Jaeger-LeCoultre Unveils Its Olfactory Signatures in Collaboration with French Perfumer Nicolas Bonneville

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 elements possess the evocative power of aroma. A little inhalation can evoke recollections and elicit feelings. Inspired by a profound appreciation of beauty, Jaeger-LeCoultre unveils its new Olfactory Signatures artistic cooperation as a distinctive manifestation of its refined elegance and workmanship. This initiative highlights Jaeger-LeCoultre’s inventive essence by merging scent and watchmaking 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 epicenter of Grasse. A spark ignited his enthusiasm for perfumery, which he further cultivated through self-directed experimentation and later, guidance from industry luminaries such as Francis Kurkdjian. His imaginative vision 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 names like mixologist Matthias Giroud, singer TØKIO M¥ERS, and street light-painter Roy Wang, it illustrates tradition as a dynamic and growing source of inspiration.

Much like Jaeger-LeCoultre's insistence on complexity, ingenuity, and a harmonious integration of tradition and innovation in horology, Bonneville's creative representative embodies 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 distinctive fragrances, each drawing inspiration from its illustrious legacy. The Timeless Stories, influenced 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 essence, encapsulating the duality of the Reverso. The leather accord at the base further amplifies the fragrance's lasting quality.

The Celestial Odyssey is an amber and savory homage to the moon, sun, and stars that have inspired watchmakers for generations. The fragrance combines patchouli, amber woods, and vanilla in its top, middle, and base notes, respectively. Bonneville utilizes a sophisticated waterless CO2 extraction technique known as Superfluid Critical Extraction, which maintains the subtle aromatic qualities of vanilla, rather than employing a conventional extraction method. This last fragrance pays tribute to the painstaking craftsmanship of Jaeger-LeCoultre, 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.

This relationship allows Jaeger-LeCoultre to redefine craftsmanship by intricately merging the realms of fragrance and watchmaking with exceptional skill. Bonneville’s compositions function as both olfactory masterpieces and an homage to the Maison’s lasting tradition, eternal accuracy, and creative growth.