As a Maison, it’s Important for Us to Understand the Collaborative Nature of Design: Lionel Favre of Jaeger-LeCoultre

Jaeger-LeCoultre has always stood out for its unique design language and a steadfast commitment to celebrating its rich craftsmanship and heritage, and for embracing innovation in a manner that pays homage to its storied legacy.

‍GMT India recently caught up with Lionel Favre, the brand’s Product Design Director. He spoke to us about what goes into shaping the design sensibilities of a brand as iconic as Jaeger-LeCoultre, how he was introduced to the world of watches, and more. Our current issue, Summer 2024, features another special interview with him where he dives deep into the Maison’s Watches and Wonders launches, and what makes them special. To check it out, pick up a copy now.

Edited excerpts from the interview:

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‍GMT India: Jaeger-LeCoultre’s design easily distinguishes itself from other brands. What do you believe makes it so special?

Lionel Favre (FL): It is very crucial for us to involve all the skills of the Maison when we take up a new project. We draw from our rich history of over 200 years and all the craftsmanship heritage from over the decades. We like to highlight our skills, our metiers, our rare crafts, while staying true to our brand spirit. As a Maison, it is important for us to understand the collaborative nature of the design and how it can find visibility in our watches. We highly value tradition as well, so we strive to communicate that via our designs as well.

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GMT India: You’ve been with Jaeger-LeCoultre since 2017. What would you count as your biggest milestones? Among all the brand’s novelties, which one would you say you are most emotionally attached to?

‍LF: Honestly, I believe I have been very lucky to have been working with a Maison like Jaeger-LeCoultre. So many other brands are focused on a handful of products, while we make a wide variety of timepieces such as high jewellery 101 collection and design objects like the Atmos, and of course, we have the Reverso as well. The Reverso is so deeply linked to the brand and has such a rich history, it takes up a special place in my heart as well.

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GMT India: All Watches and Wonders launches stayed true to Precision as a theme. Could you tell us more about how that theme was arrived at?

‍LF: Our connection with precision dates back to the earliest days of the Maison when in 1844, founder Antoine LeCoultre invented the Millionometre whose mechanism was based on high accuracy and precision. Over the years, we have banked on precision to create all our timepieces. Precision is, in fact, in the DNA of Jaeger-LeCoultre. I would say it’s linked to the soul of the watch. This year’s Duometre novelties’ display and mechanics are both founded on that same concept of precision. Everything pointed towards precision, so it seemed like the right theme to focus on.

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GMT India: Tell us a little bit about your journey into the world of watches. Were you always fascinated by them?

‍LF: My grandfather had a little shop in a small village in the middle of France. When I was young, I spent a lot of time there, shadowing him. It’s how I became fascinated with watches. Years later, I chose to study high jewellery and started to design jewellery in Paris for various brands. Yet, I remained intrigued by watches, and eventually learnt the ropes of watchmaking and made the move from jewellery to timepieces.

GMT India: In your experience of product design, what do you believe are some of the biggest challenges faced?

LF: While the initial idea and its originality are crucial in designing a new product, one must not forget about the importance of proportions. You need to keep in mind the purity and simplicity of the beauty of the product that will help you design better. I also believe that you need to make use of the past, and its rich history and watchmaking tradition in order to take your vision ahead into the future.