The New Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos Infinite ‘Halo’ Clock Shows Time Floating in a Glass Tube

Introducing a celestial marvel in horology, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos Infinite ‘Halo’ reimagines the art of timekeeping with an ethereal elegance that seems to defy gravity. Suspended within a crystalline cylinder and powered by nothing more than air and temperature changes, the ‘Halo’ isn’t just a clock — it’s a kinetic sculpture, a meditation on time itself. With its minimalist design and mesmerising transparency, the device showcases Jaeger-LeCoultre’s unmatched mastery in blending science, art, and mechanical poetry into a clock that feels both futuristic and timeless. Upgrading the model further, the timepiece maker has now released its 100-piece limited edition. The new Atmos Infinite ‘Halo’ (Ref. Q540532J) variant is indeed an ode to transparency and minimalism.

Created in 1928, the Atmos clock appears to defy the laws of physics. It has been running for decades without the need for any traditional energy source or rewinding. Instead, its mechanism is driven by regular, everyday fluctuations in air temperature; a difference of one degree Celsius is enough to provide two days of operation. Since the 1930s, the Le Sentier-based timepiece maker has used its watchmaking expertise to create continuous technical improvements, and deployed its creative abilities to enrich what has become a coveted object d'art.

While the glass cube based on the Art Deco design of Atmos II has become an instantly identifiable classic, Jaeger-LeCoultre has also collaborated with renowned designers and skilled artisans to create limited editions of Atmos. The new 215 mm edition is 253 mm high. In fact, the Atmos Infinite 'Halo' variant is a modern take on the iconic Art Deco ‘glass box’ design, with a smooth, cylindrical glass cabinet that also resembles the rounded ‘bell jar' domes of earlier models. The glass cabinet eliminates visual distractions, allowing the Atmos mechanism to shine through. The glass supports that hold it in place are virtually unnoticeable.

The white lacquered dial is composed of two circles and is complemented by polished baton-shaped applied hour markers, and hour and minute hands that match the silvery rhodium finish. The lacquer (requiring 10 coats) is then polished and a varnish is applied to protect it during the machining of tiny indentations to accommodate the hour markers. This ensures a flawless finish. Once completed, the protective varnish is carefully removed and the hour markers are attached to their slots.

On a metal outer ring, the minutes are marked by tiny, indented dots. Their form echoes the round indentations on the annular balance, which oscillates in its slow rhythm beneath the body of the movement. The approach to design is echoed by the clock’s functions: Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 570 is an hours and minutes movement providing a 48-hour power reserve. The openworked construction has striking finishes, including brushed surfaces, polished edges, and Côtes de Genève stripes, combined to create an intriguing play of light and reflection, along with clean lines.