Comments:
JLC Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication
On a previous
visit to the Jaeger LeCoultre Beverly Hills Boutique I had the pleasure
of handling a very special grand complication, the JLC Master Grande
Tradition Grande Complication. This watch was
introduced two years ago by Jaeger LeCoultre at SIHH 2010 and was the
first grand complication presented in the Master Grand Tradition
collection. JLC incorporated three complications that
showcased their watchmaking expertise: a minute repeater, a flying
tourbillon, and a zodiac calendar.
I made this quick video to show the overall dimensions and views of the classically shaped round 18K white gold case.
The movement is a manual wind JLC caliber 945 made of 527 parts. Caliber 945 has to 2 barrels, beats at 28,800 vph and has a power reserve of 48 hours. The movements height is fairly thick at 12.62mm.
The Master Grande Tradition is fitted with a transparent sapphire crystal that proudly shows off the JLC 945 caliber. You can clearly see the large JLC 'trebuchet hammer'.
It's a little hard to tell from my photos but the movement components are decorated in a sunburst pattern along with circular graining and satin brushed finishing in various areas. I love how JLC finished the movement with blued screws to add a nice visual contrast.
Here's a video with a closer look at the dial and the flying tourbillon:
The dial is just mesmerizing to look at. It has this beautiful iridescent blue color with engraved stars and heavenly celestial space. The flying tourbillon rotates around the dial and completes the full rotation once every 12 hours. This tourbillon is not just a regular tourbillon but it allows the sidereal time to be tracked, which is nearly 4 minutes shorter than the solar day.
If you look closely near the edges of the dial there is a small golden sun that rotates around the outer edges of the dial with the zodiac signs and the indications for the twelve months in the year. This represents mean solar time.
The flying tourbillon utilizes an advanced silicium-escapement that was specially developed by JLC for use with a titanium cage. The whole tourbillon mechanism consists of 73 parts with a 12.42mm diameter and 3.85mm height.
The JLC Master Grande Tradition has a minute repeater mechanism. Usually the sound of a repeater gong is enhanced by the case itself. However Jaeger LeCoultre's master watchmakers created the 'crystal gong' where the gongs are attached to a layer of metallic foil coated on the watches sapphire glass. The repeater is activated by a sliding lever on the left hand side of the case and activates two small hammers. JLC named these the 'trebuchet hammer' system and basically produces a strong, clean, clear and loud tone. I wish I could have recorded the audio of the sonnerie however there were just too many people around to get a good recording.
The front of the watch has a slightly domed sapphire glass and even though it is large at 44mm in diameter, the curved sloping bezel makes it look smaller than it actually is. The Master Grande Tourbillon is still a thick watch at 15.6mm.
This is truly an amazing watch and I want to thank the wonderful JLC BH Boutique staff again for their warm hospitality and for allowing me to handle this extraordinary timepiece.
Regards,
ED-209
I made this quick video to show the overall dimensions and views of the classically shaped round 18K white gold case.
The movement is a manual wind JLC caliber 945 made of 527 parts. Caliber 945 has to 2 barrels, beats at 28,800 vph and has a power reserve of 48 hours. The movements height is fairly thick at 12.62mm.
The Master Grande Tradition is fitted with a transparent sapphire crystal that proudly shows off the JLC 945 caliber. You can clearly see the large JLC 'trebuchet hammer'.
It's a little hard to tell from my photos but the movement components are decorated in a sunburst pattern along with circular graining and satin brushed finishing in various areas. I love how JLC finished the movement with blued screws to add a nice visual contrast.
Here's a video with a closer look at the dial and the flying tourbillon:
The dial is just mesmerizing to look at. It has this beautiful iridescent blue color with engraved stars and heavenly celestial space. The flying tourbillon rotates around the dial and completes the full rotation once every 12 hours. This tourbillon is not just a regular tourbillon but it allows the sidereal time to be tracked, which is nearly 4 minutes shorter than the solar day.
If you look closely near the edges of the dial there is a small golden sun that rotates around the outer edges of the dial with the zodiac signs and the indications for the twelve months in the year. This represents mean solar time.
The flying tourbillon utilizes an advanced silicium-escapement that was specially developed by JLC for use with a titanium cage. The whole tourbillon mechanism consists of 73 parts with a 12.42mm diameter and 3.85mm height.
The JLC Master Grande Tradition has a minute repeater mechanism. Usually the sound of a repeater gong is enhanced by the case itself. However Jaeger LeCoultre's master watchmakers created the 'crystal gong' where the gongs are attached to a layer of metallic foil coated on the watches sapphire glass. The repeater is activated by a sliding lever on the left hand side of the case and activates two small hammers. JLC named these the 'trebuchet hammer' system and basically produces a strong, clean, clear and loud tone. I wish I could have recorded the audio of the sonnerie however there were just too many people around to get a good recording.
The front of the watch has a slightly domed sapphire glass and even though it is large at 44mm in diameter, the curved sloping bezel makes it look smaller than it actually is. The Master Grande Tourbillon is still a thick watch at 15.6mm.
This is truly an amazing watch and I want to thank the wonderful JLC BH Boutique staff again for their warm hospitality and for allowing me to handle this extraordinary timepiece.
Regards,
ED-209
Thanks for sharing Ed.
Jerome was in SG about 1-2 years back and he brought along this piece. I remembered the excitement and immidiately after his presentation, I moved swiftly to asked if I could have the "1st hand".
I had it in my hand and it was quite hefty. Of course it has to be with all the complications!
The sound from the repeater was loud enough to go across the room IF it was dead silent.
cheers
PAt
Very cool that you got to see it first hand
Hi Pat,
I agree with you, the sound was incredible loud. Thanks for checking out the pics and video.
