Jaeger-LeCoultre Hybris Mechanica Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel with specs and prices. Available either in a deep-blue grand feu enamel (ref. Q52534E1) or in a more classic silver-grained version (ref. Q5253420). The latest evolution in the art of multi-axis tourbillons is the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel that Jaeger-Le Coultre unveiled on occasion of SIHH2019. The price of the Jaeger-LerCoultre Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel is expected to be around Euro 800,000.
Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced its first multi-axis tourbillon in 2004 with the Master Gyrotourbillon 1. It was followed in 2008 by the exceptional Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2 (still one of our favourite watches). More recently, the brand released the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon 3 Jubilee (2013) and the Reverso Tribute Gyrotourbillon (2016).
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.
The latest evolution in the art of multi-axis tourbillons is the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel that Jaeger-Le Coultre unveiled on occasion of the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (January 14-17, 2019).
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.
The watch also features a silence-reduction function built into its chiming mechanism. This ensures that even when the full set of Westminster quarters is not struck, there is no time delay corresponding to the missing quarters before the minutes are struck. In every instance of the chime when the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel is activated, the hour strikes, quarter strikes and minute strikes are seamlessly joined.
The one-minute constant-force mechanism provides a consistent level of power for the energy-hungry tourbillon without affecting its chronometric ability. The constant-force mechanism consists of a spring, known classically as a remontoir d’égalité, that is periodically re-armed by the mainspring and acts as a secondary power source to protect the regulating organ of the movement.
In this model, the constant-force mechanism regulates the motion of the minute wheel, creating a jumping minutes hand that offers greater precision in time display. More significantly, the mechanism that controls the minute strike follows this one-minute jumping system, which completely eliminates the chiming error that can occur when the repeater is activated between minutes, when the chime played and the time shown can be one minute apart.
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.
Very important in terms of user-experience, the date can be adjusted forwards or backwards without harming the movement, a function that not all perpetual calendar watches offer. The pointer-style date indication jumps over the tourbillon aperture in order to provide the best possible view of the rotating escapement.
A retractable minute repeater pusher, first seen in the Master Ultra Thin Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon, preserves the smooth lines of the round 43 mm x 14.08 mm white gold case.
Suggested reading:
- Jaeger-LeCoultre inventions and records
- Discover more SIHH 2019 novelties
COMMENTS