This September, Jaeger-LeCoultre opens a window into the evolving world of feminine watchmaking with ‘The Dream Shaper’, an immersive exhibition in Shanghai that celebrates two centuries of design, innovation, and artistry. From 10 to 26 September 2025, Zhangyuan W7, Lane 258, Maoming North Road transforms into a space where time becomes both craft and expression, showcasing some of the world’s most exceptional timepieces.

The exhibition showcases how feminine watchmaking developed its own distinctive approach over time. Rather than simply documenting chronological developments, ‘The Dream Shaper’ shows the connections between social and horological evolution. Each era’s watches capture the spirit of their time, reflecting the possibilities, aspirations, and achievements of the women who inspired them.

The Evolution of Women’s Timepieces

‘The Dream Shaper’ is organised around four thematic chapters; The Age of Tradition, The Age of Freedom, The Age of Emancipation, and The Age of Leadership. Each period brought distinct challenges that sparked innovations, creating unique approaches to both design and functionality.

The Age of Tradition shows how early ornamented watches became both jewellery and time pieces. They required extraordinary craftsmanship, with miniaturised movements housed within decorative cases that served multiple purposes. The precision required to fit reliable movements into these ornate cases established design principles that still guide watchmaking today.

Pocket watches reimagined as pendants, brooches, and bracelets created entirely new categories of personal accessories.Techniques such as detailed enamel work, precise gem-setting, and intricate engraving pushed artistic boundaries These pieces functioned for both practicality and refined statements of taste.

The Calibre 101 Revolution

The Age of Freedom reflects the period after World War I, when women’s growing independence began to influence watchmaking. In 1929, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the legendary Calibre 101, giving women a way to wear time both discreetly and elegantly. As the world’s smallest mechanical movement, a record that still stands nearly a century later, it marked a turning point in feminine horology.

Designing reliable movements at such a miniature scale required entirely new approaches to component design and assembly. Watches like the 101 Reine and other rare jewellery pieces show how miniaturisation enhanced sophistication, proving that smaller could be both elegant and technically remarkable. These timepieces combined discretion with style, responding to social changes with mechanical solutions crafted to sit gracefully on the wrist.

Innovation Inspired by Women

The Age of Emancipation saw the rise of the Reverso and other sculptural, shaped watches, reflecting women’s growing confidence, independence, and ambition. This era moved beyond delicate decoration, embracing bold designs that made a statement.

The shapes themselves were carefully considered with curves that flatter the feminine wrist, geometric forms inspired by contemporary design movements, and proportions designed to enhance natural elegance. Each watch became a reflection of its wearer’s evolving identity, a balance of style, confidence, and purpose.

Jaeger-LeCoultre responded with sculptural designs with new aesthetic dimensions. These timepieces were expressions of achievement and individuality, demonstrating how horology could evolve alongside society’s shifting expectations of women.

Watches That Define an Era

The Age of Leadership reflects the contemporary era, where women’s achievements and independence are mirrored in watches of extraordinary complexity. Timepieces such as the Rendez-Vous Shooting Star combine technical sophistication with refined design, placing women firmly at the forefront of horology.

This evolution began with the 1991 Carnet de Rendez-Vous, which introduced intricate mechanical functions within cases designed specifically for women. Today’s creations continue this tradition, pairing advanced complications with distinctly feminine design language.

Engineering these timepieces required entirely new approaches. Fitting complex movements into smaller, elegant cases demanded careful planning of component layout, power transmission, and visual harmony. The result is watches that are both mechanically impressive and graceful on the wrist designed with women in mind.

A Debut of Limited-Edition Innovations 

Alongside over 70 archival masterpieces, visitors will witness the global unveiling of new limited-edition timepieces, joining the celebrated Rendez-Vous collection. Each piece demonstrates meticulous craftsmanship: miniature movements housed in sculptural cases, diamond-set dials that capture and reflect light beautifully, and delicate guilloché finishes that create textured surfaces across precious metals.

The technical mastery on display illustrates how contemporary feminine watches continue to build on the innovations of the past two centuries.

Behind the Scenes: Live Demonstrations and Discovery Workshops

At The Dream Shaper, visitors can explore watchmaking through live demonstrations and the new Discovery Workshop presented by the Atelier d’Antoine. These sessions showcase the Manufacture’s expertise in gem-setting, miniature enamel painting, and movement assembly, bringing traditional techniques to life.

Guests can engage hands-on with these processes, gaining insight into the artistry behind each timepiece. With over 70 archival and exceptional watches on display, the workshops highlight the Maison’s heritage while showing how contemporary creations continue a legacy of innovation. 

Celebrating Women as Creators, Visionaries, and Leaders

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Made of Makers programme features a multimedia installation by a rising animation filmmaker, linking a community of creators with similar values and visions of creativity, and provoking new conversations. Visitors see how traditional craft continues to inspire creativity across disciplines.

The Dream Shaper celebrates women as creators, visionaries, and leaders, showing how feminine watchmaking evolved alongside their expanding roles. Each timepiece reflects both heritage and the possibilities of the future.

The journey concludes at The Crystal Bar, where the exhibition’s elegance continues in every detail, from diamond-set dials to the fluidity of animated installations. Open daily with complimentary admission, The Dream Shaper offers a rare opportunity to experience the art of shaping time, guided by women who defined their own vision of what was possible.