In an ambitious new collaboration, Jaeger-LeCoultre has partnered with celebrated French perfumer Nicolas Bonneville to unveil three exclusive fragrances as part of its “Made of Makers” program, an initiative that brings together artistry and craftsmanship across disciplines. 

Nicolas Bonneville is hailed as one of the most innovative perfumers of his generation, whose fragrances are celebrated for their use of rare essences and age-old natural ingredients. For Jaeger-LeCoultre, he developed three distinctive fragrances: “The Timeless Stories”, “The Celestial Odyssey”, and “The Precision Pioneer”, each inspired by a facet of the Maison’s legacy.

Three original fragrances for Jaeger-LeCoultre

“The Timeless Stories” draws inspiration from the iconic Reverso watch, combining woody and leathery notes that evoke the smell of leather saddles and freshly cut grass. Violet Leaves, Orris, and Leather Accord create a scent that balances resilience with refinement, mirroring the Reverso’s dual nature.

“The Celestial Odyssey” celebrates celestial bodies with ambery and spicy notes. Patchouli, Amber Woods, and Vanilla meld into a fragrance reminiscent of moonlit skies, paying homage to the stars that historically guided navigators — a poetic nod to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s mastery in horological astronomy.

“The Precision Pioneer” captures the spirit of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Manufacture with incense and wood notes. Warm incense symbolizes the intense fires of the blacksmith’s forge, while Vibrant Wood recreates the smell of the watchmaker’s workbench, resulting in a fragrance that embodies craftsmanship and legacy.

Bonneville’s journey began in France, where he was born and raised. At just 12 years old, a visit to Grasse, the heart of French perfumery, ignited a passion for scents that would shape his future. Inspired by the experience, he embarked on a self-taught journey, conducting experiments at home to refine his innate talent. His dedication and skill caught the attention of renowned perfumers Jacques Maurel and Francis Kurkdjian, who mentored him in the early stages of his career.

“In perfumery, just as in painting, maintaining the purity of blends is essential,” Bonneville explains. “Similarly, when creating perfumes, it’s crucial to dose raw materials carefully to preserve their unique olfactory character without excessive dilution. The principle of ‘less is more’ ensures that your fragrance retains its clarity and depth; you achieve a unique scent with real character and distinction.”

The three fragrances crafted by Nicolas Bonneville will be offered as a special treatment to clients and will be used in a variety of other initiatives in the future.

The “Made of Makers” program

The “Made of Makers” program unites artists and creators who resonate with Jaeger-LeCoultre’s values of innovation, tradition, and expertise. The program fosters cross-disciplinary collaborations that reimagine classical art forms, positioning them as dynamic forces of creativity today. 

To date, the Made of Makers community has embraced the worlds of contemporary art, gastronomy and music – with artists including Zimoun (Switzerland), Michael Murphy (USA), Guillaume Marmin (France), lettering artist Alex Trochut (Spain/USA), pastry chef Nina Métayer (France), mixologist Matthias Giroud (France), digital media artist Yiyun Kang (Korea), musician TØKIO M¥ERS (UK), multi-media artist Brendi Wedinger (USA), Chef Himanshu Saini (India) and street light-painter Roy Wang (China). This new collaboration with Nicolas Bonneville (France) adds perfumery to the Made of Makers portfolio.