Introducing The New Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication

Jaeger-LeCoultre is no stranger to great complication timepieces, but the expansion of the brand’s presence in this arena really took off in this century. Beginning with the Triptyque set of 3 timepieces to the Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication’s first introduction in 2010, developing sophisticated, easily legible watches with multiple complications is somewhat of a forte for them.

The caliber 945 is somewhat of a legendary movement, combining a lot of systems and information in a very elegant, in fact, absolutely stunning style. The movement offers simultaneous indications of civil and sidereal time on the dial, by virtue of regular time indication and an orbital tourbillon going anti-clockwise that follows sidereal time.

Assembling the Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 945 with orbital flying tourbillon
Assembling the Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 945 with orbital flying tourbillon

To briefly explain the difference between the two: solar time, indicates the average time between local solar noons, i.e. the amount of time it takes for the Sun to reach zenith (the highest point in the sky) from one day to the next. That’s 24 hours a day. Sidereal time, used in astronomy, measures the Earth’s rotation with respect to fixed stars in the night sky other than the Sun, and this works out to 23 hours, 56 minutes and a smattering of seconds.

But to go further, the celestial chart is combined with a calendar that goes around the entire dial, and can be read off a tiny Sun pointer on the periphery of the display. Add to that a minute repeater, featuring the brand’s signature cathedral crystal gongs and trebuchet hammers, and you have a Grande Complication that not only features all three types of complications, but sees them interacting with each other.

On the case back, the minute repeater’s operations can be fully admired
On the case back, the minute repeater’s operations can be fully admired
A New Look

The Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication has undergone many facelifts over the decade. The first model bore a guilloche dial, emphasising its classical origins; this was followed by a Hybris Artistica model, fully gem-set with baguette diamonds. Then in 2015, a new version of the watch emerged with a sunray-brushed dark blue dial and simple markers.

Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Céleste
Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Céleste

And last year, the Tourbillon Céleste, which was a variant of the watch sans minute repeater, artistic director Lionel Favre slimmed down the watch by opening an aperture on the sapphire crystal disc which sits on the same level as the orbital tourbillon.

A clear frontal view of the new edition reveals how the Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication has changed this year
A clear frontal view of the new edition reveals how the Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication has changed this year

Favre has repeated this in the new Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication, while making numerous other changes to the display. The star map has been shrunk down so that the entire 45mm watch display is composed essentially of concentric circles: from the minute track in the outermost chapter, to civil hour, to sidereal 24-hour display, to the date and month and finally the star map.

The dial is rendered even more legible by segmenting each display more clearly
The dial is rendered even more legible by segmenting each display more clearly

Thanks to the design of the dial, which is multi-layered, it almost feels like you’re looking into a dome on which the star chart is shown. To enhance that effect, Jaeger-LeCoultre has added a jewelry-style, laser-welded metal lattice structure that reminds you either of the constellations or atomic structures of a molecule. It has a hypnotic effect as you start into the dial, and the maison has thoughtfully painting in stars in the back to enhance the astronomical impact of this watch.

The laser-welded lattice structure is shown here, which is placed over the dial during assembly
The laser-welded lattice structure is shown here, which is placed over the dial during assembly

Favre’s design has not only made the watch easier to read, it also has an added dimensionality of design, which is much appreciated. Two versions of this new watch will be produced in limited numbers of eight pieces each, in pink gold or in white gold with 44 baguette-cut diamonds totalling 3.76 carats on the bezel.

The white gold model with baguette-cut diamonds on the bezel
The white gold model with baguette-cut diamonds on the bezel

It’s great to see that a watch that has such a great legacy within the house of Jaeger-LeCoultre continues to evolve over time. 10 years on, the Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication is still a maison highlight.

Technical Specifications

Movement

Manual winding calibre 945; hours and minutes; date and month; 24-hour indication; orbital flying tourbillon; sidereal time; minute repeater; celestial disc; power reserve of 40 hours

Case

45mm case in 18K pink gold or 18K white gold with 44 baguette-cut diamonds set on the bezel; black dial with golden laser-welded structure (pink gold model) or blue dial with silvered laser-welded structure (white gold model); limited to 8 pieces each; water resistant to 50m

Strap

Aliigator leather strap

return-to-top__image
Back to Top