SimplyAbuDhabi XXXIII

1 0 7 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I A s you may have noted from the previous watch selections, Perpetual Calendars were huge at SIHH2019. And when you have a new perpetual calendar coming from a Manufacture that has created more than 1,200 watch calibres to date, counts 180 different watchmaking and watch-related skills as part of its in-house expertise, and has over 400 registered patents—you know it’s going to be something extraordinary. The Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel does not disappoint. The watch is the first multi-axis tourbillon with a constant-force mechanism, Westminster chime and perpetual calendar. Preceding the watch are the 2004 Master Gyrotourbillon 1, the 2008 Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2, the 2013 Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon 3 Jubilee and the 2016 Reverso Tribute Gyrotourbillon. This is now the fifth multi-axis tourbillon from Jaeger-LeCoultre, with a size reduction in the redesigned tourbillon component to make the watch easier to wear. The brand says, “As a rule, reducing the size of a mechanism also reduces its error tolerance, which is why successful miniaturisation efforts are so highly valued and complex. In creating a smaller tourbillon, Jaeger-LeCoultre has created a truly wearable Gyrotourbillon, bringing high complication out of the watch safe and onto the wrist for everyday enjoyment.” The four-phrase melody the watch plays is composed of four notes played in different sequences and different quantities at each quarter of the hour. They will be comfortingly familiar to anyone who has spent time in London, as the Westminster chime is the famous melody of the Big Ben clock at the Palace of Westminster. When the minute repeater is activated, the Gyrotourbillon Westminster uses four sets of gongs and hammers to create the chime to indicate the quarters. Precision lies at the heart of this astounding timepiece, another suitably amazing addition to the Hybris Artistica collection, and the one-minute constant-force mechanism provides a consistent level of power for the energy-hungry tourbillon without affecting its chronometric ability. The constant-force mechanism consists of a spring, known classically as a remontoir d’égalité, that is periodically re-armed by the mainspring and acts as a secondary power source to protect the regulating organ of the movement. The perpetual calendar function automatically displays the correct date without the need for manual adjustment between months of different lengths and it also takes into account the extra day at the end of February during leap years. The date can be adjusted forwards or backwards without harming the movement, which alone makes it superior to many other perpetual calendars for sheer convenience of operation. The pointer-style date indication further reinforces the precision aspect of the timepiece, as it jumps over the tourbillon aperture in order to provide the best possible view of the hypnotic rotating escapement. The Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel is the result of 186 years of fine watchmaking expertise and a spirit of innovation that elevates Jaeger-LeCoultre to the very highest levels of haute horlogerie.