Two years ago, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Atmos, Australian designer Marc Newson was given Carte Blanche to redesign the famous clock. Surrounded by a baccarat crystal bubble, the pure, contemporary curves of the ‘Atmos 561’ by Marc Newson commanded immediate attention. This year, the artist wished to renew his cooperation with Jaeger-Lecoultre. Entranced by the magic of complex horological mechanisms, he has chosen to lend a new face to ‘Calibre 566’ which was featured in the Atmos Astronomique presented in 2008.
Two versions (a limited series of 28 in blue and another 48-piece translucent edition) showcase a cross between contemporary art and fine craftsmanship, and between technology and aesthetics. The generously proportioned cabinet allows light to flood in
and illuminate the complicated mechanism. The hours and minutes rub shoulders with the sky chart of the northern hemisphere, with the cardinal points and zodiac. The months are displayed on a rotating disc at 6 o’clock along with the equation of time.
Recently Ikepod has teamed up with Marc Newson to make this time measuring sculpture in borosilicated glass (3mm thickness). It’s filled with low carbon, or nickel plated nanoballs, and is a timer for 60 minutes (weight 6.7 kg / size 265 mm x 300 mm).
