Jaeger-LeCoultre presents the new Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon 3 Meteorite watch in a limited edition eight pieces in pink gold.
In 2013, Jaeger-LeCoultre first introduced the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon 3 to mark the Maison’s 180th anniversary.
Combining a third-generation interpretation of the Gyrotourbillon with an intriguing and highly unusual instantaneous digital display chronograph, it represents mechanical sophistication of the highest order. Now the luxury watch manufacture presents a new version of the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon 3.
This new version of Gyrotourbillon 3 harnesses the exceptional skills of the Manufacture’s Rare Handcrafts™ (Métiers Rares®) artisans to elevate the rare and precious timepiece to a new level. With various elements of the dial showcasing the traditional Rare Handcrafts™ of hand-guillochage, engraving and grand feu enamel, this new model introduces the rarely seen craft of meteorite inlay.
On the dial side, the intriguing geometric markings of the silvery-grey meteorite are complemented by the subtle glitter of deep blue aventurine and the glow of pure white grand feu enamel. This harmonious interplay of materials, colour and surface pattern is complemented by the warmth and richness of the pink gold case and dial details.
Found in Namibia, the Gibeon meteorite chosen for this watch is an iron-nickel alloy with an octahedrite crystal structure, formed by the cooling of the asteroid fragment in outer space over the course of billions of years before it crashed to earth in prehistoric times. The abstract geometric patterns of the intersecting crystal structures shimmer gently when the material catches the light, their irregular arrangement making every slice of meteorite subtly different from all others.
In addition to the meteorite inlaid on the German silver bridges, a disc of meteorite sits at the centre of the time display dial, surrounded by a ring of aventurine with applied indexes. On the chronograph display, an aventurine disc is encircled by a ring of white grand feu enamel, marked with elapsed seconds.
The Day/Night display comprises a 24-hour plate on which two gold semi-circles are applied, one each for day and night. The white day section is decorated with hand-guilloché, hand-engraved sunrays and an applied polished pink gold sun. The night section features applied polished pink gold crescent moon and stars, set on a rich blue background. Asymmetrical yet perfectly balanced. These three overlapping dials are layered, adding visual depth to the watch face.
It is on the back of the movement that the meteorite truly takes centre stage. A lively yet subtle mixture of colour and texture – blued screws, ruby jewels, the shiny aspect of the hand-chamfered and hand-polished jewel countersinks, bridges and plates, and the matt finish of the brushed borders of the German silver plates – offsets the abstract geometric patterns of the meteorite, which adorns all of the plates and bridges.
Exceedingly rare and complex, the multi-axis tourbillon mechanism of this timepiece comprises two cages, set at two different angles, turning opposite directions, at different speeds, with a blued spherical balance spring beating like a heart in their centre. In the absence of a tourbillon bridge, the cantilevered all-aluminium cages of Gyrotourbillon 3 appear to be suspended in space.
Hand-wound movement, calibre 176, incorporates a fully integrated chronograph, which displays the seconds on a traditional round dial and elapsed minutes on an instantaneously jumping digital counter.
Technical details
Model: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon 3 ‘Meteorite’ Limited Edition
Reference: Q5032441
Case
Pink gold
Dimensions: 43.5 mm
Thickness: 15.8 mm
Caseback: open
Water resistance: 50 m
Movement
Calibre: manual mechanical movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 176
Power reserve: 45 hours
Functions
Digital instant mono-pusher chronograph, hours/minutes, day/night indicator, gyrotourbillon
Dial
Aventurine, white enamel, meteorite, hand-guilloché day/night indicator
Edition
Limited to 8 pieces
