Jaeger-LeCoultre reinterprets the Duometre Quantieme Lunaire

Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the Duometre Quantieme Lunaire, ref. Q604848J offered for the first time in stainless steel. Price €48,400

At Watches and Wonders Geneva 2024, alongside the groundbreaking Duometre Heliotourbillon Perpetual, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced a reinterpretation of the Duometre Quantieme Lunaire (Moon Phase), offered for the first time in stainless steel.

By effectively separating the power supply into two ‘streams’ – one barrel and gear train for timekeeping and a separate barrel and gear train for the Moon Phase complication, both linked to a single escapement – the Duometre system guarantees absolute constancy of the power supply, regardless of whether a complication is operating or not. 

On the deep blue dial of the Duometre Quantieme Lunaire, the long and very fine hands are a signature of all Duometre watches, as is the symmetrical layout, with three sub-dials forming an inverted pyramid. The sub-dial at 3 o’clock shows the time, with the cardinal hours marked by applied Arabic numerals; the sub-dial at 9 o’clock displays the date with a hand and the moon phase set against a blue sky. 

Emphasising the precision of the calibre, the foudroyante whirls continuously in the third sub-dial at 6 o’clock. Completing a full revolution in one second (versus a ‘standard’ seconds hand, which rotates in 60 seconds) with six ‘jumps’ per rotation, the foudroyante hand makes it possible to observe intervals of precisely one-sixth of a second. 

The dial is made in several sections, with different finishes to create visual interest and contrast. 

The lower section of the dial is sunray-brushed and, in an added touch of refinement, the two power reserve indicators are distinguished from this sunrayed background by an opaline arc. 

The convex curve of the dial perimeter closely follows the contour of the glass-box crystal that protects it, and the sub-dials are slightly sunken into its surface, increasing the sense of visual depth. 

Characterised by a convex crystal and rounded bezel, the 42.5 mm x 13.05 mm case is a complex structure of 34 separate parts and the lugs are screwed rather than integrated, to enable multiple finishing techniques. Water resistance is guaranteed up to a pressure of 5 ATM (50 metres / 165 feet).

Visible through the transparent crystal case-back, the 374-component Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 381 offers several glimpses of the mechanism. Operating at a frequency of 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour), this refined hand-wound movement offers 50 hours of power reserve.

While the bridges are decorated with sunrayed Geneva stripes one by one, once the movement is assembled all stripes radiate from the centre of the regulating organ to the edge of the calibre in perfect alignment.

Paired with a blue alligator leather strap with a double folding clasp in steel, the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Quantieme Lunaire, ref. Q604848J, is priced at Euro 48,400 / US$ 44,300. jaeger-lecoultre.com

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