Regards,
ED-209
I agree with you, the sound was incredible loud. Thanks for checking out the pics and video.
Regards,
ED-209
A piece of Poetry.
The only thing I don't like is the dauphine hands... I don't feel they are at their place here, on such a dial.
This detail apart, the dial is just fabulous.
And if you found that the MMR sounds loud, the MGT GC is a neat step above.
A great watch.
Best,
Nicolas
The dial is amazing
Thanks Nicholas for your thoughts on Master Grande Tradition.
Regards,
ED-209
Regards,
ED-209
really regret not making to the event at the Boutique..
probably the only chance in my lifetime to see this piece of art...
fantastic photos...
and if Nico is right..the gong must be heavenly...
There's always awesome pieces whenever we visit
Hi ocwatching,
Hope to see you at a future JLC BH Boutique event.
Regards,
ED-209
Hope to see you at a future JLC BH Boutique event.
Regards,
ED-209
Thank you for sharing...
this with us and those beautifully taken pictures.
If we looked at the limited version (left) and compare that with the one that you have shown, you will notice several changes to the dial.
The differences are in the font of the months. The are now Italian for the obvious reason.
It is a great watch to play with and to study the dial and movement but it is not such a comfortable watch to wear if you have a small wrist.
The heft of the watch is very noticeable, as well as the height of the watch, when you strapped it on your wrist.
Then again most modern watches with some kind of complications will be of similar dimensions.
There seems to be a couple of version of this watch. I was extremely lucky to have seen both the limited and the unique (Venice) version of the MGTGC together.
Limited (left) Unique (right)
a. The individual day indication (on the outmost of the dial) is now clearer and with a slight longer index for every 1st of the month.
b. The font/size and wording for the month are also changed for clarity. They are now bigger and easier to read. The months are indicated in French.
c. The dial area near the tourbillon are no longer marked with individual minutes indication line radiating from the centre of the tourbillon. I guess this helps to clear the area to allow the sky chart to stand out more. Lines at every five minutes (hour position) remained.
d. The symbol for sun. This is now bigger and the new design allows easier reading of the day, of course with the help of a loupe it would be much easier.
The movement too had some minor changes. I did compare the picture that you have shown above and noticed there are some small differences. Part of the top plate is slightly reshaped and one element sported a new finish. Without any knowledge on movement design, I am unsure if this is only a cosmetic change.
As for the Venice Edition.
Venice Edition
The differences are in the font of the months. The are now Italian for the obvious reason.
The hands are also more classical than the Ltd version.
The skychart is smaller - to accommodate the Enamel Zodiac ring.
The minute "indicators" for the tourbillon is back again. I think it is because the area is now no occupied by the sky chart.
And the engraving at the side of the case.
In my opinion, the skychart on the dial is more "symbolic" than practical, particularly the Venice version.
It is so small - there is not enough space for the names of the various constellation (which you can find on the Limited version).
Still the watch offers so much interesting features.
These MGTGCs are not only meant to be enjoyed visually, they are also very nice acoustically.
The crystal gong together with the trebuchet hammers really make a difference in sound volume.
Just one advice - close your windows before you activate the minute repeater.
In addition to avoiding the watch from flying out of the window - you can also enjoy the sound in a quieter setting.
/W72
Wow, the limited and the unique versions of the MGTGC
Hi W72,
Wow, you have some incredible pics of the MGTGC. I learned something new and didn't know about the limited and unique versions from Venice. Thank you so much for posting the pics and all the wonderful details of these two very unique pieces.
Regards,
ED-209
Wow, you have some incredible pics of the MGTGC. I learned something new and didn't know about the limited and unique versions from Venice. Thank you so much for posting the pics and all the wonderful details of these two very unique pieces.
Regards,
ED-209
Hi ED
Sorry if I have muddle things up in my post.
What I meant to say is that the "Limited" edition is actually the regular edition that JLC now listed in their website and I limits to 75 pieces (i think).
It is not linked to the Venice Film festival and hence not a "Venice" piece, as I may have inadvertently described in my earlier post.
There is only one (unique) piece in WG release for the Venice Film festival, i.e the one with the zodiac on the dial.
Then why is the regular limited version different from those in your post?
I do believe, JLC presented the proto piece during their initial release to the various markets.
Thereafter, some minor changes were introduced and hence the (left hand) piece that you see in my post's first photo.
I hope it is somewhat clearer now. My apologies for the confusion.
/W72
Thanks for the clarification and
Hi W72,
Thanks for the clarification and sorry I misread the post. Now that I had a chance to read your wonderful post a second time I understand it clearly. Very cool photos of a beautiful timepiece.
Regards,
ED-209
Thanks for the clarification and sorry I misread the post. Now that I had a chance to read your wonderful post a second time I understand it clearly. Very cool photos of a beautiful timepiece.
Regards,
ED-209
That is it. I much prefer these hands than the Dauphine.
The Venice piece unique sublimates the MGT GC.
Definitely.
One I didn't have the chance to see it in the flesh, but I will ask JLC if it is possible to do so.
Best,
Nicolas
Hi Nicolas..
Glad you like the Dauphine hands. The do look more classic.
As for viewing it in flesh, the WG is gone - delivered.
But I have a feeling that you will get a chance to see it someday.
/W72
I don't even know how to begin to describe my feelings. But thank you! [nt]
No message body
You're welcome and...
And thanks for reading this post. Hope that you get a chance to see one in person.
Regards,
ED-209
Regards,
ED-209
A master piece! :)
Absolutely stunning!
Thank you for sharing this with us!
Best
Blomman
Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks for reading the post and checking out the pics and video. I think W72's post is even more impressive.
Regards,
ED-209
Regards,
ED-209
