Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel SIHH 2019

I cant remember a time Jaeger-LeCoulte has failed to impress us on the haute horlogerie front. Presented, as part of their SIHH 2019 haute horlogerie releases, the Grande maison is introducing the latest generation of its multi-axis tourbillon, 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… Introducing The Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel… A timepiece with a multi-axis tourbillon, a perpetual calendar and a minute repeater with Westminster chimes.

Further advancing the art of multi-axis tourbillons, the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel features a tourbillon that is significantly smaller than those in the preceding Gyrotourbillon timepieces. As a rule, reducing the size of a mechanism also reduces its error tolerance, which is why successful miniaturisation efforts are so highly valued and complex. In creating a smaller tourbillon, Jaeger‑LeCoultre has created a truly wearable Gyrotourbillon, bringing high complication out of the watch safe and onto the wrist for everyday enjoyment.

One of the most interesting features about this timepiece is its one minute constant force mechanism. It 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. The constant-force mechanism also 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.

The Westminster chime is familiar to everyone as the famous melody of the Big Ben clock at the Palace of Westminster in London. The Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel replicates the famous melody by using four sets of gongs and hammers, when the minute repeater is activated, incorporating a complex mechanism that places it at the most prestigious tier of chiming watches. To avoid interruptions and gaps of silence between the strikes, a silence-reduction function is built into the timepieces 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.

Next up is a horological function with the greatest everyday relevance and pragmatic value — the perpetual calendar. As the name suggests, 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 emphasises the experience and convenience of the user, and its date 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.

Limited to 18 pieces, the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel timepiece is offered in a 43mm white gold case and comes in two versions… a blue guilloché enamel dial and a silver-grained dial. A blue alligator leather strap with alligator lining adds the finishing touch.