Podcast Summary: The Real Time Show – "Time To Watches: Atelier Jalaper"

Release Date: June 20, 2025

Hosts: Rob Nudds & Alon Ben Joseph

Introduction

In the June 20, 2025 episode of The Real Time Show, hosts Rob Nudds and Alon Ben Joseph welcome Louis Jalaber, the founder of Atelier Jalaper, to discuss his innovative approach to watchmaking. Filmed in their distinctive glass igloo in front of Villa Saracen, the episode delves into Louis's passion for blending automotive heritage with contemporary watch design.

Introducing Louis Jalaber and Atelier Jalaper

Louis Jalaber introduces himself and explains the origin of his brand's name, a combination of his own name and that of his business partner, Simon Schlepper.

Louis Jalaber [00:39]: "It's the mix of my name and the one of my business partner, Simon Schlepper. And that's the name of the brand, Atelier Jalapel."

Judah, a co-host or co-participant, humorously remarks on the brand name choice.

Judah [00:48]: "Yeah. I would not have called the company Atelier Schlepper. Schlepper is not so much always a positive."

Louis acknowledges the positive spin they've given to the name.

Louis Jalaber [00:57]: "Positive, exactly."

Spotlight on the Featured Watch

Judah showcases a Time To Watches: Atelier Jalaper timepiece, highlighting its design elements that blend contemporary aesthetics with 1950s-60s vibes. The watch features a 39mm stainless steel case, an aluminum dial, and a see-through case back.

Judah [01:38]: "It's very much a contemporary stainless steel watch that I think is 39 millimeters exactly. Beautiful steel dial aluminum."

Louis clarifies the movement powering the watch.

Louis Jalaber [02:02]: "It's Indeed a Sellita SW300 with the chronometer certified."

Judah estimates the watch's price and dimensions, prompting Louis to confirm.

Judah [02:18]: "If I had to guess, I think it's around 2000 and I hope it's around 17, 18, 1900."

Louis Jalaber [02:38]: "It's Swiss francs. It's 2,300 in that or without? With VAT?"

The hosts appreciate the watch's thickness and design, noting the contribution of the designer, Xavier.

Judah [03:17]: "Thickness wise, dear Louis, is it correct that's around 10 millimeters?"

Louis Jalaber [03:22]: "Yes, it's correct with the glass. Yeah. 10.5 something around 10.5."

Design and Craftsmanship

Alon delves into the watch's intricate design, praising the chapter ring and the AJ logo's aesthetic reminiscent of classic manufacturing stamps.

Alon [03:33]: "Applied on the dial also is the AJ logo, which I hate modern logos most of the time, but this one actually works. It's a really cool thing that looks not just like a logo but also somewhat like a shield, like an old manufacturing stamp, like a maker's mark."

Louis shares the inspiration behind the dial's material, emphasizing sustainability and authenticity.

Louis Jalaber [04:23]: "We used to take a piece of the bonnets to make the dial. That's why it's made in aluminum. It's made out of a Jaguar E type, semi lightweight, which are the E type that are racing. And this way they are in aluminum to get a better performance."

Sustainability and Authenticity

Judah probes into Atelier Jalaper's commitment to sustainability and the authentication of materials.

Judah [05:24]: "Are the lab grown natural, not gemstones? No. Do you guys prove that it's actually the bonnet from that particular E type and how."

Louis explains their meticulous process for certifying and transforming automotive parts into watch components.

Louis Jalaber [05:41]: "We record everything from the moment we have the bonnets and how we're going to transform it to cut it, get the paint out and transform it into dials."

He further clarifies that this documentation is available on their website.

Louis Jalaber [06:25]: "On the website, on the page of the product, on the project page. And yeah, it's available. You can see it's all the steps."

Technical Challenges and Solutions

The conversation shifts to the technical challenges of creating a straight aluminum dial from the curved surfaces of classic cars like the Jaguar E type.

Judah [06:37]: "How do you make a straight dial?"

Louis Jalaber [06:53]: "It was quite complicated at the beginning to have flat tires. And, yeah, it's our little secret how to transform the aluminum without having tension into the aluminum to flatten them."

Louis confirms the evolution of their collection, noting previous models inspired by the Aston Martin DB5 and Lamborghini Miura, before introducing their latest E type collection.

Louis Jalaber [07:20]: "We started with a model based on Aston Martin DB5. Then we did one project with the Lamborghini Miura, and this is our now new collection made out of the E type."

Versatility and Future Projects

Alon expresses interest in the possibility of Atelier Jalaper creating watches inspired by other vehicles or even different modes of transport like submarines.

Alon [08:05]: "Would you make a watch with a submarine dial?"

Louis remains open to expanding beyond cars, emphasizing their passion-driven approach.

Louis Jalaber [08:34]: "How it all started? It's really by Passions. My business partner, Simon and I, we are huge fans of cars and watches, and we wanted to blend those two universes into a unique and a different way."

