Watch museums
Jaeger-LeCoultre Manufacture and Atelier d'Antoine in Le Sentier
Jaeger-LeCoultre has been based in Le Sentier in the Vallée de Joux since Antoine LeCoultre set up his workshop there in the 1830s. Under the name Atelier d'Antoine, launched in 2020, the manufacture offers guided visits and hands-on watchmaking experiences for the public.
- Location
- Le Sentier, Switzerland
- Address
- Rue de la Golisse 8, 1347 Le Sentier
- Opened
- 2020
- Type
- Manufacture visit
History of the manufacture
Jaeger-LeCoultre traces its origins to 1833, when Antoine LeCoultre founded a small workshop in Le Sentier, in the Vallée de Joux in the canton of Vaud. In 1844 he invented the Millionometer, an instrument able to measure the micron, which was later shown at the 1900 Paris Universal Exhibition. In 1866 Antoine and his son Elie established LeCoultre & Cie, the first full-fledged manufacture in the Vallée de Joux, bringing many crafts together under one roof. The company became known as the "Grande Maison of the Vallée de Joux."
Since 2000 Jaeger-LeCoultre has belonged to the Richemont group. Over its history the manufacture has produced more than 1,200 calibers and registered around 400 patents. According to the brand, more than 180 skills are involved in making its watches.
What is the Atelier d'Antoine?
The Atelier d'Antoine, inaugurated in November 2020 and named after the founder, is Jaeger-LeCoultre's program of visitor experiences. At the manufacture in Le Sentier it includes three themed manufacture visits, discovery workshops, masterclasses and à la carte experiences:
- Manufacture visits: "Welcome Home" (brand history and the stages of watchmaking), "Home of Inventions" (innovations and inventions) and "Home of Crafts" (creativity and artistic crafts). The brand also lists a "Home of Watchmaking" visit covering the history of the brand and the valley, watchmaking terms from quartz to complications, and production stages from design and prototyping to machining, assembly and rare artistic crafts.
- Discovery workshops: three-hour sessions for up to 8 participants, combining instruction with hands-on practice.
- Masterclasses: for example the Engraving Masterclass in the manufacture's rare-crafts workshop, where participants engrave a design on a silver plate.
Atelier d'Antoine experiences are also offered in selected boutiques abroad, for example in Dubai and New York.
What you can learn about
- The Reverso: created in 1931 for polo players; its reversible case, designed by René-Alfred Chauvot, protects the dial and glass.
- The Atmos clock: invented by Jean-Léon Reutter and patented in 1928, it runs on small changes in temperature and air pressure. Since 1950 the Swiss government has used it as an official gift.
- The Gyrotourbillon: the Gyrotourbillon I of 2004 was the brand's first grande complication wristwatch, with a multi-axis tourbillon.
Why it matters for watch collectors
Few places show as many watchmaking crafts at one site. For owners of a Reverso, an Atmos clock or a complicated piece, seeing where these watches are designed, machined and assembled adds useful context about their construction, and the masterclasses give a hands-on feel for crafts such as engraving.
Visiting (as of 2026)
The manufacture is at Rue de la Golisse 8, 1347 Le Sentier. By train, Le Sentier station is about 20 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by car; depending on your route, the La Golisse stop is closer. Drivers use the visitor car park, and winter tires are recommended from October to Easter. Geneva Airport is about 1.5 hours away by car. Le Brassus, home of the Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet, is in the same municipality.
- Booking: online with secure payment; a confirmation email validates your place. Cancel at least one week in advance.
- Duration and price: manufacture visits last 3 to 4 hours in small groups; the Home of Watchmaking visit costs CHF 80 (3 hours, up to 8 people), the Engraving Masterclass CHF 300 (5 hours, up to 4 people).
- Languages: French and English.
- Age: minimum 12 years (16 for discovery workshops); participants aged 12 to 16 take part free of charge.
- On site: arrive 15 minutes early with your booking and a valid ID or passport; a white coat is provided.
Related brands
Opening hours, prices and exhibitions change. Please check the official website before your visit.
Sources (9)
Frequently asked questions
What is the Atelier d'Antoine?
Jaeger-LeCoultre's visitor program, inaugurated in 2020 and named after founder Antoine LeCoultre. It includes manufacture visits, discovery workshops and masterclasses.
Where is the Jaeger-LeCoultre manufacture?
At Rue de la Golisse 8, 1347 Le Sentier, in the Vallée de Joux, canton of Vaud.
How long does a manufacture visit take and what does it cost?
As of 2026, manufacture visits last 3 to 4 hours; the Home of Watchmaking visit costs CHF 80 per person. Prices for each experience are listed on its booking page.
Is there a minimum age?
Yes. Participants must be at least 12 (16 for discovery workshops). Those aged 12 to 16 take part free of charge.
Which languages are offered?
Experiences are given in French and English.
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