Jaeger-LeCoultre Minute Repeaters Review

amanico · 2016-04-25T00:00:09Z

Amanico reviews Jaeger-LeCoultre minute repeaters. Explore the auditory experience and technical challenges of these haute horology complications.

amanico

WPS member · Jaeger-LeCoultre forum

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Amanico offers an exclusive glimpse into Jaeger-LeCoultre's Grandes Complications Workshop, detailing a rare opportunity to experience a curated selection of minute repeaters. His post captures the essence of these intricate timepieces, emphasizing the unparalleled auditory experience that defines true haute horology. This article distills the community's reactions to this unique encounter.

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Do you want to hear some Minute Repeaters - There are some which are available at the Grandes Complications Workshop.

This is the kind of proposition you can't refuse, even if the program during my visit was more than busy.

So, you take the lift to Heaven, a kind of horological version of " Stairway to Heaven ", just the time to psychologically prepare yourself to the acoustical shock, and here you are...

Christian Laurent, the Master Watchmaker is waiting for me with a big smile on his face, as he well knows my unconditional love for striking watches.

Indeed, a few years ago, he set my Master Minute Repeater Titanium according to my desires, and we had many discussions about Minute Repeaters.

He prepared a breathtaking selection of watches:

- A Master Minute Repeater in platinum, black dial, Boutique Edition. It has been years I didn't see one!

- A Master Grande Tradition Minute Repeater ( MGT MR ) in Titanium:

- A Master Grande Tradition Minute Repeater in Rose Gold:

- A Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication ( MGT GC ) :

- The Hybris Mechanica ( HM ) à Grande Sonnerie:

- And last but not least, the all new Hybris Mechanica 11:

The one who " plays " in the loudest way ( 70 Db! ) is the Master Minute Repeater in platinum. I must say that this is the best MMR in platinum I've ever heard.

The tone is matte, due to the platinum case, the richness of the hours and minutes is 5 and 5, and the duration is 197 milliseconds.

All the others are reaching a lower volume, circa 60 Db with different levels of duration and richness.

The MGT MR in titanium has a level of duration of 156 milliseconds, with a richness of... 5 and 10 ( ! ).

The MGT MR in rose gold has a duration of 213 milliseconds, with a richness of 5 and 7.

The MGT Grande Complication has a duration of 158 milliseconds, with a richness of 9 and 7.

I will update these datas once the Hybris Mechanica 11 and the Hybris Mechanica à Grande Sonnerie are totally adjusted, of course, but I had the pleasure to listen to them.

The HM à Grande Sonnerie is unbelievable, playing on 4 notes. An unforgettable experience. Things have to be set, as the watchmaker still has to spend several months to adjust it and to check it before the delivery of the watch to the client.

The volume is maybe a tad lower than the others, but the richness is here.

As for the HM 11, JLC has still some time before finalizing the watch. For example, the time out between the hours, quarters and minutes is not supressed, already, but strongly reduced.

The quality of the sound, on the " 11 " is amazing, and the " music " is not polluted by the regulator which is very quiet. Promising!

You can truly hear the acoustical differences between them.

That was what I listened to in... 2014. Since then, and in particular since 2015, the hierarchy has changed a bit.

Jaeger Lecoultre worked and improved the sound of the Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication.

They managed to get an amazing outcome: They made it sound even higher, and with more richness.

If you have the opportunity to listen to them, when you are at the Manufacture, don't miss it, it is an unforgettable experience.

Best,
Nicolas.

Key Points from the Discussion

The author notes that digital recordings, especially on platforms like YouTube, cannot faithfully reproduce the nuanced sound quality of a minute repeater due to recording and playback limitations.
A key question arises regarding how different case metals influence the sound resonance of a minute repeater, with a specific mention of F.P. Journe's use of steel for its acoustic properties.
One contributor suggests that platinum cases produce the best sound for minute repeaters, in addition to being aesthetically pleasing.
Several community members expressed a strong desire for audio recordings to accompany the visual review, highlighting the challenge of conveying the minute repeater experience without sound.

The Discussion

dms

Apr 25, 2016

but something is missing ... a little "je-ne-sais-quoi"... ... ahh: The AUDIO !!!

amanico

Apr 25, 2016

The big issue with youtube sound files is that, unless you are in a professional studio recording, the sound will not be faithfully recorded. Moreover, even if you have a good sound file, youtube will " smooth " the quality in a low level. To end, your own computer ( not yours specifically, but every computer ) doesn't have a good audio. So the sound will not represent, faithfully, the qualities of the flaws of a minute repeater. So, I gave up. Nothing replaces the test in the real. Best, Nicola

watchme

Apr 25, 2016

to the comparative sound files! You know, the ones where they are all in the same box with the same distance from the mic, etc.! Oh, well. I just need to be invited back to the Vallee, or take a trip with my bride of 25 years. -Dean

amanico

Apr 25, 2016

I think so... The May 2009 Edition... Best, Dean. Nicolas

Sandgroper

Apr 25, 2016

I can't see many of the images, it says the image was linked incorrectly!!! Cheers Francois

Mitch K

Apr 27, 2016

It even more special. Does one metal broadcast the sound better then others or is the construction the key? I believe that FPJ put their repeater in a steel (?) case because they felt the sound was more resonant I\'m interested in your take and experience. Cheers

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