Amanico's review of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Céleste offers an in-depth look at this celestial complication, tracing its evolution from earlier Hybris Artistica editions. This article meticulously details the aesthetic and technical enhancements of the 2019 model, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of its design, movement, and overall significance within JLC's haute horlogerie offerings. Nicolas's passion for high complications shines through, making this a valuable resource for enthusiasts.
The Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Celeste was a good surprise, in 2019, unveiled during the summer, to be precise, after the Gyrotourbillon five and the Master Grande Complication Minute Repeater Perpétuelle.
In fact, this is not a totally new watch, as I would see it is strongly inspired from the Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication introduced in 2010, but without minute repeater, and as an evolution of the MGT Tourbillon Celeste Hybris Artistica born in 2014, in a limited edition of 3 pieces, in a white gold 42 mm case.
The MGT Tourbillon Celeste Hybris Artistica:
The movement is the Cal 946.
Its dial is a blend of Guilloché Lacquered Blue and Aventurine.
And a jeweled version-which doesn't belong to the Hybris Artistica line- issued in 2014 as well
The current MGT Tourbillon Celeste is indeed very close to the Hybris Artistica version but with some notable differences:
- First of all, the Master Grande Tradition case, which is the one revisited for the Gyrotourbillon Five and the Minute Repeater Perpétuelle from last year and the Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication from this year. The former case was nice, this one is even nicer, one millimeter bigger ( 43 mm versus 42 mm for the Hybris Artistica ), and 13, 42 mm high ( versus 13, 10 mm for the Hybris Artistica ), which gives some good proportions to the watch. Its water resistance is 50 meters, which is enough for everyday life. To be complete, the case is made of white gold.
- The dial of the new Tourbillon Celeste is aesthetically close, but decorated in a different way. Cleaner than the Hybris Artistica, there is no more guilloché lacquer nor aventurine, but there is something else... The constellations are luminous!
In the daylight, and in the darkness:
The luminous dial is not only spectacular, it is also very à propos and poetic for an astronomical watch. While I am less fan of the Dauphine hands and their ridiculous amount of luminous material. I would rather see these hands seen on the MGT Grande Complication " Venezia Edition ":
The other difference, with the Tourbillon Celeste from this year is that the sun rotating around the dial is out.
- The complications are the followings: An orbital flying tourbillon depicting the sidereal time, which means that it will make a full revolution around the dial in 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4 seconds, a Zodiacal Calendar, the months, a sky chart of the northern hemisphere, and the 24 hours indication. So, they are identical to the Hybris Artistica version.
- As for the movement The Cal 946 is made of 334 parts, 35 jewels, beating at 28, 800 vibrations per hour, with a power reserve of 45 hours. You will note the silicon escape wheel and pallet fork, which is not a common solution for Jaeger Lecoultre watches. Indeed, Silicon has been used by JLC since 2007 ( Extreme Lab One ), and for a few other of their watches since then. It is the same movement than in the " Artistica ".
The german silver plates receive a pleasant sun-ray decoration / finishings. Still; I would have loved to see more of this movement, with less big plates and more bridges. And with more generous bevels.I am pleased with the JL ratchet wheel.
I was waiting for the opportunity to see this watch in the real, before writing a review, and I must say that it is much more convincing in the metal than in the official pictures.
There is more depth on the dial side and back side.
Here are my pictures:
My only regret? I would have loved to see a non tourbillon Celestial version, Even if the Tourbillon has its raison d' être, here...
To end, I found a video about this watch. Enjoy!
The link to the Video:
There are few chances you can see it in the real life, since there are only 28 made.
But if you have the opportunity, you will have a nice moment of horology!
Best,
Nicolas
Key Points from the Discussion
The 2019 Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Céleste is an evolution of the 2014 Hybris Artistica version, featuring a revisited Master Grande Tradition case that is slightly larger (43mm vs 42mm) and offers improved proportions.
The new Tourbillon Céleste retains the Caliber 946 movement, which includes a flying tourbillon, a perpetual calendar for the sidereal day, and a celestial chart.
The dial of the new model features a blend of guilloché lacquered blue and aventurine, creating a visually stunning representation of the night sky.
The watch displays the sidereal day, which is approximately 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds, and indicates the constellations of the Northern Hemisphere.
The community acknowledges JLC's prowess in high complications, viewing watches like the Tourbillon Céleste as proof of their elite status in watchmaking.
There is a shared hope among collectors that JLC will apply the same attention to detail and skill seen in their high complications to more accessible, regular production models.
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The Discussion
J
J K
Feb 17, 2021
I like the way watch looks. Thank you for the interesting write up, Nicolas.
AM
amanico
Feb 17, 2021
Thanks for looking, J K.
PR
proestak
Feb 17, 2021
΅Watches like this, is the living proof that JLC, is among the best when it comes to high complicated watches.
AM
amanico
Feb 17, 2021
Absolutely. now they have to show the same skill on some relatively affordable watches...
PR
proestak
Feb 17, 2021
+1.We will see in two months...
WA
watchme
Feb 17, 2021
The stuff of dreams!
Thanks, Nico! -Dean
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