Jaeger-LeCoultre timepieces are works of art and symbols of precision. And its latest unveiling — the new Master Grande Tradition Répétition Minutes Perpétuelle in a limited-edition series — is no different. This exceptional watch features a unique chiming caliber and showcases Jaeger-LeCoultre’s mechanical supremacy and celebrates their heritage of having created over 200 chiming-and-minute-repeating calibres.
Warranting a celebration, the launch of this wristwatch was at the second chapter of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s The Art of Precision event, held in the beautiful city of Kyoto in Japan.
“We are delighted to present our collection of watches dedicated to Art of Precision in the city of Kyoto, known for its uniquely refined atmosphere and heritage. It was a perfect opportunity to immerse our guests in the Art of Precision theme, paying attention to detail, and traditional gesture accomplished to create piece of arts, as our collection of watches,” said Catherine Rénier, CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre.
The Art of Precision Event
At the centuries-old Jaeger-LeCoultre facility in Le Sentier, almost every métier associated with fine Swiss watchmaking is practiced — as many as 180 specialised trades and bespoke crafts sit under one roof. It is no surprise then that JLC timepieces have a major preoccupation with precision.
“Precision everywhere and all around …. Precision is the common denominator between the city of Kyoto and the Jaeger-LeCoultre Manufacture dedicated to watchmaking savoir-faire and technical expertise since 1833 in the Vallée de Joux,” said Rénier.
Like Jaeger-LeCoultre, many of Japan’s most revered art forms have accuracy at their heart. Testimony to this parallel, the evening gathered together watchmaking artisans, who showcased their skills alongside highly-skilled artists whose eye for detail is also a watchword.
Two Jaeger-LeCoultre watchmakers and inlay specialists gave insight into the craft of watchmaking and the centuries-old decorative technique of enamelling. Also, three Japanese Living National Treasure artists — Kiju Fukuda, Kenji Suda and Kazuo Yamagishi revealed secrets of stunning Japanese embroidery and marquetry.
Master Grande Tradition Répétition Minutes Perpétuelle
This watch takes inspiration from antique chiming pocket watches. The innovative new gong system has the rich tones and strong, yet subtle chimes one would associate with old sonnerie pocket watches, but never seen before in Grand Complication watches.
The timepiece follows the aesthetic code of the Master Grande Tradition collection; however, this latest showcase represents the apex of the manufacturer’s modern expertise — it is energy efficient and boasts an evolutionary case design, a superlatively engineered minute-repeating calibre and an automatic-winding perpetual calendar system.
Housed in a highly compact (13.72 mm) white-gold case, this timepiece is available in two dial variations — one a neoclassical, silver-grained dial and the other a deep blue translucent guilloché enamel dial.
