Jaeger Le-Coultre is going above and beyond the stars to showcase its latest novelties with a new exhibition set to take place in the sunny heart of Dubai. Titled ‘The Stellar Odyssey’, the exhibition pays homage to the astronomical phenomena (i.e. sun, moon, stars) that lie at the origins of time measurement and will open the doors to watch enthusiasts and the general public alike to discover how the mysteries of the cosmos are translated into micro-mechanical wonders that capture the universe in miniature, in order to tell the time.
Shedding the light on time measurement, the exhibit will cover everything from sundials to chronometers and celestial navigation — charting the position of the stars and the moon — as well as exploring how, once the mechanics of telling time were miniaturized into wristwatches, the sun and the stars were brought back in as decorative and philosophical elements.
“It is an important part of our mission at Jaeger-LeCoultre to share the secrets behind the art and craft of watchmaking with the wider world by bringing our Manufacture from the Vallée de Joux to the public around the globe,” says Catherine Rénier, CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre. “The ancient cultures of the Middle East played a seminal role in the origins of time measurement, and we are therefore delighted that Dubai is where the world tour of The Stellar Odyssey makes its debut. It is a special opportunity to trace the unbroken line through several millennia to the exceptional legacy of innovation that has driven our Maison for 190 years and the work that we do today.”
Revealing the mysteries of astronomical timekeeping in eight chapters, The Stellar Odyssey kicks off with an exploration of the creative and cultural universe of astronomically-inspired watchmaking by revealing the very origins of time, the impact of celestial phenomena on the way we measure it, and the origins of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s expertise in developing astronomical complications.
The five following chapters continue to enrich the stellar experience and will lead visitors through a different cosmic phenomenon. Visitors will be able to see the display of rare historic watches, as well as timepieces from the most recent collections to illustrate how the Manufacture has continually reinterpreted the movements of the stars and planets in the form of intricate complications that represent, measure and even predict celestial events directly on the wrist.
In addition to the actual exhibition, Jaeger-LeCoultre will reveal two special collaborations under its Made of Makers programme which will see commissioned projects by French multi-media artist Guillaume Marmin and world-renowned mixologist Matthias Giroud.
To end your experience, you’ll be able to complete your journey of astral discovery by joining a hands-on Discovery Workshop that focuses on the wonder of astronomical complications and the celestial origins of time-keeping – a rare opportunity to gain deep insight and practical experience of this magical world.
The Stellar Odyssey will be presented from February 4 – 23 at the Dubai Fountain, Downtown Dubai, open daily from 2:00pm to 12.00 am. Tickets may be booked online here.
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