Unveiled at Watches and Wonders, in Hong Kong, in September 2014, the Jaeger Lecoultre Rendez Vous Minute Repeater Ivy is the second automatic watch housing this complication, after the Hybris Mecanica 11, introduced in the catalogue 8 months before.
This Watch was not seriously discussed. Maybe because we only had press pictures and files.
We recently had the opportunity to see it in the real, during a quick trip at the Manufacture, and better... To play with it.
So, now we can can seriously talk about it, as it deserves.
When the Rendez Vous was born, a few years ago, I didn't pay a lot of interest to it, maybe because it is a lady watch, which is, let's say it straight, stupid.
Stupid because for once, we have a nice case, whose lugs remind me, somehow, those of the Geophysic.
Stupid because the dials are very nice.
Stupid because you can have a good movement in a Lady Watch ,and not only Quartz. This is not because you are a lady that you never pay interest or attention to what is inside your watch!
Ok, we, men, are not in for such watches... But are you so sure? I was told, at my great surprise, by the Manufacture, that some gentlemen bought the watch...For themselves!
Back to the Ivy Minute Repeater, now.
This is not the first Rendez Vous without a second crown linked to the Rendez Vous ( appointment ) time. Indeed, the Rendez Vous Night and Day, the Night and Day Tourbillon and th Perpetual Calendar didn't have this Rendez Vous reminder, which intrigued me, as it seemed to be aprt of the reason behind the name of this family.... Curious.
While the rest of this time keeper has all the characteristics of the Rendez Vous. Till these " sword " hands.
1/ The case.
The Rendez Vous Family offers 3 sizes of cases: 36, 37, 5 and 39 mm. For the Ivy, JLC opted for the 39 mm case.
The welded lugs are typical, and make you strangely think about the Geophysic. Fat, short, with a lot of character.
The upper part of the left side of the case shows a trigger. Which is not a trigger; but a monopusher located between 9 and 10 à clock, as you can see on this picture:
This pusher is said to be a big improvement, compared to the traditional trigger, as you cannot re activate the minute repeater when it is working, which represents a risk for the complication.
Now, a minute repeater lover knows that he doesn't have to acitvate the trigger when the minute repeater is chiming. It is a safety more for those who discover the complication, rather than for the fans.
The case, lugs and bezel are paved with 548 diamonds. Jaeger Lecoultre chose white gold for the case, which is water resistant to 30 meters, here. Enough to resist to water when you wash your hands.
To be complete, the Ivy Minute Repeater has a see throuch case back, to allow you to have a look on the movement.
2/ The dial.
The dial of the Ivy is certainly one of the strong points of this model.
Exquisite, sophisticated, very well executed, it is dign of admiration.
Here you have, from a plate made of white gold:
- A soleillé guilloché finish,
- Blue enamel,
- Snow setting for the diamonds representing the ivy leaves.
Nothing less. Quite impressive.
3/ The movement.
As written at the very beginning of this article, the Ivy houses the second automatic movement from Jaeger Lecoultre displaying a minute repeater, the first being the Hybris Mechanica Calibre.
This movement whose reference is Cal 942A, beats at 28 800 vibrations per hour, and offers an autonomy of 43 hours.
Installed in the Ivy, without its rotor:
Now, with its rotor:
You will better see it with the picture I took:
And here, the dial and the back side together:
Two détails on the " architecture " of this minute repetear:
- Trebuchet Hammers, which have been inaugurated in the Hybris Mechanica à Grande Sonnerie and in the Master Grande Tradition à Grande Complication, in 2009.
- The Crystal gongs are linked to the sapphire glass.
These two technical solutions, which are very " JLC " allow the minute repeater to sound loud enough and deliver a quite rich sound.
I tested it several times, during my last visit at the Manufacture, and the sound is quite good, even if I find it a bit " agressive ", but the Manufacture told me that they were still working on it.
So, I will not judge the acoustical qualities of the prototype, but of the definitve watch, when it is available.
Conclusion:
With the Rendez Vous, Jaeger Lecoultre has a very nice family of watches for ladies, in my opinion.
Made with great care, the dials are generally very appealing and pleasant.
The Ivy is not an exception.
I am more reserved on the movement, not on its construction, which is undisputable, but on its finish.
That is the problem of an automatic movement. It can be very interesting and nicely finished, like in the Hybris Mecanica 11, which is very original, with its rotor " hidden " below the dial.
In the Ivy,it is quite good looking, but I expect more when it is linked to such a prestigious complication like a minute repeater.
It is the opinion of a minute repeater and a manual movement fan, though.
It seems to show that there is a move from manual to automatic minute repeater movements...
I will let you judge by yourself, and wait for your comments on that point.
I would not end this article with a few real pictures I took of this " Ivy ".
Looking forward to read your comments and thoughts on that watch,
Best.
Nicolas
