Lex Mak gets up and close with Spacetime an installation by Michael Murphy.
A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
Jaeger-LeCoultre welcomes guests to their popup Café 1931; An elegant and convivial new venue created to coincide with 90 years of the Reverso, a timepiece considered as an icon of Art Deco design. Traveling to Hong Kong starting from 9th - 15th September at Golden Scene Cinema, 1931 Café offers a unique experience to discover the ties between Jaeger-LeCoultre and the World of Cinema, the exhibition tracing the history of Reverso, the art installation by American artist Michael Murphy and the uniquely created pastries by multi-awarded chef Nina Métayer.
Following the success of the exhibition during June in Shanghai this year, the Hong Kong stop of Cafe 1931 is focused around the world of Cinema, which was long been a historically and culturally significant part of the city. What many may not know is that for many decades the Swiss watch manufacturer has been quiet patrons of the Hong Kong film industry, generously donating funds to restore classic Hong Kong films to modern high definition to be enjoyed by all today and to preserve its heritage.
“Timeless Stories since 1931” exhibition takes place at Golden Scene Cinema which has been transformed into the 1931 Café for a week, an exclusive concept created by Jaeger-LeCoultre to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Reverso, a watch that is considered an icon of Art Deco design. Special screenings of restored HK films are available to the public as well as a series of talks that bring together recognised filmmakers and film buffs of the city.
The transformed space is elegant with its streamlined geometry, an overall black and white colour palette adorns the floors and walls with warm lighting throughout Inspired by the Reverso design and Art Deco style from the 1920s. the spirit of modernity of this period is captured in all elegance at the exhibition, Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea with Art Deco-inspired tableware with cakes and pastries created by young and renowned French Chef Nina Métayer, which have been meticulously prepared with the same fine attention as Jaeger-LeCoultre’s timepieces, an assortment of petit fours from the team at Grand Hyatt completes the menu. The Art Deco-inspired bar also is perfect for a pre-film drink or even one afterward.
HOROLOGY & INNOVATION
Now back to the horological aspect of this Exhibition. the exceptional setting features a special display of rare and heritage Reverso timepieces dating from the 1930’s direct from the recently completed heritage museum/archive in Vallée de Joux. Notable pieces that I spotted included. The very first men’s Reverso model under Jaeger, as well as the first female Reverso timepiece, various enamel dial Reversos, a rarely seen openworked Reverso Chronograph, a minute repeater Reverso, a Reverso Tourbillion (wow!), and of course the most complicated Reverso to date Hybris Mechanica Calibre 185 Quadriptyque that was announced earlier this year at Watches and Wonders. . (I will save this for its own in-depth post in the future.). It was a pleasure to see Luke Hayward, watchmaker at Jaeger-LeCoultre again to talk shop and discuss the above watches in more detail, I had the honor to undertake a Masterclass with Luke a few years back with the manufacturer.
SPACETIME ART INSTALLATION BY MICHAEL MURPHY
Spacetime, an installation by American artist Michael Murphy; was indeed the crescendo in the orchestra of this exhibition celebrating 90 years of Reverso. The art piece is an illusion of the many flat components that make up the Reverso Tribute Nonantième in a three-dimensional space. I had the pleasure to view this limited timepiece in person at the boutique earlier this year that features one of my favorite watch complications; The jumping hour.
Murphy’s installation was dramatically suspended from the ceiling and occupied an entire darkroom on its own. the space was designed to invite guests to walk around the scaled reference to enjoy the intricacies of all the components that make up a Duo face Reverso. The exploded axonometric includes its case as well as the Cal. 826 movement; it tells the story about the watch and how it works in the most elegant and spectacular manner; a nod to Jaeger Le-Coultre.
After the popup 1931 Café and Exhibition depart in Hong Kong; its global tour will conclude in Paris at the end of the year.- the birthplace of the Art Deco movement which was the very inspiration to this horological classic; The Reverso.
Enjoy the story of manufacture, icon, style and design, innovation, and craftsmanship at “Timeless Stories since 1931” Exhibition & Café 1931.
9-15th September, 2021
Golden Scene Cinema, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong
jaeger-lecoultre.com
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dress well, drink well. live well
L.M
