It seems like Im on a roll with rare Jaeger-LeCoultre pieces of late: hot off the camera is a set of the magnificent Gyrotourbillon 1 (we did a review of the Gyrotourbillon 2 as well). This version has a skeleton dial; a massive rose gold case, perpetual calendar, and of course, the signature multi-axis tourbillon all made up of 679 parts, 117 alone of which are jewel bearings.
As usual, click on any image for a larger versionIt also runs for slightly over eight days, powered by two vertically stacked and sapphire-topped barrels which is a nice touch, but Im not sure why youd need to see the state of wind if youve got a power reserve indicator on the front. This is especially impressive considering the amount of torque required to turn the double tourbillon cages. Aesthetically, the best side is the front although of course theres absolutely nothing wrong with the back, of courseBut all the same its nice to have a piece whose complexity is there to appreciate without having to take it off. Datograph, Im looking at you.
The perpetual calendar is a triple retrograde implementation, but with a twist: the month is on a scale next to the tourbillon cage and mirroring the power reserve indicator; however, the date is on a scale which divides the watch into two vertically, and sits on a slightly lower level than the timekeeping dial. Whats more interesting is that the date indicator hand swings from an arc whose pivot point is at the top of the watch in the 12 oclock position this is accomplished by means of a split indicator that actually has two hands, one of which takes over on the 17th of the month for the second half of the scale. Neat. I also love the little touch of whimsy offered by the sun hand, which is an equation of time indicator of course customized to the latitude of the city desired. The leap year indicator is on the rear of the watch sensible, as theres nowhere to put it on the front that wouldnt disrupt the balance of the dial, and its not something youd refer to that often, anyway.
Do we need to talk about finishing? Not really, with a piece like this its as youd expect. My only preference would be to have applied markers on the time dial, rather than printed numbers Im just not a big fan of the font used. Otherwise, its actually surprisingly legible for something so complicated (and skeletonized). I also really like the previous semi-translucent sapphire dial; it would be nice for a future edition if JLC would apply that finish to the entire dial of the watch.
Ive saved the best for last. I spent a lot of time just staring at the motion of the tourbillon its utterly mesmerizing and amazing when viewed through the viewfinder of a camera at such high magnification that the cage occupies the entire frame. Its also hugely challenging to shoot, because by design the cage will take a very long time before it passes the same orientation again, and theres no way of hacking the movement understandable given the nature of the escapement.A masterpiece? Undoubtedly. MT
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As usual, click on any image for a larger versionIt also runs for slightly over eight days, powered by two vertically stacked and sapphire-topped barrels which is a nice touch, but Im not sure why youd need to see the state of wind if youve got a power reserve indicator on the front. This is especially impressive considering the amount of torque required to turn the double tourbillon cages. Aesthetically, the best side is the front although of course theres absolutely nothing wrong with the back, of courseBut all the same its nice to have a piece whose complexity is there to appreciate without having to take it off. Datograph, Im looking at you.The perpetual calendar is a triple retrograde implementation, but with a twist: the month is on a scale next to the tourbillon cage and mirroring the power reserve indicator; however, the date is on a scale which divides the watch into two vertically, and sits on a slightly lower level than the timekeeping dial. Whats more interesting is that the date indicator hand swings from an arc whose pivot point is at the top of the watch in the 12 oclock position this is accomplished by means of a split indicator that actually has two hands, one of which takes over on the 17th of the month for the second half of the scale. Neat. I also love the little touch of whimsy offered by the sun hand, which is an equation of time indicator of course customized to the latitude of the city desired. The leap year indicator is on the rear of the watch sensible, as theres nowhere to put it on the front that wouldnt disrupt the balance of the dial, and its not something youd refer to that often, anyway.Do we need to talk about finishing? Not really, with a piece like this its as youd expect. My only preference would be to have applied markers on the time dial, rather than printed numbers Im just not a big fan of the font used. Otherwise, its actually surprisingly legible for something so complicated (and skeletonized). I also really like the previous semi-translucent sapphire dial; it would be nice for a future edition if JLC would apply that finish to the entire dial of the watch.Ive saved the best for last. I spent a lot of time just staring at the motion of the tourbillon its utterly mesmerizing and amazing when viewed through the viewfinder of a camera at such high magnification that the cage occupies the entire frame. Its also hugely challenging to shoot, because by design the cage will take a very long time before it passes the same orientation again, and theres no way of hacking the movement understandable given the nature of the escapement.A masterpiece? Undoubtedly. MTMake sure to follow Jaeger-LeCoultre via Facebook and Twitter.