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Insider: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Cylindrique à Quantième Perpétuel

Inspired by the great 19th century timepieces, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Cylindrique à Quantième Perpétuel in 18K pink gold combines Jaeger-LeCoultre's historic heritage with its ultra-contemporary watchmaking expertise. A model of exquisite refinement that combines two of the greatest horological complications, a cylindrical tourbillon and a perpetual calendar. Cased in a generous 42 mm 18K pink gold case, this watch features a silvered grained dial.


Things to Know About the Watch

This fascinating complication is powered by an automatic movement and is water resistant to 50 meters. The multi-level dial is perfectly balanced with month and year indication at 12 o’clock, day of the week and moonphase indication at 3, date indication at 9 and cylindrical tourbillon opening at 6 o’clock.

To make this watch even more interesting, Jaeger-LeCoultre continues to fit this complication with one single corrector to set all the functions of the perpetual calendar, something quite unusual among other perpetual calendars in the market.

What differentiates a cylindrical tourbillon from other tourbillons is the fact the flying tourbillon in this watch is fitted with a cylindrical balance-spring, which guarantees an exceptional level of timekeeping performance. Making a full rotation every 60 seconds, the tourbillon cage on the Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Cylindrique à Quantième Perpétuel is fitted with a blued seconds indicator.

Something we love about most of the JLC perpetual calendars is that they feature a double aperture with a four-digit year indication, typically not available in other perpetual calendars in the market. Mechanically programmed until the year 2100, the Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Cylindrique à Quantième Perpétuel does not require any adjustments until then. The dial with its grainy texture is simply beautiful, along with the snailed finished of the perpetual calendar subdials and the 18K pink gold markers and subdial rings, the classic look of this timepiece is unparalleled. Perhaps the biggest downside to this perpetual calendar is the moon phase indication that is indicated via a pointer hand rather than with a disc.


The Movement

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Cylindrique à Quantième Perpétuel is powered by the in-house Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 985. This automatic movement composed of 431 parts, one winding barrel, and 49 jewels, provides a power reserve of 45 hours when fully wound while beating at a frequency of 28,800 vph. The movement fully visible via the display case back is exquisitely decorated with 'Côtes Soleillées' —a decoration developed by Jaeger-LeCoultre and reserved for their most sophisticated movements— and equipped with a very unique skeletonized 22K rose gold oscillating weight bearing a bas relief of the gold medal awarded to Jaeger-LeCoultre at the 1889 World’s Fair —Exposition Universelle— in Paris.


On the Wrist & Price

Secured by a chocolate brown alligator strap, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Cylindrique à Quantième Perpétuel ref. 5042420 wears true to its size and impeccably. Beautiful, elegant and mesmerizing are some of the words that come to mind when talking about this timepiece. The combination of a flying tourbillon fitted with a cylindrical balance-spring along with a perpetual calendar makes for a very exquisite grand complication timepiece. And for the money, it really doesn’t get any better.

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