2013/01/28

*Jaeger-LeCoultre "New Productions 2013"

Jaeger-LeCoultre the Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Cylindrique à Quantième Perpétuel Jubilee

 

A sense of performance

The creation of this model is a dizzying feat that sets a connoisseur’s heart beating as fast as its mechanism. Inspired by its 19th century perpetual calendars, Jaeger-LeCoultre launches one of its finest complications within the Master Grande Tradition line: the Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Cylindrique à Quantième Perpétuel. Dedicated to collectors and devotees of the watchmaking art, it pays tribute to Antoine LeCoultre and to the 180 years of the Manufacture by brilliantly rising to an authentic mechanical feat.

Right from its founding, Jaeger-LeCoultre began pushing the boundaries of the watchmaking art with the advent of pocket-watches featuring elegant finishing and top-flight mechanical substance. Their vocation was to write new pages in the history of complications and in the quest for ultimate precision and reliability. Reflecting the inventive spirit of Antoine LeCoultre, these models explored uncharted territory in developing prestigious movements. The Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Cylindrique à Quantième Perpétuel Jubilee unswervingly pursues the same path with its pure aesthetic and its watchmaking heart endowed with the latest technologies developed by Jaeger-LeCoultre with a constantly renewed purpose: giving a sense of performance to watchmaking tradition.

The latest creation from the Manufacture opts for a movement which single-handedly embodies a miniature watchmaking revolution: the new automatic winding mechanical movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 985, of which the tourbillon – equipped with a cylindrical balance- spring – puts on a spectacular watchmaking performance.

The watch, equipped with a flying (or cantilevered) tourbillon and a perpetual calendar, has been created in complete respect for the noblest watchmaking traditions and is in tune with the quest for absolute precision treasured by the founder of the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre. Within a large 42 mm case, Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 985 beats to the rhythm of a flying tourbillon and is equipped with a cylindrical balance-spring, forming an ensemble guaranteeing exceptional precision timing performances. The tourbillon is a major feat in itself. Its grade 5 titanium carriage, its large 14-carat balance and its cylindrical balance-spring developed by Jaeger-LeCoultre create an impression of levitation: the tourbillon appears to be suspended in mid-air at the heart of the movement. The perpetual calendar provides a crystal-clear display of the day, date, month and year, alongside with the moon phases; while the daring small seconds counts off precious moments above the flying tourbillon.

In terms of aesthetics, the Master Grande Tradition Cylindrique à Quantième Perpétuel features the perfect balance between classicism, purity and relevance – a means of associating its historical origins with elegant modernity.

Its new extra-white platinum case pays tribute to the 19th century and draws inspiration from the style codes characterising pocket-watches. Its array of design details reflects these same codes: hour-markers, a traditional minute circle, and a silver-toned grained dial finish. The superbly understated new “dauphine” hands make a perfect match with the classic nature of the model.

The sapphire crystal serves to admire the hand-crafted decorations reflecting a profound respect for traditional watchmaking. The 22-carat gold oscillating weight bears a reproduction of the gold medal that Jaeger-LeCoultre won at the 1889 Paris Universal Exposition in recognition of its horological expertise and its spirit of invention. The equally visible cylindrical balance-spring of the flying tourbillon also serves as a reminder of the extent to which the horological complications featured in the timepiece appear to be moving in an entirely different sphere.

The idea of housing a flying tourbillon and a perpetual calendar within the case of the Master Grande Tradition collection represents an extremely tricky balancing act. No other showcase could have been better suited to pay homage both to Fine Watchmaking and to one of its illustrious exponents, Antoine LeCoultre. With the Master Grande Tradition Cylindrique à Quantième Perpétuel Jubilee, Jaeger-LeCoultre reflects the inventive spirit that has characterised since its founding and highlights the perpetual quest for ultimate performance. Issued in an 180- piece limited series, the watch with its aesthetic historical inspiration endowed with the latest technological breakthroughs daringly celebrates the 180 years of Jaeger-LeCoultre history.