With two new limited editions, Jaeger-LeCoultre has added new models to its “musical” collections.
In Switzerland, the number of brands producing their own independent movements and components is increasing. However, the number of the watch brands that could do this for a long, long time could be counted on the fingers of one hand. Surely, there is a reason for naming Jaeger-LeCoultre, which has been spreading in an ever-larger area in Le Sentier, “Grande Maison”.
When we think of the brands’ in-house productions and capabilities, it is not easy for JLC to find a rival in this field. The models we are introducing today are among the most beautiful samples. Both models, which are limited to a span of 30 units each, feature two major complications; minute repeater and perpetual calendar.
They are not small model at all. Nevertheless, considering the size of today’s musical timepieces, the Master Grande Tradition Répétition Minutes Perpétuelle is still very compact. The 43mm diameter and 13.72mm height of the 18K white gold case is not bad when considering its capabilities. The watch is water resistant up to 50 meters (5 bar). Of course, we don’t think you will jump into the sea with that watch on your wrist, but you had better be cautious.
Master Grande Tradition Répétition Minutes Perpétuelle comes to life with Caliber 950, the newest movement of the brand, where minute repeater feature is optimized along with perpetual calendar. The movement, measuring 30mm in diameter and 8.48mm in height, beats at a frequency of 4Hz (28.800vph) and offers up to 38 hours of power reserve when fully wound.
The main difference between these two limited editions is their dials. The version where silver powders are sprinkled has a simpler appearance. The dial of the blue-colored version is crafted with Sun Ray and Clous de Paris patterns over a gold disc in the rare arts workshop (Atelier des Métiers Rares) of the brand. Several blue enamel layers were applied before indexes, hands and logo were added. The production of each guilloché enamel dial takes two to three days. The blue enamel dial features the same design as the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master collection, introduced earlier this year at SIHH. The guilloché and enameling processes in the collection were also made within the brand’s own structure and attracted attention with this aspect. It is also possible to see the same enamel design in the highly complex Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel.
Since you read the article up here, it’s time to explain one of the most important details. The MSRPs (excluding taxes) for these elegant models are as follows: Ref. Q5233420 (silver-powder dial) is 225,000 EUR. Ref. Q5233E1 (blue guilloché enamel dial), is 250,000 EUR. You may still say, “I need to hear those gongs pounding to have a true experience about it”.
