Atmos Fontainebleu Clock from Jaeger Lecoultre, 1986

Jaeger LeCoultre - Atmos Fontainebleu

Switzerland
Year of construction 1986

Dimensions: H x W x D: 25 x 20 x 16 cm

:
Atmos calibre 540 in the rare "Fontainebleu" version in a wooden case.
Square ring dial with rounded corners. Roman numerals for hours, fine minute track, Breguet hands with counterweights.
"SWISS MADE" is printed below the 6. A manufacturer's engraving and the calibre number can be found on the front movement plate. A "Jaeger LeCoultre" imprint can be seen at the bottom right of the front disc.

The Atmos Fontainebleu was listed in the collection from 1987. It was available in various versions - with a square or round dial, with a moon phase, with a black lacquered or mahogany case.

Although the clock offered here dates from 1986, it was only listed in the 1987 and 1988 catalogues.

Ref. 220.030.4
Serial number: 620514
Year of manufacture: 1986.

Condition:
Freshly overhauled, very good condition of the movement. Flawless case condition.

Interesting facts:
Generations of inventors have endeavoured to construct a perpetual motion machine - and one after the other was disappointed to discover that their designs did not work. Today we know that it is technically impossible to build a machine that works continuously without consuming energy. Apart from wear and tear, a machine only works as long as it is supplied with energy: Electricity, gas, petrol...

Without human intervention and practically without wear and tear, the Atmos does not run without energy consumption, but it is fed by an energy source that can be described as "eternal": It draws its energy from the constant fluctuations in air temperature. The Atmos literally lives from the air.
In order to utilise the temperature fluctuations as an energy source, a suitable medium had to be found. The choice fell on ethyl chloride (C2H5Cl) - a substance that dentists know as an anaesthetic. Ethyl chloride has a very high coefficient of thermal expansion between 10 and 27°C, i.e. the volume change is particularly large in this temperature range.
The round can, which can be seen on the back of the watch, contains a bellows-like expansion chamber. Like an accordion, it moves with temperature fluctuations and compresses a spiral spring. The force is transferred to the mainspring barrel of the movement via a small chain (shown in one of the photos).
A temperature fluctuation of approx. 1°C provides the drive energy for around 48 hours.

[Source: Jaeger LeCoultre - Product leaflet]

You can find out more about the Atmos Fontainebleu in the specialist literature:
Jean Lebet - Living on Air p. 80