Here at WCL, we are suckers for perfumes and if you’re one of an avid readers you know we regularly feature some of our favorite fragrances. In a totally surprising move, Jaeger-LeCoultre has just released three signature perfumes by perfumer Nicolas Bonneville. This is the result of the latest artistic collaboration under Jaeger-LeCoultre’s ‘Made of Makers; program.

​These three new fragrances are the product of a perfect blend of artistic creativity with the precision of science expressing Jaeger-LeCoultre’s identity with high concentrations of noble ingredients that leave distinctive and sophisticated trails by acclaimed French perfumer Nicolas Bonneville. Through this collaboration, the Scent Artist has interpreted the Maison’s olfactory identity with a portfolio of original fragrances offered in different formats.

The Made of Makers program draws a parallel between the worlds of horology and art, fostering collaborations with artists, designers, and craftsmen from disciplines outside watchmaking, who share the Maison’s values of creativity, expertise, and precision. The program challenges the perception of classical art as static or bound to the past, instead emphasizing its continuous reinvention and positioning it as a leading source of creativity today. Where today’s classics were once seen as radical at their inception, the Made of Makers program explores how traditional forms and techniques can be reinvented through new materials and media, offering a fresh perspective on the dialogue between past and present. Like the watchmakers of La Grande Maison, these artists respect tradition as a foundation for creativity, while pushing boundaries and exploring new horizons, highlighting how both watchmaking and classical art express human creativity, reflect the culture of an era, and trigger emotions.

Recognized as one of the most talented perfumers of his generation, Nicolas Bonneville continually breaks new ground with distinctive fragrances that blend traditional and avant-garde techniques, rare essences, and age-old natural ingredients.

Born and raised in France, he fell in love with perfume during a holiday in Grasse, the cradle of French perfumery, when he was 12 years old. The experience had a profound impact on him: he began to teach himself the art of blending fragrances by designing his experiments with scent at home, developing his innate gifts, and growing skills as a self-taught ‘nose’. At the beginning of his professional career, he was mentored by the perfumer Jacques Maurel and, later, by Francis Kurkdjian.

In his approach to perfumery, Nicolas Bonneville combines creativity, imagination, and innovation, together with an exceptional understanding of sensory perceptions. His work is notable in the way he explores new associations of scents and ingredients beyond classical codes and cultural borders. The creation of an olfactory identity for Jaeger-LeCoultre explores the natural affinity between the world of perfumery and that of watchmaking: both art forms are intricate disciplines that share a deep sense of artistry, balance tradition with innovation and rely on precision and detail.

The purpose of each timepiece extends far beyond mere functionality —a watch is not a simple tool but an expression of personality, style, and even emotion. In the same way, a fine fragrance is intensely personal, evoking memories, moods, and feelings. Precision and attention to detail lie at the heart of both disciplines. In horology, every gear, spring, and component must fit perfectly for the watch to function. In perfumery, the same principle applies to ingredients that must be measured and balanced with exacting care, as even the smallest variation can compromise the entire composition.

The three olfactory signatures crafted by Nicolas Bonneville for Jaeger-LeCoultre represent the highest practices that distinguish haute perfumery from all other fragrances.

• Short formulas —the use of fewer ingredients allows for a clearer, more refined olfactory profile, in which each raw material plays a crucial role.

• Noble Ingredients —many of them rare and prestigious, these ingredients have been enhanced by modern extraction methods that preserve their properties.

• High Concentrations —the elevated concentration of one key ingredient in each formulation translates the willingness to build balanced nuances around a single, potent scent. 

This meticulous composition results in a rich and sophisticated sillage, leaving an evocative trail that captivates and lingers elegantly, even when its wearer leaves the room.

The fragrances are Eau de Parfum presented in 100-milliliter bottles and are The Celestial Odyssey —heart of patchouli, ambery woods, and vanilla—, The Precision Pioneer —incense, vibrant wood, and oud—, and The Timeless Stories —violet leaves, orris, and leather accord.

About the Jaeger-LeCoultre Signature Perfumes

THE TIMELESS STORIES is inspired by the iconic Reverso watch, a legend born from the challenge to create a wristwatch that could withstand the rigors of polo matches. Its woody and leathery character reminisces the redolence of stables and saddles, while its opening note of Violet Leaves evokes the freshness of meticulously trimmed grass on a polo field. The heart of the fragrance is enveloped by the preciousness of Orris, representing the dual nature of the Reverso watch-resilient and durable on the outside, yet refined and delicate on the inside – and finally, it settles into a base of Leather Accord.

THE CELESTIAL ODYSSEY is an ambery and spicy fragrance that pays tribute to the moon, the sun, and the stars, the three celestial bodies that have always captivated watchmakers. It opens with the diaphanous, lunar light of Heart of Patchouli. Then, in warm and mineral waves, Amber Woods reinvents the sensuality of Ambergris – a product of nature born from the depths of the ocean that symbolizes the nights when ancient navigators guided their journeys by observing the starry skies. At its base, as sensual and captivating as an incandescent star, Vanilla spreads its solar attraction.

 THE PRECISION PIONEER is woody and spicy in character, inspired by the heart of the Manufacture. It opens with warm notes of Incense that represent the Maison’s origins through the intense heat of the blacksmith’s fire, where raw materials are transformed into masterpieces of precision. It is then magnified by the powerful scent of Vibrant Wood, evoking the watchmaker’s bench. The distinctive scent of Vibrant Wood is obtained by blending many characteristics of different woods to create a unique wood, tailor-made specifically for this fragrance.

Destined to become an additional signature of La Grande Maison, 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.

More info on Jaeger-LeCoultre here.