Along with two other new Duometre timepieces, Jaeger-LeCoultre presents the new Duometre Quantieme Lunaire ref. Q604848J —Moon Phase complication. This is also the first Duometre piece to ever be offered in stainless steel. Equipped with a gorgeous convex blue dial, paired with a new case size and design, accentuated by its box-glass sapphire crystal, the new Duometre Quantieme Lunaire is timeless looking.
With their invention of the Duometre in 2007, the engineers and watchmakers at La Grande Maison solved a fundamental problem where to operate a complication, this must draw from the energy that is supplied from the barrel to the escapement via the gear train, interrupting the perfect regularity of the power supply and compromising timekeeping precision. By effectively separating the power supply into two ‘power streams’ with one barrel and gear train for timekeeping and a separate barrel and gear train for the complication —both linked to a single escapement— the Duometre system guarantees absolute constancy of the power supply, regardless of whether a complication is operating or not.
Things to Know About the Watch
Equipped with a comfortable and more wearable 42.5 mm case, the case is a complex structure of 34 separate parts and the lugs are screwed rather than integrated, to enable multiple finishing techniques. A mixture of polished, satin-brushed, and micro-blasted surfaces creates a fascinating play of light with every movement of the wrist. Its case design is based on a savonette —a small disc of soap— with rounded contours that can be cradled in the palm of a hand. With its convex crystal and gracefully rounded bezel, the new Duometre case expresses this literal definition very well. The crown, too, has been redesigned, with deep and rounded notches that make it a joy to handle.
Emphasizing the precision of the calibre 381, a distinctive element of the Duometre Quantieme Lunaire dial is the seconde foudroyante hand, which whirls continuously in a sub-dial at 6 o’clock. Making a complete revolution in one second —versus a ‘standard’ seconds hand, which rotates in 60 seconds— with six ‘jumps’ per rotation, the foudroyante hand makes it possible to observe intervals of precisely one-sixth of a second.
The convex deep blue dial of the Duometre Quantieme Lunaire, with its long and very fine hands —one of the signature elements of all Duometre watches, as is the symmetrical layout— with three sub-dials forming an inverted pyramid; the sub-dial at 3 o’clock shows the time, the sub-dial at 9 o’clock displays the date with a hand and the moon phase set against a blue sky. The seconde foudroyante sub-dial nestles beneath them at 6 o’clock flanked by the two power reserve indications for the two sources of power.
The dial is made in several sections, with different finishes to create visual interest and contrast. The sectorized dial is finished in a variety of styles: opaline —top of the dial—, satin-finish —center of counters—, circular blue —around the counters—, and sunray for the power reserves. Inspired by the aesthetic of the sector dials that were featured on historic timepieces, the broad ring encircling each is sunray-brushed. The convex curve of the dial perimeter closely follows the contour of the glass-box sapphire crystal that protects it, and the sub-dials are slightly sunken into its surface, increasing the sense of visual depth.
The Movement
Powering the new JLC Duometre Quantieme Lunaire is the manual wound calibre 381. This manual wound movement is fully developed by Jaeger-Le Coultre and is fitted with two barrels that are wound by a single crown. Rotating the crown clockwise —forward— winds the barrel which provides power for the timekeeping function and rotating the crown counterclockwise —backward— winds the second barrel, which provides power for the complications. This 414-part movement with 42 jewels provides a power reserve of 50 hours while beating at a frequency of 21,600 vph. The movement is exquisitely finished with Côtes de Genève Rayonantes, chamfered bridges, and blued screws.
On the Wrist & Price
On the wrist, thanks to its smaller case size, the Duometre Duometre Quantieme Lunaire wears extremely well and is less bulky than its predecessors. With its blue dial and stainless steel case, the new interpretation of the Duometre Quantieme Lunaire lends a decidedly contemporary air to a technically sophisticated timepiece that looks incredible on any wrist.
Sticker Price USD 44,300. For more info on Jaeger-LeCoultre click here.
