EVOLUTION
A threaded back
frames a large
sapphire window
allowing a full
appreciation of
the superb new
Calibre 770/772.
Jaeger’s Gyrolab
balance was originally tested in 2007.
Blue lacquer
oceans contrast
the applied gold
land masses in the
top-shelf version
of the new True
Second UTC.
Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Calibre 770 remains a svelte 6.57
tall even with the additional gear train of the True
Second function. A total of 270 individual components come together in a 36 jewel movement that
has a 40 hour power reserve. Geneva Waves grace
bridges held in place with counter-sunk and blued
screws under a solid 18kt gold winding rotor, now
machined from a single block of gold.
(Paul Gerber, Habring, DeWitt, Gronefeld, Arnold & Son,
on, Jaquet
nds to good
Droz) that have returned the mechanical jumping seconds
hes were also
graces. Up until now these rare dead-beat second wa tches
extraordinarily expensive, making what Jaeger has donee all that
much more impressive. Not only have they fitted their own extra
gear train for the True Second in the same height case as the previous Geophysic – they even made it less expensive than its arguably
more mundane predecessor with a retail price of $9,050 (down from
$9,800) in stainless steel ($17,500 in 18-karat pink gold).
In addition to the time/date version, JLC has also produced
a world time version dubbed the UTC. Caliber 772 powers the
new Geophysic and shows just how easily the 770 can morph into
96
WRISTWATCH | 2016
another
h ffunctionall profile.
f l From the
h ffront the
h world
ld time displays
d l
a progressively colored lacquer dial as viewed from the North Pole
with dual inner bezels displaying the time around the world.
It makes sense that JLC decided to launch these outside the
bright lights and horological overdose that is Geneva in January.
These tectonic changes at Jaeger-LeCoultre are subtle and may
take a bit more time for the press to digest, appreciate and promote.
While the new caliber 770/772 may not have the initial impact of a
multi-axis tourbillon or a new Grand Complication, this new engine
will thrive in almost any chassis and will likely become a new calling card for the brand.
An analogous moment in wristwatches might be the launch of