In the intricate dance of human senses, few things wield the evocative power like a scent does. A simple whiff can bring back memories and stir up emotions. Winged by this deep realisation of beauty, Jaeger-LeCoultre launches its new Olfactory Signatures artistic collaboration as an alternate expression of its sophisticated elegance and craftsmanship. This venture underscores Jaeger-LeCoultre’s innovative spirit as perfumery and watchmaking are brought together to resonate on both sensory and emotional levels.

At the heart of this new creative venture is French perfumer Nicolas Bonneville, renowned for his mastery of blending tradition with innovation. Like most revered perfumers, Bonneville’s journey began in the perfumery capital of Grasse. A spark ignited his passion in perfume making, which he then nurtured through self-taught experimentation and later, mentorship from industry legends like Francis Kurkdjian. His creative vision and understanding of sensory perceptions make him an ideal collaborator under Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Made of Makers program. The initiative extends the dialogue between watchmaking and other creative disciplines and gathers global talents to reimagine art forms. With names such as mixologist Matthias Giroud, musician TØKIO M¥ERS and street light-painter Roy Wang under the creative umbrella, it showcases tradition as an ever-evolving, and not static, source of inspiration.

Just as Jaeger-LeCoultre demands intricacy, creativity, and a harmonious balance of tradition and innovation in watchmaking, Bonneville’s creative exponent mirrors a similar philosophy. Above all, precision is one of the fundamental cornerstones of both disciplines. A watchmaker meticulously assembles components to ensure flawless functionality, while a perfumer balances ingredients to achieve olfactory clarity and depth.

Bonneville’s creations for Jaeger-LeCoultre encapsulate the essence of the maison through three unique fragrances, each taking a leaf from its rich heritage. The Timeless Stories, inspired by the legendary Reverso watch, combines woody and leathery notes, evoking the rugged elegance of polo matches. The freshness of violet leaves reflects the trimmed polo pastures, while orris adds a refined and resilient heart, embodying the Reverso’s duality. Leather accord at its base further enhances the fragrance’s enduring character.

The Celestial Odyssey is an ambery and spicy tribute to the moon, the sun and the stars, that have inspired watchmakers for centuries. The scent intertwines a heart of patchouli, amber woods, and vanilla in its top, middle and base layers respectively. Instead of a traditional extraction, Bonneville employs a waterless high-tech CO2 extraction method called Superfluid Critical Extraction that preserves the vanilla’s delicate olfactory properties. This last fragrance honours the meticulous artistry of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s manufacture with incense representing the maison’s origins through the intense heat of the blacksmith’s fire. It is further magnified by a tailored blend of cedar, guaiac, and oud as a nod to the watchmaker’s bench.

Through this collaboration, Jaeger-LeCoultre once again redefines the boundaries of artistry, weaving together the worlds of scent and horology with unparalleled finesse. Bonneville’s creations serve not just as olfactory masterpieces but as a tribute to the Maison’s enduring legacy, timeless precision and creative evolution.

This article was first seen on Men’s Folio Singapore.

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