Jaeger-LeCoultre: Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel
24 January 2019Jaeger-LeCoultre presents the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel, the fifth multi-axis tourbillon from the Swiss Manufacture following the 2004 Master Gyrotourbillon 1, the 2008 Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2, the 2013 Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon 3 Jubilee and the 2016 Reverso Tribute Gyrotourbillon.
The Westminster chime is familiar to everyone as the famous melody of the Big Ben clock at the Palace of Westminster in London. Its four-phrase melody 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, incorporating a complex mechanism that places it at the most prestigious tier of chiming watches.
In order to create a chime of unmatched euphony, the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel has 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.
Precision lies at the heart of the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel, with a one-minute constant-force mechanism that 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 the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel, the constant-force mechanism has an additional advantage. It 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 also 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 the the perpetual calendar. The perpetual calendar is designed to work in perpetuity. It automatically displays the correct date without the need for manual adjustment between months of different lengths. It even takes into account the extra day at the end of February during leap years. The most common configuration of the perpetual calendar mechanism can only be adjusted in one direction, but the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel can be adjusted forwards or backwards without harming the movement. The pointer-style date indication further reinforces the precision aspect of the timepiece, as it jumps over the tourbillon aperture in order to provide the best possible view of the visually stunning rotating escapement.
Reflecting the blend of patrimony and modernity is the design of the watch, which emphasises the round profile of the 43mm white gold case while a retractable minute repeater pusher preserves the smooth lines of the case. Guillochage, martelage and grand feu enamel are part of the canon of fine watchmaking finish and have been practiced at Jaeger-LeCoultre in the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel. These finishes are visible in the openworked dial produced in a striking deep-blue guillochè grand feu enamel or in a silver-grained version.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel is a limited edition to only 18 pieces available at the price of €.800.000