Swiss luxury watch brand Jaeger-LeCoultre has kicked off this year’s Watches & Wonders trade show with a stunning new interpretation of the Universal Time: Master Grande Tradition Caliber 948. The Manufacture’s famous Métiers Rares (Rare Crafts) Atelier has worked its magic on the timepiece to transform the mechanical masterpiece into a wrist-worn work of art. Starting with the intricate 43mm white gold case of the timepiece, it’s just as complex as the movement housed inside. Made up of more than 80 individual parts, the three-dimensionality of the case adds depth to the timepiece thanks to elements like the convex bezel that contrasts with broad bevels on the lugs, and the hollowed-out lug sides make the design come alive. Additionally, the different surfaces of the case that are micro-blasted, polished, and satin-brushed beautifully complement the complexity of the timepiece.
Coming to the stunning dial of the Master Grande Tradition Caliber 948, it features an intricately-crafted map of the world as seen from the North Pole. Created by the master artisans of JLC’s Métiers Rares atelier, the continents on the map are outlined in white gold and decorated with champlevé enamel, while the landscape details are highlighted with the traditional art of miniature painting. Furthermore, the continents along with the flying tourbillion appear to float on a dial bed of translucent blue lacquer applied over a wavy guilloche pattern that depicts the blue oceans. The map is wrapped around a domed skeleton formed by the longitudes and latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere that adds depth to the dial.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre timepiece is powered by the Caliber 948 which is conceived, developed, and entirely produced within the Manufacture. When the automatic movement was created, it was the first time a world-time complication had been coupled to a flying tourbillon. The Universal Tourbillon makes a complete circuit of the dial every 24 hours – the length of a mean solar day. The movement offers a power reserve of 48 hours. The timepiece is paired with an alligator leather strap with a deployant buckle. Jaeger-LeCoultre has said that it will produce only 20 examples of the watch, but the pricing has not been announced yet.
