Swiss Atmos Royale Clock by Jaeger LeCoultre, 1980

Jaeger LeCoultre - Atmos Royale Ref. 5855

Switzerland
Gold-plated and lacquered brass
Year of manufacture 1980

Dimensions: H x W x D: 28 x 22 x 16 cm

Atmos Royale Ref. 5855 in a glazed case with burgundy lacquered head and base. Circular cut and gold-plated dial ring with black Roman numerals.
The freely visible movement is engraved on the front of the plate: Fifteen Jewels - Jaeger LeCoultre - Atmos - Swiss.
There is a further Swiss Made imprint below the VI, and another manufacturer's logo at the bottom right of the front door.

Serial number: 526922
Year of manufacture: 1980

The Atmos Royale was produced in three series.
The first models - with fronts designed in the shape of sunbeams - were offered from 1969.
from 1977, this model series was replaced by the second "Royale" generation, to which the clock offered here belongs. Equipped with the 526 calibre, the clock was produced in four different versions. In addition to the glazed and therefore fully visible model offered here, there were also three all-round lacquered watches in different colour variations and with Japanese lacquer decoration.
from 1984, the third model series was launched and equipped with the new calibre 540.

Interesting facts:
In 1927, the young engineer Jean-Léon Reutter presented the prototype of the Atmos clock he had developed.
The response in the press was great and so he signed a contract with the Compagnie générale de radiologie, which built and sold the "Atmos I" from 1930 under Reutter's direction.
As there were repeated problems with the clocks, the movements were manufactured by Le Coultre et Ciein Switzerland from 1933 and in 1935 the production rights for the Atmos clock were transferred to Ets. Ed. Jaeger in 1935.
They focussed on developing a simpler and more robust motor and from 1938 the era of the Atmos from Jaeger-LeCoultre began .

The "clock that lives on air" utilises the "breathing movements" of a gas-filled bellows caused by temperature fluctuations to wind the movement.
The movement of the clock stands out due to its cylindrical box on the back. It contains a bellows-shaped expansion chamber filled with chloroethyl, a gas that expands particularly strongly between 10 °C and 27 °C.
A temperature difference of just one degree Celsius winds the watch for 48 hours. This interesting winding mechanism is complemented by an exquisite movement of extreme precision with a heavy torsion pendulum (rotating pendulum).
The condition for the accuracy of the clock is a stable and vibration-free installation.

Condition:
Beautiful, authentic case condition with slight traces of cleaning and wear commensurate with age. The movement is absolutely accurate and reliable.