3 Reasons You Need this $28,000 Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos 568 Clock by Marc Newson

Atmos 568 by Marc Newson crafted in a Baccarat crystal cabinet

seventh clock co-designed by Jaeger-LeCoultre and famed designer Marc Newson over an eight-year period that started in 2008. More importantly, the clock itself is supremely special: it is powered by air – or, more precisely, by changes in temperature in the air. Finally, this all-new version features a cabinet designed by Newson but built of Baccarat crystal.

The Atmos was first invented in 1928, and for a long time was the gift of choice to many a president and politician by Jaeger-LeCoultre. The legendary clock is constantly moving and is powered by a change in air temperature. Just one degree of change—up or down – powers the watch for about two days. The concept stems from a mix of gases that are hermetically sealed inside a capsule and that expand or contract with the temperature change. They are linked to bellows of an accordion-shaped device and as the bellows swell or reduce in side, the change powers the watch.

Generally Atmos clocks are traditional in looks – offering complexities such as astronomical indications or other special functions. This clock is a perpetual calendar with moonphase indication. While Newson could change very little about the actual movement of the watch, he did ask for a redesign of certain parts that would make the movement more visually in keeping with his design concept. Those parts include a reshaping of the membrane bridge into a cross shape that better showcases the bellows, and a newly designed balance wheel with shiny and matte surfaces.

It is in the overall case of the watch that Newson’s distinctive style speaks through. Minimalism is achieved via a crystal cube-shaped case with rounded corners that enables as much light to shine on the clock as possible. Additionally, the clock dial is transparent and Newson has opted to adorn it with transferred blue numerals, minute track and lettering for optimal appeal.

These three main features — uniqueness of the clock’s power system, Marc Newson design, and Baccarat crystal cabinet – are reason enough to mark you mantle with the $28,000 beauty.