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Portrait of Frédéric Jouvenot
To pay tribute to the watchmaking tradition some people prefer to take the codes up, dotting their direct models with allusions to the great inventions. There are others for whom the invention, creation and thus new input is essential, Frederic Jouvenot is one of them.
Born in 1977 the young French/Swiss watchmaker first made known his name and his brand through the A.C.E model, this automatic chronograph distances itself totally from its predecessors by the presence of the oscillating mass directly on the dial of the watch to preserve at the back side a chronograph integrated well known by the collectors with an vintage architecture. We might think that creativity stop here or at least would decline to other models, it has been quite different.
The talented watchmaker drove the nail with the Helios, inspired by the race of the first time indicator: the sun. In this concept we forget the hands, the minutes being indicated by a disk and the hours by the rotation of cones. It becomes then inconceivable for us not to question the young man about his intentions and his inventions.
TendanceHorlogerie: First of all, explain to us why having choose the watch-making field?
Frédéric Jouvenot: It has been now ten years since I am in the field of watchmaking and more exactly in the field of great complications , ten years during which I have done a lot of development for diverse houses, from tourbillons to GMT. But before that, I made studies and have a two years experience in the field of micro techniques, that gave me a big experience and a real ease with industrial tools. Following this two years, watchmaking has opened its doors I rushed into it.
TendanceHorlogerie : What were the main inspirations for your models?
Frédéric Jouvenot: What I like, above all in the development, is to lead to smart creation, which combines both technique and design. When these two characteristics are present, the result can only be exceptional. My research cluster has access to this approach. two characteristics are present, the result can only be exceptional. My research center is acces on this approach of innovation with before all a great reflection for any departure of projects.
TendanceHorlogerie: How would you then define the modern watch-making?
Frédéric Jouvenot: It is difficult to give a short definition, but in few words we could classified it in two categories. There is a traditional watchmaking, of large volume for the general public with a rate in adequacy with the conception and a watchmaking for those who look for a little more ingenuity and technique in their timekeeper. The Price is obviously not the same.
TendanceHorlogerie: How did you get the idea of your last model?
Frédéric Jouvenot: It was exactly the last summer, during a stay in Greece. It is a country where patterns depicting the sun are very present. The Sun’s god Helios is very respected by the Greeks. While seeing these pictures patterns the idea of twelve sunbeams representing the hours came to me.
TendanceHorlogerie: Is it a model aside from your future collection or on the contrary are you going to decline it under new forms?
Frédéric Jouvenot: I developed two bases that will enhance my collection as one goes along. Whether the chronograph concept with the oscillating mass on the side dial or Helios and it’s unusual display. These are two axes that I want to develop in my future creations.
TendanceHorlogerie: What about your distribution?
Frédéric Jouvenot: It will depend on the different markets. Whether through distributors, or directly through retailers. I am open-minded about this. It is true that since the release of the Helios, many retailers and distributors have contacted me.
TendanceHorlogerie: Finally, what was the most significant fact in developing the Helios?
Frédéric Jouvenot: It was the complication itself and the technical challenge it imposed. First, by its unusual nature, we are dealing not only with jumping hours but they are also rotating at 180°. Then by the position of the heart of the complication, where everything takes place in a very small space in the center of the sunbeams, there more than 100 pieces meet.
