So, I have always been into watches and clocks, not just for telling time but for the art of it, you know? Recently, I got this idea to make a replica of the Jaeger-LeCoultre JLC Atmos Marqueterie. Yeah, it sounds fancy, and it kind of is, but trust me, it’s a fun project.
Getting Started
First off, I did some digging around about these Atmos clocks. They’re pretty cool – mechanical clocks that don’t need winding. JLC still makes them, and they’re expensive, like $6000 to $8000 new. I definitely wasn’t going to buy one, so I started looking for info on replicas. I found out that Atmos clocks made in the 50s and 60s, the ones with serial numbers between 25,000 and 300,000, are common and usually go for about $800 to $1000. That’s more reasonable, but I wanted to make my own.
Gathering Information
I stumbled upon some info about a limited edition Atmos Marqueterie Paille, only 28 made. It looked amazing. I also learned that the real deal uses wood marquetry and yellow sapphires. And there’s this guy, Jrme Boutteon, a master inlayer, who has a container of this clock in his private collection. I mean, the craftsmanship is insane.
Planning the Project
Okay, so I decided to imitate this clock. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I was up for the challenge. I needed to find materials that looked like the original but wouldn’t break the bank. For the wood, I went to a local craft store. They had some nice veneers that I thought would work well. I also found some yellow stones that looked like sapphires but were way cheaper. I’m not trying to pass this off as the real thing, but I wanted it to look good.
Building the Clock
Building the clock case was the first big step. I measured out the wood pieces and started cutting. This part took a while because I wanted everything to fit perfectly. Once I had the basic shape, I started inlaying the wood veneers. It was tricky, but after a few tries, I got the hang of it. Then, I added the yellow stones. They looked pretty good and gave the clock that fancy touch.
The Clock Mechanism
Now, for the actual clock mechanism, I found an old Atmos clock at a flea market. It was from the 50s or 60s, so it was perfect. I took it apart, cleaned everything, and put it back together. It was a bit of a learning curve, but I managed to get it working. I then carefully installed it into my new clock case.
Final Touches
After getting the mechanism in place, I added some finishing touches to the case. I polished the wood and made sure everything looked neat. It took a few more days, but finally, my Jaeger-LeCoultre JLC Atmos Marqueterie replica was done.
Admiring the Work
I have to say, it turned out pretty awesome. It’s not the real deal, but it’s a great conversation piece. Plus, I learned a lot about clockmaking and woodworking. It’s sitting on my shelf now, ticking away. Every time I look at it, I’m reminded of the work I put in and how cool it is to make something with your own hands. And it’s a neat way to have a piece of that fancy watch world without spending a fortune.
- Started with research on Atmos clocks.
- Gathered info on the Marqueterie Paille edition.
- Planned the project with affordable materials.
- Built the clock case and inlaid wood veneers.
- Used an old Atmos mechanism from a flea market find.
- Added final touches and admired the finished product.
So yeah, that’s my story of making a replica Jaeger-LeCoultre JLC Atmos Marqueterie. It was a fun ride, and I’m pretty proud of how it turned out. If you’re into this kind of stuff, I’d say give it a go. It’s a great way to learn new skills and end up with something really cool.
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