Renowned for its horological mastery and its creative talent, Jaeger-LeCoultre now wishes to share the fruits of its expertise with a broader public. This is why it is introducing an original collection with a pure, uncluttered design, driven by a new Haute Horlogerie calibre encapsulating the inventive spirit of the Manufacture. In 1958, the International Geophysical Year, Jaeger-LeCoultre created a chronometer for scientists on mission. Capable of withstanding the magnetic fields of the North Pole while losing nothing of its formidable precision, its overriding characteristic was extreme resistance. The new Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic Universal Time with its 41.6 mm x 11.84 case, is available in either stainless steel or 18K pink gold. This new watch is fitted with a stunning dial that features a planisphere where the sea is depicted with subtly graded lacquered shades of blue, while the engraved continents are graced with a magnificent sunburst finish.
The compelling Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic Universal Time enables simultaneous readings of the time in all 24 time zones by means of its mobile disc. The city disc with its perfectly readable names is fixed so as to help users get their bearings. The eye soon becomes accustomed to seeing London at 6 o’clock and Hong Kong at 2 o’clock. Epitomizing an absolute determination to promote simplification, the time is adjusted via the crown and no longer with a push button. Once the universal time has been set, there is no need to adjust it while crisscrossing the world. Travelers need only adjust their own time. Local time is automatically adjusted simply by moving the hour hand forwards or backwards, independently of the minutes and seconds to as to avoid any loss of precision. The vibrant, graphic Geophysic Universal Time is adjusted in an extremely intuitive manner. The crown in its neutral position winds the movement, while position 1 serves to set the jumping hours corresponding to the city where the wearer is currently located, as well as the date, and position 2 controls the hours and minutes.
The movements driving the new Geophysic collection, the automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibres 770 —powering the Geophysic True Second we published here— and the 772 —powering the Geophysic Universal time—, are synonymous with high precision and mechanical beauty. These calibres called upon the talents of the most highly specialized engineers of the Research & Development division within the Manufacture. The strength of their expertise and their imagination drives their authentic capacity for innovation. Thus, the Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 772 features an atypical balance wheel featuring a non-circular configuration that required lengthy research in order to reduce air friction. Named the Gyrolab, this device was initially developed in a laboratory version back in 2007 to equip the Master Compressor Extreme Lab 1 watch. It took eight years to transition from this confidential version to one that could be incorporated into an entire watch line. Geophysic is the first collection to enjoy the full benefits of this key breakthrough and its determining influence on the precision of the watch.
For Jaeger-LeCoultre, mechanical performance is meaningless if it is not matched by beauty. At first glance, the calibre reveals its relationship to the characteristic line of automatic movements from the Grande Maison. The gaze then becomes aware of the more generous volumes, and of the powerful proportions of the bridges. These broad surfaces provide ample space for a forceful interpretation of the Côtes de Genève motif. The infinite time, energy and patience devoted to the finishes of the Geophysic® collection are epitomised in the way this calibre catches the light.
The remarkable calibres driving the new Geophysic line are the first to feature an oscillating weight —crafted from a single block of solid gold— bearing the ‘anchor’ motif —itself echoing the shape of a escapement lever— that is also the Jaeger-LeCoultre logo. Strategically cut out and more open than a classic weight, it enables the eye to reconstruct the movement that it generously reveals in the course of its rotations. These calibres exude a resolutely technical aura, much like a car engine built to ensure optimal performance. They deliver a degree of reliability and precision certified by the rigorous “1000 Hours Control” that Jaeger-LeCoultre is the only Manufacture to implement. Despite the sophisticated nature of these mechanisms, they are both functional and easily adjustable by merely positioning the crown. Here, Jaeger-LeCoultre transposes the philosophy of the namesake historical model into a resolutely contemporary watch.
The new automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 772 is composed of 274 components and 36 jewels and it provides a power reserve of 40 hours when fully wound while beating at a frequency of 28,800 vph.
The watch is fitted with a brown alligator strap with pin buckle for the 18K pink gold model ref. Q810.25.20 and a black alligator strap with folding clasp for the stainless steel version ref. Q810. 84.20.
Sticker Price $15,000 USD for stainless steel and $25,000 USD for 18K pink gold. For more info on Jaeger-LeCoultre click here.
