Jaeger-LeCoultre Hybris Artistica Duomètre Sphérotourbillon

Hybris Artistica,  twelve timepieces united in a unique collection

Jaeger-LeCoultre unveils twelve unique and precious timepieces symbolising the horological excellence of the Grande Maison.

The new watch collection builds on the fascination generated by grand complication watches and by the Hybris Mechanica collection that the Manufacture in the Vallée de Joux has been developing over the years. The Hybris Artistica timepieces epitomise the unique spirit of inventiveness brought to life by 180 century-old skills in a ‘calendar’ of wonderment combining as never before watchmaking art and transcendent creativity.

Watchmaking sensations: the quest for balance

Hybris Artistica further enhances the iconic masterpieces of the brand and demonstrates the boundless creativity as well as the rich watchmaking culture of the Manufacture in the Vallée de Joux.

Faithfully perpetuating traditional watchmaking, Jaeger-LeCoultre presents complicated watches with specially crafted cases each more sophisticated than the next. Each of the twelve models in the Hybris Artistica collection represents an unprecedented blend of design, technical construction, watchmaking art and exquisite craftsmanship to achieve the point of equilibrium that dramatically expresses the Manufacture's mastery and style.

Through daring materials and strong aesthetic choices, the Manufacture draws upon the talent of its artisans while eluding technical traps and constraints. It submits its cases and movements to the ultimate demands of beauty and excellence. Such is its singular vision that has been successfully mingling tradition and invention for over 180 years.

180 skills under one roof

What is a fine watchmaking timepiece if not the extraordinary sum of the technical knowledge, experience and expertise shared and cultivated by the more than 1,300 people working at the Manufacture?

The Grande Maison carries on the impetus set in motion by Antoine LeCoultre. Since 1833, this watchmaker was able to instil into his company the principle of making in-house the tools of the trade as well as every watch component emerging from the workshops. This approach that was at once historical and historic, earned the Manufacture a notable reputation for the rare skills required to design and manufacture remarkable timepieces.

The making of a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch is a multi-facetted process involving countless cells of expertise working together to create living tissue. From profile turning to casing-up, through stamping, jewelling, chamfering, decorating the movement, as well as making adjustments, fitting the hands and assembly, all the crafts involved represent a constantly tested foundation of expertise as well as a shared set of human and horological values.

Employees of the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre master in all respects the most innovative and creative skills inherent in exceptional watches. All have followed a specific Jaeger-LeCoultre apprenticeship process that consists of working together on a daily basis to learn from the talents of others.

It is indeed only through such close collaboration that creative boundaries can be consistently pushed back.

Duomètre Sphérotourbillon

Endlessly inventive, the watchmakers of the Manufacture came up with a stunning movement design paving the way for unprecedented functions. The Dual Wing is a revolutionary concept that features two standalone movements, each with its own energy source and sharing a common regulating organ. The major feature of this Duomètre is its Sphérotourbillon, in which an additional axis of rotation provides a three-dimensional rotation. In addition to revolving around the axis in its titanium cage, the tourbillon rotates around a second axis, tilted at 20°. The combination of these two distinct and rapid rotations enables the watch to defy the effects of gravity in all positions. Beyond its faultless accuracy, this exceptional piece is proud to be the first tourbillon watch adjustable to the very second. A button at 2 o'clock resets the small seconds counter located under the tourbillon to zero using a flyback mechanism.  

In its Hybris Artistica version, the Duomètre Sphérotourbillon provides an enchanting view of the amazing mechanics of this timepiece. The Manufacture created a case composed of two sapphire crystal domes featuring lugs in 18-carat white gold. Making the timepiece water- resistant represented quite a feat. The nearly transparent case looks like a time capsule sealed to its precious horological message. It showcases the dial, chiselled using a hand engraving technique that consists of removing material – 18-carat white gold – with a special chisel using multidirectional strokes to obtain a stunning surface, both finely grained and glossy. To accentuate the dramatic effect of the timepiece, a staircase is located in the opening that houses the tourbillon. With its finely chiselled steps, it frames and highlights the Sphérotourbillon whose transparent bridge is crafted from sapphire crystal. It seems to evolve unhindered in a limpid décor filled with its choreographed revolutions. The elegant dials of the Duomètre Sphérotourbillon are crafted from white Grand Feu enamel with numerals fired with the enamel in a traditional technique followed to the letter. Its aristocratic bearing and precious mechanism make the Duomètre Sphérotourbillon a top-tier fine watchmaking timepiece.