Jaeger Lecoultre 101 Snowdrop and Bangle. 2 new jewelry watches with fine horology content.
amanico
But here, I made an exception. Why? Because here, it is not only about jewelry!
Indeed, not only these two watches are a ture challenge in terms of fine jewelry, and you will soon understand why, but they are also, or should I say mainly, an object of horology.
These two new models house the smallest calibre ever made, the Cal 101, which is 14 x 4, 8 mm big and 3, 4 mm high. Yes, you read well, 14 x 4, 8 mm big... A volume of 0, 2 Cm Cube!
To give you an idea of its size, here are two pictures:
And what adds to its extraordinary challenge, this Calibre was made since... 1929!
It beats at 21, 600 alternances per hour, and offers a power reserve of 33 hours. It is made of 98 parts, versus the 78 parts of the original Cal 101.
That being said, let's see each of these marvels.
- THE 101 SNOWDROP:
Diamonds everywhere...
With a case which is only 18, 35 mm x 5, 98 mm, don't expect to read the time easily. The purpose is elsewhere, here. It is made for ladies for who having a watch with great horology is important, in a jewelry execution. Let's guess that these ladies will spend more time admiring time than reading it on its delicious opaline dial.
Made in rose gold, this watch is set with 904 diamonds ( yes, you read it well, 904 ) for a total of 20, 4 Carat.
Isn't that close up terrific?
Can you imagine the skill it requires to insert all these diamonds? I had the opportunity and the privilege to visit the jewelry workshop at the Manufacture and to admire the work of these artists, it is unbelievable.
To give you an idea of that challenge, here are some other pictures of the work in progress:
As a bonus, some drawings of the 101 Snowdrop:
- THE 101 BANGLE:
Even more extravagant, the 101 Bangle certainly is, with its less classic, not to say spectacular shape:
The case has the same dimensions as the 101 Snowdrop ( 18, 35 x 5, 98 mm ), with the same observations about the opaline dial sunk into this ocean of diamonds.
The whole watch, in rose gold too, has even more diamonds, here 996, representing 19, 7 Carats.
I would say that the name-Bangle- is very well chosen, even if it doesn't give an exact idea of what it is, in reality. It is much more than a bracelet, it is a real work of Art, in its shapes.
Like for the Snowdrop, the diamonds setting is spectacular:
And the legibility is not better, either, but, once again, this is not the purpose of this watch.
Here are some drawings:
If I had to choose one among these 2, I would favor the Bangle, for its superior artistic dimension.
I could take some quick pictures:
The Bangle alone:
And the 101 Bangle on the 101 Snowdrop:
The only drawback, but it was expectable, the price, almost half a Gyrotourbillon Five, but I can reasonably bet that the final clients won't be the same...
Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts,
Best,
Nicolas
Comments:
lm6 August 10th, 2020-02:29
Marvelous craftsmanship! The legibility on the other hand...... But of course I know that is not of importance in a watch like this.
PoyFR August 10th, 2020-02:50
JLC is has amazing jewel’s skills Never leaving you indifferent. I am still dreaming (for my wife) of their jeweled Watches présentation at La Mostra du Venezia (I think it was 2009-2010), I was jaw dropped and still I’m
amanico August 10th, 2020-02:52
I took a couple of pictures of another one which I will post later, F may like it. But I agree, there is such an amount of skill which lets you in awe, even if you are not into jeweled watches.
kev09 August 10th, 2020-04:04
Great post and superb pictures. It’s really fascinating to see how these beautiful pieces are made up. The skill is amazing. The drawings are very charming too; they would look nice framed as a decorative set on a wall. Thanks for showing these. Regards Kev.
amanico August 10th, 2020-04:35
Thanks for commenting, Kev. I must say that my visit at the Jewelry Workshop impressed me a lot, too.
Uncle Chico August 10th, 2020-04:59
This may sound like a contradiction but compared to other brands offering highly jeweled watches, these are refined and almost discreet.
amanico August 10th, 2020-05:40
Not a contradiction at all. It is all about class and elegance. Thanks, Uncle.
FabR August 10th, 2020-05:30
Thanks for the terrific photoreport Nico, really a high level of craftmanship and attention to details! Of course I'm not the intended audience of similar watches... ...but I don't mind them at all on a woman, with the obvious understanding that they are, first and foremost, jewels -- though with the added bonus of a top watch brand behind them, hence also nontrivial horologically ;-) Cheers.
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