Boutique
JAEGER-LECOULTRE
Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon
3, Meteorite Dial
First seen in 2013, this always-impressive
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition
Gyrotourbillon 3 combined a multi-axis tourbillon
with a highly unusual instantaneous digital
display chronograph. This newest version adds
an artisanal dial to the multi-level technical
superlatives within it by combining hand-
guilloché, engraving and grand feu enamel with
an all-new meteorite inlay.
On the dial side, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s artists
match geometric meteorite markings with deep
blue aventurine and white grand feu enamel, all
framed by a 43.5mm pink gold case.
On the chronograph display an aventurine
disc is circled by a ring of white grand feu enamel,
marked with elapsed seconds. The Day/Night
display comprises a 24-hour plate on which two
gold semi-circles are applied, one each for day
and night. The white day section is decorated
with hand-guilloché, hand-engraved sunrays
and an applied polished pink gold sun. The night
section features applied polished pink gold cres-
cent moon and stars, set on a blue background.
On the back of the movement
Jaeger-LeCoultre creates an even more spec-
tacular stage for the meteorite. All the plates
and bridges are set with the celestial rock, nicely
offset by hand-decorated, hand-chamfered and
hand- polished jewel
countersinks, bridges and plates. This is all in
addition to the blued screws, ruby jewels and
German silver plates.
As you may known, the multi-axis tourbillon
comprises two cages, set at two different angles,
turning opposite directions, at different speeds,
with a blued spherical balance spring at the
center. Hand-wound Caliber 176 incorporates an
integrated chronograph, which displays the
seconds on a traditional round dial and elapsed
minutes on an instantaneously jumping digital
counter. Price: $550,000.
IW RATING
Design: 9 (out of 10)
Innovation: 9
Still breathtaking.
Finissage: 9
Hand-applied and spectacular.
Legibility: 8
Busy, yet fully comprehensible.
Rarity: 9
Only eight will be made using the
extraterrestrial material.
Value: 8
Pricey with niche collector base.
Overall iW rating: 52 (out of 60)
32 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | SPRING 2020