Jaeger-LeCoultre

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

More posts: Seiko PresageSPB069J1

  login to reply