Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre SA was founded in 1833 by Antoine LeCoultre in Le Sentier, Switzerland. LeCoultre was known for inventing the Millionomètre in 1844, which at the time was the world’s most precise measuring instrument and in 1847 developed a keyless system for setting and rewinding watches. He was formally recognized for his achievements at the very first World Expo in London.
Rebranding as Jaeger-LeCoultre
After accepting and succeeding in meeting a challenge issued by Paris-based watchmaker Edmond Jaeger and their subsequent collaboration, the company was eventually renamed as Jaeger-LeCoultre in 1937. Today they are a fully owned subsidiary of Richemont, which also owns a number of other prominent brands such as A. Lange & Söhne, Baume & Mercier, Cartier, IWC Schaffhausen, Panerai, Piaget, and Roger Dubuis. The Swiss holding company also previously owned Montegrappa from 2001 to 2005.
Partnership with Valentino Rossi
Jaeger-LeCoultre announced a partnership with seven-time 500cc/MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi in late 2006, and marked the occasion with the Master Compressor Extreme World Chronograph ’46’ (ref. Q176247V). Rossi’s engraved signature and 46 logo make appearances on the case back, with the elapsed seconds indicator on the dial sporting a subtle checkered flag design. The world time bezel featured six time zones represented by MotoGP circuit names, and had a production run of 246 pieces.
Valentino Rossi in 2006. (Photo: Tamas, licensed under CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
The Master Compressor Chronograph ’46’ (ref. 175.84.7V), which was limited to 746 pieces, and the Master Compressor Extreme World Alarm ’46’ were both announced in 2007. The latter was available in two different versions: rose gold (ref. 177.24.4V) in 246 pieces, and titanium (ref. 177.T4.7V) in 946 pieces. Both variants of the World Alarm continued representing multiple time zones with Grand Prix circuits.
Jaeger-LeCoultre also had a partnership with la Biennale di Venezia in 2007, and included Rossi as one of several celebrities to autograph a limited edition “La Monstra” Reverso as part of a fundraiser.
Collaboration with Aston Martin
As an honorable mention in the Formula 1 camp, Jaeger-LeCoultre has also previously collaborated with Aston Martin to release their AMVOX line of watches.
Related Pages
References
https://www.europastar.com/news/1003350098-jaeger-lecoultre-teams-with-motogp-champion.html
https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2023/fine-watches/master-compressor-extreme-world-chronograph-46
https://www.watchprosite.com/jaeger-lecoultre/a-new-extreme-watch-from-a-world-expanding-company-that-wants-to-wake-up-the-race–/2.336912.2154247/
https://www.watchprosite.com/jaeger-lecoultre/report-sihh-2007–jaeger-lecoultre/2.364397.2226682/
https://www.europastar.com/magazine/features/1004085274-the-year-of-the-sports-watch.html
https://www.europastar.com/news/1003633872-jaeger-lecoultre-and-la-biennale.html
https://www.europastar.com/news/1003878790-jaeger-lecoultre-and-valentino-rossi-unite-talent.html
https://www.essential-watches.com/Jaeger-LeCoultre/Master-Compressor/Valentino-Rossi-Limited-Edition