‘Valley of Inventions’ is Jaeger-LeCoultre’s theme at Watches and Wonders 2026. Keeping alive the spirit of invention, the Manufacture introduced state-of-the-art complications and outstanding Métiers Rares™ timepieces.
This year, Jaeger-LeCoultre pays tribute to its home in the Vallée de Joux—the birthplace of the inventive spirit that continues to drive the Maison to this day. Immersive experiences at the booth showcase the ambience of the valley and the fascinating story of inventions that brought renown to the Maison as the ‘Watchmaker of Watchmakers™’.
The Vallée de Joux was an isolated valley 600 years ago. Life followed a strict seasonal rhythm: in summer, the Vallée de Joux revolved around alpine farming and dairy production; in winter, when harsh conditions brought agriculture to a standstill, farmers turned to metalworking within their chalets. Necessity fostered ingenuity. Patience and precision led them to craft increasingly intricate objects—a path that would ultimately give rise to watchmaking.
The booth guides visitors through stories from the Valley, the birth of local watchmaking, and the history of the manufacture—from the first LeCoultre watchmaking atelier in 1833. With more than 430 patents to date, this legacy of invention continues to guide the Grand Maison’s pursuit of precision, today and into the future.
Made of Makers
The ‘Made of Makers‘ programme of Jaeger-LeCoultre brings together a community of world-class artists to create profound creative expressions through artistic work, be it contemporary art, digital art, gastronomy, music, or perfumery.
At Watches and Wonders 2026, we admired the culinary creations of Gilles Varone. He is a Swiss chef known for his sustainable, locally sourced cuisine at his eponymous restaurant in Savièse, Valais. He gained experience working with renowned chefs Anton Mosimann, Gordon Ramsay, and Claude Bosi in London. He returned to Switzerland and opened his restaurant in 2022. He and his team were awarded the prize for Best Young Swiss Chef 2024 and earned their second Michelin star in 2025.
Taking on a gastronomic challenge centred on cheese, the two-Michelin-star chef has devised four bites that elevate the most classical Swiss ingredient to new heights. A cornerstone of culinary heritage, cheese stands as one of gastronomy’s most expressive and divisive ingredients. Complemented by beverages specially created to enhance the tasting experience, the four bites reinvent the traditional concept of a cheeseboard, showcasing Gilles Varone’s reverence for natural ingredients through subtle flavour harmonies, unconventional textures, and visually refined presentations.
Discover the latest timepieces from Jaeger-LeCoultre here and here.
Photo credits: Jaeger-LeCoultre. Loupiosity.com
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