By Jonathan Kopp
Here is a very interesting watch. Personally, I loved to try it and to discover this timepiece from all angles. At first glance, the Duomètre à Quantième Lunaire is a classical piece of watchmaking with an elegant dial that offers great readability. But the case hides a movement with a huge complexity that has an unprecedented accuracy based on the Dual-Wing concept.
The term lunar calendar designates a watch that indicates, the date “calendar” – and the Moon phases “lunar”. The name Duomètre, invented by Jaeger-LeCoultre, says that the movement has two barrels and sets of train independent one of the other, but regulated by the same balance. In another way we can say that this watch has two hearts but only one brain. This principle, at the basis of the Dual-Wing concept specific to the Duomètre, uses a first part, dedicated solely to the accuracy of the watch, and a second dedicated to the functions: hours , minutes, seconds, calendar, and also to display the moon phases.
The Duomètre collection focuses on the research on increasing precision, one of its distinguishing marks being the presence of a “second foudroyante” positioned at 6 o’clock.
The jumping second measures to 1/6 of a second, and thus makes a turn on itself per second.
The manufacture caliber JLC 381 is 7.25mm thick, with 40 jewels, beating at 21,600 bph, and offers 50 hours of power reserve for each of its two barrels. The power reserve is given by two hands at 5 and 7 o’clock. The movement offers a beautiful depth and its complexity would require one to spend hours to admire every detail.
Jaeger-LeCoultre offers to its Duomètre Quantième Lunaire a design at the height of the mechanical prowess that it proposes. The dial has a grainy texture, similar to that of the paper, that gives a really nice effect when playing with the light. Moreover, it’s really sober, elegant and gives perfect readability of all the functions.
ref. 60435E1 18k white gold
The qualities of the finishing are absolutely stunning.
Well, that’s a very nice watch and definitely for a reasonable price given its complications. The watch is priced around €30,000, which is quite absured when you see the work that JLC has done to create this extraordinary timepiece. Moreover, it’s a real dress watch thanks to the beautiful 18k pink gold case that measures 40.5mm in diameter and 13.2mm in thickness.
That’s my kind of watch, a sleek and minimalistic design that’s actually really complicated. Even if it’s not easy to set all the information, I’d love to play with it everyday. For more info, please visit jaeger-lecoultre.com
JONATHAN KOPP – CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Jonathan Kopp has an avid enthusiasm for timepieces of all genre, from vintage timepieces to modern Luxury Haute Horology. His preference goes to small and independent high-end watchmakers. He loves the difference rather than classicism, although if he admits to being in love with several ultra-classics pieces. Jonathan was caught by the passion for watchmaking there are almost 6 years. For about 5 years, he wanders in this industry and was Communication-Marketing-PR Consultant for several brands. He has worked for over 2 years as a freelance for the development of the Swiss brand Arthur Oskar Stampfli (AOSWatches). To keep in touch with Jonathan you can follow him on the various social networks: Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Read his articles here.
