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From athlete to jeweller, or when the measurement of time becomes light.
THE ADVENTURE OF CREATION
"Like all athletes, I dreamed of the Olympic Games."
Jean-Marie Louis, born on June 24, 1986 in Liège, to a Jamaican mother and a father deeply rooted in Liège, discovered athletics at the age of 17. Under the guidance of Roger Lespagnard and then François Gourmet, he was crowned Belgian champion in the 100 meters twice (2009 and 2017).
A member of FC Liège, then of Cercle Athlétique Brabant-Wallon (CABW) and finally of Club de Seraing, he admits to liking the "work-pain-deliverance" cycle, which governs both the preparation of an athletics season... and the creation of an object as special as a clock in steel and precious stones.
“I stopped running in 2020 when my training and schedule became incompatible. I think I always had the idea of creating a beautiful object while working alongside my father. To be honest, I came up with ten ideas. This one, Illustro (to illuminate, to bring to light), a tribute to the City of Lights and the Olympic Games that have always made my heart beat faster, was a natural fit in this very special year, which also marks the 50th anniversary of Maison Louis. I dreamed of the Olympic Games. I'm achieving them in a different way.”
A LIGHT OBJECT
If the creator were to take precedence over the athlete, it would be in terms of artistic imagination...
Certainly, Illustro presents a structure similar to that of the Eiffel Tower, and a nod to the Olympic Games, but Jean-Marie Louis unites the two, surpasses them and makes it a true masterpiece.
While he adorned the design with 500 diamonds along its lines to showcase the beauty's Parisian splendor, he also awarded it its first gold medal, crafted around a few 18-karat gold rings. He also reimagined the untouchable Olympic logo, opening it up, altering the size of the rings, and setting it with diamonds, thus lending it a more solemn air.
The hour markers are adorned with ten 0.20-carat marquises, each representing a sun. At noon, the hands point to the spire of the Eiffel Tower. Every component of this clock is unique, custom-made, and set with precious stones... Even the escapement, the special piece that supports the balance wheel, features a ruby.
Illustro weighs 12ct carats.
The whole is enhanced by a ring, rather than a bell, made of pure Val Saint Lambert crystal cut like a diamond. The base is made of rosewood.
Unique Piece
Technical specifications
Dimensions
Height: 27 cm × 25 cm
Function
Hours and minutes
Movement
In-house manufacturing, custom-made equipment
13 rubies
Power reserve: 8 days
Materials
Stainless steel
Val Saint Lambert crystal globe
Decorative element in solid 18-carat gold
Setting
500 brilliant-cut diamonds
Ten marquise-cut diamonds for the index fingers
Total weight: 11.88 carats
Case
Delivered in a leather case
GALLERY
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