Swiss luxury clock manufacturer Jaeger-LeCoultre is best known for manufacturing timepieces that do not need to be wound manually and run for years without adjustments. They rely on temperature and atmospheric changes for energy. The Atmos 568 is no exception to this idea, drawing the energy it needs from the air. Pretty cool stuff.

The Atmos 568 was designed by Marc Newson, who is best known for designing the Lockheed Lounge, an aluminum and fiberglass sofa which was auctioned for $2.9 million. His style is characterized by smooth lines and rounded corner — evident in his design work on Apple Watch.

This luxurious timepiece has a strong resemblance to the other Atmos models he’s designed, but with a slightly tweaked shape, to make it a totally new creation.

Newson’s earlier clocks closely resembled ice cubes with their rounded edges and gentle curves. The Atmos 568 features a flat front and back panel, creating a slightly different silhouette that serves as a reminder of 1970s design cues.

The body of the clock is made of crystal glass, chosen for its superior clarity. The clock is made up of two pieces of glass; one flat panel and another large section made for the front panel to slide into. This special crystal glass is produced by Baccarat, the 250-year old French maker of high-end crystal glassware.

Functionally, the Atmos 568 is identical to Newson’s previous Atmos creations. It displays hours, minutes, the month and the moon phase. The clock’s face is made of clear glass and features deep-blue numerals.

A special mix of gas sealed inside of a capsule expands and contracts with the tiniest changes in ambient temperature. A one degree change in temperature can run this clock for a whole two days. As the accordion-shaped capsule changes lengths it winds the clock’s mainspring, which keeps it ticking.

Price and availability

Newson’s previous Atmos clocks were all limited edition models, but the 568 is part of the regular collection. This beautifully functional piece of art can be purchased from Jaeger-LeCoultre boutiques and retailers for $28,000 — a luxurious tag indeed.