Jaeger-leCoultre Atmos Classique User Manual

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tmos lAssique
Introduction
We congratulate you on the purchase of your Atmos clock
and thank you for your confidence.
With no battery, electric current or winding, the Atmos clock
has been living on air since 1928. Radiating serenity and
pure design, it invites you to scrutinize the workings of its
gear-trains to try and discover their secret. Its glass cabinet
highlights the sheer genius of its mechanism.
We invite you to consult the operating instructions and we
wish you great pleasure with your Jaeger-LeCoultre clock.
A virtually perpetual movement
Leonardo da Vinci had already demonstrated that perpe-
tual motion was not feasible – if only because of the laws
of physics. But it would have taken more to discourage the
researchers. These researchers included the Neuchâtel engi-
neer Jean-Léon Reutter who, in 1928, designed a comple-
tely revolutionary clock drawing its power from variations in
the ambient temperature. It took yet a few more years of
research by our watchmaking firm to transpose this idea into
technical reality and patent it.The result came astoundingly
close to perpetual motion : the Atmos clock was born.
Its principle is amazingly simple. In a hermetically closed cap-
sule is a gaseous mixture which expands when the tempera-
ture rises and contracts when it falls. Connected to the driving
spring, the capsule swells like the bellows of an accordion
and winds the clock movement up constantly. Between 15
and 30 degrees Celsius, a temperature fluctuation of a single
degree is enough to ensure an operating autonomy of about
two days.
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tmos lAssique
1. Expansion chamber
2. Brass cover
3. Balance spring (counterweight)
4. Small chain
5. Mainspring
6. Pulley
* The Elinvar® brand does not belong to Jaeger-LeCoultre.
The Atmos clock is designed so that no excessive resis-
tance opposes this minimum power.The Atmos balance
wheel oscillates slowly, its lung breathing in perfect harmony
with temperaturevariationsanditsheartbeatingquietlytwicea
minute,i.e. 60 times less quickly than that of a traditional clock,
240 times less quickly than a wristwatch movement and
1,966,000 times less quickly than a quartz watch movement.
To get an idea of the delicacy of this minute energy transfer,
consider the fact that 60 million Atmos clocks together would
consume no more energy than a weak 15-watt electric light
bulb.
All the components of the Atmos clock are incredibly pre-
cise and dependable, so that it operates virtually without any
wear. It is therefore distinguished by its long service life which
-theoretically -can be as long as 600 years. Because of the
current state of air pollution, however, regular checking and
service are recommended.
The Atmos clock reconciles lovers of technical performance
and those for whom sobriety of shape or feats of crafts-
manship are the predominant factors. In this respect, nothing
has changed. No Atmos clock can escape the five weeks of
checking and final adjustments which complete the work of
the Jaeger-LeCoultre master-watchmakers.
A unique gem of horological technology, the Atmos clock is
a timekeeper of distinction for Heads of State and numerous
sovereigns, because in this country unique in the world for
the perfection of its watches, it is a tradition to offer guests
of honour this Swiss horological masterpiece. This has been
the case for decades now, and the eminent recipients include
J.F. Kennedy,Winston Churchill,General de Gaulle and Charlie
Chaplin.
7. Return spring
8. Balance wheel
9. Elinvar® wire*
10. Escapement
11. Winding spring
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