Jaeger-LeCoultre’s flagship release of 2019 is the latest instalment of the brand’s multi-axis tourbillon: the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel. Multi-axis tourbillon are not only exceptionally precise but also visually spectacular. Fulfilling the considerable energy demands of these sophisticated mechanisms without affecting their chronometric performance is a challenge that only the most experienced and talented watchmakers can face.
This impressive timepiece is the 5th Gyrotourbillon. In 2004, Jaeger-LeCoultre shook up the industry with the presentation of its first multi-axis tourbillon. This limited edition of just 18 pieces features a tourbillon that is significantly smaller than those in the preceding Gyrotourbillon timepieces resulting in an overall thickness reduction of movement and case. At 43mm in diameter and 14.08mm thick, for the desire of Jaeger-LeCoultre to deliver a truly wearable grand complication wristwatch. The timepiece makes no attempt to hide its complexity, with much of the mechanisms exposed even on the dial side.
The dial is encircled by four sets of gongs and hammers, which form the acoustic component inspired to the melody of the Big Ben clock at the Palace of Westminster in London, the Westminster chime is composed of four notes played in different sequences and different quantities at each quarter of the hour. The Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel uses four sets of gongs and hammers to create the Westminster chime to indicate the quarters when the minute repeater is activated. A silence-reduction function is built-in to optimize the melody cadence. Trebuchet hammers (articulated and sprung) allow for strong and quick strikes on the square cross-section, blued gongs that provide an optimal area of contact. These are welded to the watch’s crystal to capitalise on the superior sound transmission qualities of synthetic sapphire crystal to produce a loud and clear chime.
The dial also displays the day, date, month and year of the perpetual calendar. The calendar mechanism is hidden behind the sub-dial for the time, which is available with a guilloche grand feu enamel dial in blue, or a more conventional silvered, grained dial.
Besides the multi-axis tourbillon and the minute repeater, the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel also features a perpetual calendar that will automatically displays the correct date without the need for manual adjustment between months of different lengths.
The openworked dial, available either in a deep-blue grand feu enamel (ref. Q52534E1) or in a more classic silver-grained version (ref. Q5253420) are available for this limited edition of 18 watches. An equally elaborate view is presented on the back, revealing the intricate Calibre 184. Beating at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vph), the hand-wound Calibre 184 movement guarantees around 50 hours of power reserve.
The price of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel is on demand but expect it to be around Euro 800,000. For more information, please visit www.jaeger-lecoultre.com.
Discover Opulent Club on Apple News.