By Jovan Krstevski
Times indeed are changing… and so are watchmakers’ marketing strategies and it’s all for the better. There are only winners here, both for the manufactures and the consumers. The luxury market is now more accessible than ever prompting Jaeger-LeCoultre to propose a model exclusively available through its online boutique. The watch in question is a limited version based on the Geophysic True Second, a “Seconde Morte” watch introduced back in 2015 featuring a particular blue dial.
The Geophysic collection reemerging in 2014 is inspired by science and technology. Its iconic and enriched with successive models that improve on its true nature with regards to technological innovations. Its rebirth in 2014 is quickly followed by the 2015 Geophysic that became part of the regular JLC catalogue featuring 2 main models with an additional tourbillon model. This is important to mention because the current limited edition features the same rare and unusual complication which is the “true second“, “dead-beat second” or “seconde morte“. What this does is that this specific display of the second hand doesn’t sweep but ticks once per second achieving the exact second hence we get the “true second” name. The mechanics of this tech is very interesting.
Going deeper into the history of the watch, it was first released in 1958 for the International Geophysical Year, with its myriad of scientific discoveries and explorations. Its scientific history even reaches to the North Pole – that being, it was worn by Captain Anderson, the first man to lead an expedition under the North Pole. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic True Second now pays tribute to this past, a testament to it being built around accuracy with its “seconde morte” tech. It’s also worth noting that the true second display’s true purpose is to make reading time more precise.
Moreover, when the hand jumps every second it always gets perfectly aligned with the second markers. The mechanism is rather simple but very efficient as it doesn’t affect the amplitude of the balance despite the strong force needed to make the hand jump 60 times a minute. JLC also added additional hairspring placed near the axis of the seconds hand which charges and unlocks once per second in order to create the jump of the seconds hand.
A notable distinction in the Limited Edition Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic True Second is its vivid ocean blue dial with sun-ray pattern replacing the classical white dial. Everything else follows the standard version particularly the 39.6 mm stainless steel case featuring angular surfaces and tapered short lugs. Another specificity of the watch are the luminous dots applied on the inner flange around the dial. The dial appears bigger thanks to its thin bezel. Moreover, the markers and hands are all executed in silver with the central cross nodding to the original 1958 Geophysic model.
Powering the watch is the same self-winding in-house calibre 770. It can be admired through the exhibition caseback, particularly its unique Gyrolab balance wheel. It replicates the Jaeger-LeCoultre anchor symbol and improves accuracy by reducing air-friction. The solid pink gold rotor is also seen on the caseback.
Finally, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic True Second Limited Edition wears on a patinated brown calfskin strap with steel pin buckle. It’s limited to 100 pieces and only retails online for USD 9,900.
For more info, please visit jaeger-lecoultre.com
