There’s always one. Every time there’s a bunch of watch brands together, someone has to try and outdo the rest and create something both insanely complicated and just downright insane. This year the watchmaker in question is Jaeger-LeCoultre. The watch: The Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpetual. Let’s break it down.
The Master Grand Tradition is basically JLC’s heritage haute horology line. It’s where they do the kind of stuff that collectors dream of in ways no man should think about a watch. Think the highest of the high complications presented.
Think of it more as tradition in the sense that this is watchmaking at its purist, nothing to do with aesthetics. As you can see, the new piece is anything but classical in its styling. In fact, it’s unashamedly technical as well it should be; it houses a gyrotourbillon.
There’s a lot of uming and ahing over whether a standard tourbillon works. It was built for a pocket watch after all, something that sits in a different position than your wristwatch. Let me say that it does work, just not too well. The Gryotourbillon aims to fix that.
It’s one of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s crowning achievements, a tourbillon that moves with gravity (as the name suggests) to consistently keep it in the perfect position. I’ve tried to wrap my head around the system more than once; needless to say, there’s good reason for JLC to be proud of the complication.
Next is the Westminster and no that doesn’t mean it has an indicator that goes ineffectually back and forth until you get fed up and stop paying attention. It’s more like Big Ben. In fact, the carillion minute repeater housed inside the watch is a nice replacement for the currently silent chiming of the iconic bells.
It’s one of the more complicated chiming methods out there, as the different notes need to be tuned to perfection rather and played in time, rather than just hammering out the usual one or two tinny notes. In this case it’s also more precise than usual, as the repeater is linked to a remontoir d’égalité, a constant force spring that recharges once every sixty seconds.
Blue enamel version
Finally, the watch houses a perpetual calendar because at this point, why not? I’m just a little surprised they didn’t shove a worldtimer, equation of time and a whole planetarium onto the back.
Instead, the entire reverse is open so that you can see the watch working. Wait for it to chime – or ask it to, if you’re feeling impatient – and you’ll see the entire layered movement working in tandem to put Big Ben to shame.
Silver dial version
All of these complications, three of the most extreme out there, have been fit into a case just 43mm wide and 14.08mm thick. Wearable doesn’t even come into it, the Jaeger-LeCoultre is positively svelte.
Needless to say, the finishing is flawless across the board – what else would you expect? – and the price is wincingly high. Ready? It’s 800,000 Euros or just under £712,000. Before taxes. It’s also limited to 18 pieces which, given the nature of the Master Grand Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpetual, is actually bloody impressive. Well done, Jaeger-LeCoultre. Well done.
Price & Specs:
- Model Name: Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel
Ref: Q52534E1 (blue enamel dial), Q5253420 (silvered dial) - Dial/Case: 43 mm diameter x 14.08 mm thickness
- Movement: Calibre 184 – manual
- Functions: Hour/Minute, Jumping Date, Two-way perpetual calendar (Day/Date/Month/Year), Gyrotourbillon, Minute repeater with Westminster chime
Water Resistance: 3 bar
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour - Power Reserve: 52 hours
- Price & Availability: €800,000 before taxes, limited to 18 pieces
- Model Name: Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel
Discover more at Jaeger-LeCoultre’s website.
