Jaeger-LeCoultre to Conquer the Himalayas
Written by James Matthews
Under the patronage of the Grande Maison in the Vallée de Joux, a team of three seasoned mountaineers, headed by the Swiss guide Stéphane Schaffter, is on-site in Nepal and currently gearing up to take up an extreme challenge: the ascension of a mountain in the Himalayas that has never yet been trod by human feet. Three exceptional timepieces made by the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre will be part of the adventure, starting with the famous 1958 Geophysic Chronometer; along with the Master Compressor Extreme Lab which became an instant watch industry sensation when introduced in 2007. A third new extreme creation being prepared in the Manufacture workshops in the Vallée de Joux will also be making the trip.
In a world where it sometimes seems everything has already been discovered, conquering a virgin summit is an endeavour comparable to the famous expeditions undertaken in the mid- 20th century with the aim of conquering the world’s greatest peaks one after the other. Seeking to repeat such an accomplishment in the farthest reaches of the Himalaya half a century later meant putting together a team of climbers with decades of experience behind them and well acquainted with the grandeur, beauty and unpredictable nature of the mountains. Stéphane Schaffter, a Swiss alpinist who has scaled the fabled Bonatti Pillar, will be accompanied by Apa Sherpa, who has 19 ascensions of Everest under his belt; as well as Little Karim, who has accompanied many great sportsmen in their over 8,000-metre high-altitude expeditions.
All three men, who have displayed an indomitable spirit of adventure throughout their lives and know that limits are there to be surpassed, have naturally chosen Jaeger-LeCoultre watches as the timekeeping instruments in their daring undertaking. As brand connoisseurs will have probably guessed, the fabled Master Compressor Extreme Lab will naturally be part of the action. This avant-garde timepiece heralds the future of watchmaking, since it operates without any oil or other lubricant. Revolutionary geometry, cutting-edge technical advancements and the use of high-tech materials enable it to withstand extreme conditions such as those prevailing at high altitudes, in order to maintain its remarkable precision at temperatures ranging between – 40°C to °60°C. For a watch developed with genuine passion by a dedicated Jaeger-LeCoultre research unit, the time for real-life adventure has come.
These three exceptional individuals, whose character has been honed by courage and peerless tenacity, have travelled to Nepal to embark upon an adventure that is particularly rare these days: the conquest of a peak never yet climbed. Their Jaeger-LeCoultre timepieces, all “super sherpas” in their own right, will accompany them throughout their ascension, constantly reminding them of the pioneering role played by the Manufacture in the Vallée de Joux in constantly pushing back the limits of precision while keeping pace with daring technical accomplishments.
This post was written by James Matthews. If you have any questions or comments you may contact him at james@jewelerslounge.com
