish is carefully removed, and the indexes are attached in their slots.
 
On a metal outer ring, the minutes are marked by tiny, indented dots. Their form echoes the round indentations on the annular balance, which oscillates in its slow and mesmerising rhythm beneath the body of the movement. This subtle detailing reinforces the purity of the design, where every element has a role, and nothing feels excessive or out of place.

The approach to design is echoed by the clock’s functions: Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 570 is an hours-and-minutes movement that eschews the distraction of additional complications. By focusing only on the essential, it embodies the philosophy that true sophistication lies in simplicity. The open-worked construction – a characteristic of Atmos calibres – is likewise refined to its purest form, yet fine watchmaking finishes, including brushed surfaces, polished edges and Côtes de Genève stripes, combine to create an intriguing play of light and reflection. With its clean lines and thoughtful proportions, the Atmos Infinite ‘Halo’ allows the craftsmanship and quality of materials to shine through, proving that less is indeed more.
The new interpretation of the Atmos Infinite ‘Halo’ epitomises Jaeger-LeCoultre’s constant quest for aesthetic evolution married to a deep commitment to technical excellence and innovation anchored in horological tradition. Designed, produced and assembled in a dedicated workshop within the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre, the new, limited-edition Atmos Infinite ‘Halo’ will be unveiled in Milan on 8 April 2025 during the Milan Design Week, the world’s leading design event.