By John Galt
Having first released the Duometre Spherotourbillon in 2012 integrating a multi-axis tourbillon into the Duometre movement based on the combination of two mechanisms each with their own functions, one for the time and the other for the complications. Both mechanisms have their own energy sources but joined by a single regulator. Everybody in the world of horology stood still in amazement, now Jaeger-LeCoultre have gone and updated it with the addition of a moon phase indicator to add more wow factor.
The white gold case is a comfortable size of 42mm so should sit nicely on-wrist; the dial is a clean and crisp silvery white with a cut away for the Spherotourbillon, Jager LeCoultre’s own creation, which is framed by three gorgeous looking curtain like steps made from nickel silver and satin finished. The main dial with gilded hands and gilded numbers at 3,6,9 and 12, now has the moon phase indicator inside it positioned between 3&6 O’Clock which Jaeger-LeCoultre say that the moon phase is so accurate that if it is kept wound would lose only one day every 3887 years.
At 12 O’Clock there is a 24hour indication with a lovely gilded hand, to the right of it is the first of two power reserve indicators which is displayed via a blued hand the power reserve for the hours, minutes and seconds. At 6 O’Clock and mirroring the 24h dial perfectly is the sub-seconds dial but this time the hand is blued and features a flyback function allowing the wearer to re-start the seconds by a push of the button at 2 O’Clock. The second power sits next to it with a gilt hand showing the power for the moon phase.
The tourbillon is mesmerising to watch with the tourbillon carriage doing a complete turn every 30 seconds with two movements combined, first is around its axis and second around another axis inclined at a 20’ angle.
The beating heart of this is their manually wound calibre 389 movement with nickel silver mainplate and bridges all assembled, crafted and decorated by hand and offering a power reserve of 50 hours.
Limited to only 75 pieces with no price available so far.
Conclusion
Jaeger-LeCoultre have managed to make an exceptional piece even better by adding a moon phase, the moon dial seems to pop out from behind the clean crisp dial and with that Spherotourbillon mesmerising you as you feel contempt to just watch it all day. This is one hypnotic piece and I for one have been hypnotised by it’s beauty and looks and I can’t wait to see it up close very soon. For more info, please visit jaeger-lecoultre.com
John Galt – Contributing Editor
John Galt caught the horology bug 4 years ago on his first visit to a London watch show and has snowballed since; John has become an avid writer and blogger of timepieces of all kinds, from everyday timepieces to modern Luxury Haute Horology, his favorite brands being HYT and Greubel Forsey that push the bounders of modern watch-making. John keeps a keen interest in the UK watch scene with their many emerging brands and timepiece’s. John Galt currently contributes watch related articles for online publications in the UK and USA. You can follow John on Twitter @johng73 Read his articles here.
