Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Cylindrique a Quantieme Perpetuel Jubilee
Since its inception in 1833—180 years ago—Jaeger-LeCoultre has been a brand dedicated to excellence and creativity. From founder Antoine LeCoultre, who invented so many important timekeeping nuances, to today’s brand caretakers who perpetuate that spirit, Jaeger-LeCoultre continues to achieve record-breaking milestones. To date, the brand has more than 400 patents and 1,242 calibers under its much-coveted name – each a symbol of quality and innovation.
This year, to celebrate the brands’ 180th anniversary, the Grande Maison has unveiled the Hommage a’ Antoine LeCoultre collection. Three distinct watches comprise the Hommage collection. Inspired by its 19th century perpetual calendars, Jaeger-LeCoutlre launches one of its finest complications ever in the Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon 
Cylindrique a Quantieme Perpetuel Jubilee. This amazing timepiece embodies a miniature watchmaking revolution – the new 431-part automatic winding Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 985 – with flying tourbillon escapement equipped with a cylindrical balance-spring escapement. The watch also offers perpetual calendar within its 42mm extra-white platinum case.
The combination of the large balance in 14-karat gold and its cylindrical balance spring gives the impression that the tourbillon is suspended in mid air. Aesthetically, this is one of the most beautiful watches yet thanks to its perfect harmonious balance of purity and relevance. The 22-karat gold oscillating weight bears a reproduction of the gold medal that Jaeger-LeCoultre won at the 1889 Paris Universal Exposition in recognition of its horological expertise and its spirit of invention. Just 180 pieces of this masterfully executed automatic-wind watch will be created.
Also part of the Hommage collection is the Master Ultra Thin Jubilee watch – the world’s thinnest mechanical manually wound watch. With a case thickness of 4.05mm, the watch set s a new record for horological thinness. Inspired by a record-setting ultra-thin 1907 pocket watch, the new piece takes its cue from the original. At the heart of the new Ultra Thin Jubilee, beats mechanical manually-wound Calibre 849 measuring a mere 1.85 mm thick and which reflects the horological expertise of the Grande Maison in the field of extreme slenderness. A total of 880 pieces will be created.
Also in honor of its 180th anniversary, the brand unveils the 10th watch in its Hybris Mechanica series of Grande complications – the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon 3 (sans upper bridge). The watch features a flying spherical tourbillon and – for the first time – an instantaneous digital display chronograph. This watch is, in fact, the masterpiece of the “Tribute to Antoine LeCoultre” Jubilee trilogy. But Stay Tuned – that’s another story.
