JLC Master Grande Tradition QP 8 Days Skeleton

amanico · 2014-03-03T00:09:41Z

Explore the JLC Master Grande Tradition à Quantième Perpetuel 8 Days Skeleton from SIHH 2014. Amanico details its design, historical ties, and Caliber 876 SQ movement.

amanico

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Amanico introduces the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition à Quantième Perpetuel 8 Days Skeleton, a significant release from SIHH 2014. This post explores the watch's intricate design and its nuanced connection to JLC's historical Grande Complication Pocket Watch from 1928, while also tracing its lineage through modern JLC movements.

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Here is a Watch I had to hide till now, which was present at the SIHH 2014, the Master Grande Tradition à Quantième Perpetuel 8 Days Skeleton. ( MGT QP 8 Days Skeleton ).

This Watch has been announced as a Tribute to the Grande Complication Pocket Watch from 1928, which is true, and not true.

True, because the skeleton movement with the silver grained subdials suggests, indeed, the aesthetics of the Grande Complication Pocket Watch:

The work on the movement, the addition of blue enamel surrounding the dial and the case back is certainly another undisputable glimpse to the Pocket Watch.

These are the only common points to the MGT QP 8 Days Skeleton and the Pocket Watch, as:

- The movement of the MGT QP is highly decorated by the Master Engravers of the Manufacture.

- The MGT is NOT a Grande Complication, as we have to keep in mind that the masterpiece from 1928 was a Minute Repeater, a Chronograph and a Perpetual Calendar.

Some roots can be also found in the modern production.

Let's not forget that the Cal 876, housed in the MGT QP, saw the light in 2004, in this Watch, the Master 8 Days Perpetual Antoine Lecoultre:

Another Watch has to be mentionned, the Master 8 Days Perpetual... Skeleton, unveiled in 2007.

The 8 Days Perpetual Skeleton is very interesting, when we think about the new MGT QP 8 Days Skeleton.

The MGT is also a skeleton, but it plays a more classic interpretation, and, should I say, in a more demanding decoration.

Indeed, here, it is not a simple skeleton, it is a refined one, with the work of the Master Engraver using burins to meticulously achieve the decoration of the movement.

And, if it was not enough, this Watch goes into the experimented hands of the Master Enameller.

We have a Grand Feu Champlevé enamel: The enamel is delicately applied, then fired at the heat of 800 / 820 Degrees, before being polished with diamond powder.

I have been told that only the enamel work takes... 2 days, on this MGT.

A very nice détails, the hands, which are all heated blue, and the leaf shaped hours and minutes.

Of course, the most spectacular part of the MGT is the dial, and the surrounding blue enamel.

But I must say that the case is not lacking interest.

We are far from the first MGT cases, launched in 2009 ( Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar and the Minute Repeater ), which were already a nice improvement when compared to the Master Case, with an evolution in elegance.

Have a look at the lugs, at the volume of the case, JLC is working better and better on this part of the Watch.

The case back is not bad, either... Revealing a spectacular view on the Cal 876, mounted in the Complications Horlogères workshop.

The case is in white gold, and is 42 mm big.

Let's recall that this movement is made of 260 parts, 37 jewels and beats at the pace of 28800 alternances per hour. Of course, it is a 8 days power reserve movement, and the perpetual calendar is complete: Day, date, month, year moonphase.

Some personal thoughts, now:

This is a superbly executed piece, made, realized with a lot of care.

I love a lot the case, and if I had the choice, I would go for the previous skeleton dial, the one we find in the Master 8 Days Perpetual Skeleton from 2007, but housed in the sublime case of the MGT, because I prefer modern skeleton to this more traditional execution.

But, on another side, the choice of the enamel surroundings would not be as appealing nor coherent on a modern skeleton, so it is really a matter of taste.

One regret: the choice to make it in a limited edition of 200 pièces: Given the level of finish and care of this Watch, I would rather see a much smaller production, more... exclusive. Better, a very limited production, rather than a limited edition.

Looking forward to read your comments and thoughts,

Best.

Nicolas

This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-03-03 00:23:40 This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-03-05 02:23:31

Key Points from the Discussion

The MGT case is praised for its superior proportions compared to the Master case, and its use in a 'human-sized' watch allows for better appreciation. The contributor hopes JLC will utilize this case more frequently.
The contributor, while not typically a fan of baroque skeletonization, admits its appropriateness in this watch, drawing parallels to the AP perpetual skeleton.
The watch is described as stunning, with the only suggested aesthetic improvement being the removal of the white logo screening on the crystal and placing a metal 'JL' logo on the blue enamel near 12 o'clock.
A question is raised regarding the exact identity of the Caliber 876 SQ movements in both the new MGT QP and the 'modern' version, specifically whether the sapphire discs or hands move for the perpetual calendar indications.
This is considered JLC's best QP Skeleton to date, with appreciation for the blue enamel border and the artistic treatment of the bridges on the case back. Disappointment is expressed over the discontinuation of 8-day Reverso and Master Control movements.
The author suggests that such an exclusive piece would benefit from a shorter, more limited production run (e.g., 50 or 75 pieces) to enhance its exclusivity.

The Discussion

DRMW

Mar 3, 2014

The open dial is beautiful but I think the blue enamel borders are too wide especially on a flat surface. I wonder if it is a bit better in person? -MW

moc

Mar 3, 2014

First of all,the inspiration,even if far away from the original pocket watch,is clear. I like this new 8daysQP for several reasons: 1)THE CASE,well the MGT case is superior to the master case I think,in many respects,most of all its proportions. This is the first time that the MGT case is used in a"human size"watch,hence we can appreciate it better than its previous applications that were too bulky and thick to accommodate super complicated movements. I hope JLC will use this case more and more

Marcus Hanke

Mar 3, 2014

... in my eyes, at least. And due to the much better legibility, also lightyears ahead of the 2007 skeleton. Marcus

Ruckdee

Mar 3, 2014

... the more expensive JLC models (that is to say, beyond my price level). There is hardly a thing I would change on this watch if given the opportunity to. The only way to further improve the aesthetics, in my small opinion, is to remove the white logo screening on the crystal and find a way instead to put the short "JL" logo in metal somewhere on the blue enamel part near 12 o'clock. That may be a nice touch but of course personal taste which may not be found agreeable by the target customers.

watchme

Mar 3, 2014

I DO think this is the best QP Skeleton JLC has EVER done! I like everything, including the blue enamel border (which helps it attain the extra 2mm over the non-skeletonized 40mm version). I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE JLC's back of this watch, choosing to make the bridges a piece of artwork, rather than taking away every last bit of the non-essential. As a side note: I'm DEEPLY disappointed in the demise of the 87X Reversos, as I like an 8-day movement, as well as some new Master Controls with the 8-day.

amanico

Mar 3, 2014

Look at the Pocket Watch I posted. It is even larger, it doesn't look too large. Thanks for your thoughts, Ming. Best, Nicolas

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