Attention to Detail: Hidden Features

Louis discusses the asymmetrical design elements of the watch, drawing inspiration from automotive features.

Louis Jalaber [09:32]: "Because there are a lot of hidden details. Like, for example, you notice how the screws are placed asymmetrically. And there is also something asymmetrical about this watch that we wanted."

This attention to detail not only enhances the watch's aesthetic appeal but also its wearability.

Alon [10:23]: "Because it's going to slightly sort of cause the watch to lean a little bit towards you, and so it'll stand up on an almost styloid very nicely."

Exhibiting at Time To Watch

Louis shares his experience exhibiting for the first time at Time To Watch, highlighting the positive interactions and opportunities.

Louis Jalaber [11:05]: "First time, yeah."

Judah [11:07]: "How is the experience?"

Louis Jalaber [11:07]: "I love it. It's lovely. I've been the previous years, just as a visitor to check how was the fair and it's the first time. It's a very nice fair. Meeting a lot of clients, friends, retailers, press. It's amazing. Very good so far."

Business Model and Sales Strategy

Judah inquires about Atelier Jalaper's business model, to which Louis outlines a direct-to-consumer approach supplemented by emerging retail partnerships.

Judah [11:27]: "What's your business model? Are you direct to consumer? Do you have wholesale retail? How do you guys work?"

Louis Jalaber [11:32]: "We are direct to consumer everything on our website. But since a few weeks now we are open to to retail and. And we are looking for a new point of sales. Yeah."

Alon lauds the watch's craftsmanship and encourages listeners to engage with the brand in person.

Alon [11:47]: "This is an incredible watch, by the way. Just a beautiful, beautiful object. Gorgeous. [...] I would encourage anybody that is in the vicinity of an event that Atelier will be attending in the near future to go along and have a chat with Louis because it really is great work."

Louis provides the website URL for interested listeners.

Louis Jalaber [12:16]: "Www.atelierjalapere J-A L A P E R dot com."

Hosts' Perspectives and Final Thoughts

Post-interview, Alon and Judah share their impressions of the Atelier Jalaper watch.

Judah [12:42]: "I wanted to hate it and I didn't like that it was Louis Jalaber founding the Atelier Jalapeno. But you know what, he's a lovely guy. The watches actually really, really impressed me."

Judah draws parallels between Atelier Jalaper and other brands that incorporate unique materials into their timepieces, emphasizing the brand’s distinct style and sustainability efforts.

Judah [13:09]: "I immediately thought of them the first time I heard of the brand Atelier Jalapel and I'm like, okay, guys, what are you bringing new to the table. [...] It seems it has been done, but I think it's still romantic. I think it's cool."

Alon adds that Atelier Jalaper is ahead of its time, particularly in their conceptual approach to watchmaking.

Alon [14:48]: "Yeah, I think they're very much ahead of their time in terms of concept. [...] This model is easily the most refined. It's the most elegant. The case is perhaps the simplest in many ways, but also the sharpest and the best machined and the most exquisitely finished."

The discussion touches upon the aesthetic considerations of watch design, particularly the use of screws on the dials.

Judah [16:48]: "Obviously I've done a collab with Cedric Bellon who has them as well. And I loved the studio Underdog field watches with the screws on the sapphire dials."

Alon critiques the alignment of screws on watch dials, yet appreciates their functional role.

Alon [17:14]: "I don't mind the posts because they play a role. [...] I actually have grown to love those posts as a feature."

Future Inspirations and Directions

Judah poses a creative challenge to Atelier Jalaper, encouraging them to explore watch designs inspired by other iconic vehicles and modes of transport.

Judah [18:24]: "What is the next chapter you would like? Atelier Jalape to make the next car."

Louis remains open to diversifying their inspirations beyond cars, mentioning potential ventures into submarines and other vehicles.

Louis Jalaber [09:09]: "Why not submarine suppliers? [...] We are very focused on cars because it's really where our passion is. But why not doing it with different vehicles?"

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with a spirited exchange between the hosts, reflecting on Atelier Jalaper's unique position in the watchmaking industry and expressing enthusiasm for the brand's future endeavors.

Alon [21:24]: "So yes, Atelier gel. Go ahead, grab that by the balls and take it where you want to take it."

Judah [21:24]: "You heard it first on the Real Time Show, Sam."

Key Takeaways

• Atelier Jalaper seamlessly integrates automotive history with modern watchmaking, using authentic materials from iconic cars like the Jaguar E type.
• Sustainability is at the forefront, with meticulous documentation of material sourcing and transformation processes available on their website.
• The brand emphasizes unique design elements inspired by vehicle features, ensuring each watch stands out both aesthetically and functionally.
• Future projects may expand beyond cars, exploring inspirations from submarines, trains, and other modes of transport.
• Direct-to-consumer sales complemented by selective retail partnerships aim to broaden Atelier Jalaper's market reach.

For more information and to explore Atelier Jalaper's collection, visit their website at www.atelierjalapereJALAPER.com.