Even though Marc Jenni is from a family of watchmakers he had no aspiration to enter the industry. Then destiny took its course and he developed an enormous passion for timepieces. Initially he served an apprenticeship in Zurich, Switzerland with world-renowned atelier Paul Gerber and then spent the next decade working for the prestigious American jeweler Tiffany & Co. After gaining extensive experience Marc established his own company called Nobletime with his long-term partner and friend, Vicente Mafé.
Marc Jenni’s ultimate vision was to produce a watch under his own name. In 2010 this dream was realised when he unveiled his first watch called the Prologue at Baselword. This watch has generally received positive reviews because of its simplicity and understated charm. I have spoken to Marc on various occasions to find out the ideology behind his brand. Essentially his goal is to produce high quality range of original watches adhering to the finest Swiss traditions. The wonderful JJJ watch is a great example of his skill and expertise.
Marc is very proactive on Facebook and other social media outlets. Presently this is one of the best ways for a watchmaker to get instant feedback on their creations. It is also a great marketing tool for independent brands that haven’t got the budget for advertising campaigns. Of all the watches Marc Jenni has produced so far the JJJ is my personal favourite. The name pays homage to a distant family member Johann Jakob Jenny. Interestingly he is the oldest known ancestor who practiced the art of fine watchmaking. His story can be traced all the way back to 1780 in Glaris, Switzerland.
Visually the watch is absolutely stunning and exudes an air of sophistication. The elegant 44mm case is available in a choice of luxurious 18-carat rose or white gold. With a weight of only 100 grams I would imagine this timepiece would feel fairly comfortable to wear. The façade is composed of many exciting features including sunray pattern dial with diamond cut hour/minute hands and triangular small seconds. I love the three apertures displaying the day, date and planet indication. Overall the attention to detail is superlative and the composition is well balanced. Other effective elements of the design are the unique crown (located at 4 0’clock) and three inlayed caoutchouc rings.
Beneath the stunning exterior lies an intricate self-winding movement, which is visible through the sapphire crystal case back. The Caliber 2011 comprises 23 jewels and oscillates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. This mechanism was produced in Zürich and La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland to Marcs specifications. The JJJ features hours, minutes, seconds, day, date, planet indications and a power reserve of 42 hours. All these functions are operated by an ingenious push selector system.
The splendid JJJ comes with a hand-stitched black alligator strap and bespoke walnut presentation box. The suggested retail prices range between €37,500-€40,000 (approximately $50,775-$54,160).
