Jaeger-LeCoultre

The name of the Watch " sounds " familiar to you, if you know Jaeger Lecoultre a bit, and if you are a fan of astronomical complications and of minute repeaters.

The Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication ( MGT GC ) was introduced in the catalogue in 2010.

The case was big ( 44 mm ), thick ( 15, 6 mm ) more sensual than the Master Cases, and offered the magic combination of two kind of complications, Astronomy with the sky map and the sidereal time ( zodiacal calendar, 24 hours , months ) and the Minute Repeater, without forgetting the Flying Tourbillon.

Here, in 2015, nothing really new. We still have this combination of complications, the same movement ( Cal 945 ) and the silicon escapement.

We will also find the original structure of the Minute Repeater, inaugurated on the Hybris Mechanica à Grande Sonnerie, the now famous Trebuchet hammers, and the Cathedral crystal gongs / square section of the gongs.

Mechanically speaking, nothing new Under the sun.... Logically, we we find the well known Cal 945, manual winding, beating at 28 800 vibrations per hour and offering an autonomy of 40 hours.

BUT there is something important to be said about the sound of the minute repeater in this watch. I tested it during the SIHH, and I was deeply surprised by the richness and volume.

These two factors are, generally, contradictory. I mean that the louder a minute repeater plays, the less rich it is.

Now, the Manufacture increased the volume from 70 to 80 Db ( ! ) and the sound is even richer. Round, deep, it is an unforgettable experience to be lived in the real.

Now, aesthetically, this is a totally different song, if you allow me this pun.

I found a picture I took some 24 months ago, of the rose gold version, to show you how deep are the différences. ( Please note that the rose gold version was issued for the Russian Market, and is pretty unknown ).

 

And another older picture of the first MGT GC in white gold:

Just for you to keep in mind how they looked like.

Have a first look at the case.

On the 2015 MGT GC, the case is one millimeter bigger ( 45 mm ), and 0, 2 mm thicker ( 15, 8 m ).

But strangely, the new case seems to be slimmer and smaller. almost slender... Or just better balanced?

Which is obvious when you look at this picture:

 

The second detail which jumps to the eyes is the bezel, which is concave, now. As well as the reshaped trigger, which you will see below.

Then, let's see the dial.

 

Exit the guilloched blue dial, welcome to the satined blue dial. But that is not all. Have a close look at the outer ring. It is also different, with its applied baton indexes each five minutes, reminding some elements of style we found on the 2013 Jubilé collection.

The satined dial is naturally flatter than the guilloched one, but not unpleasant to look at.

Still I prefer the guilloched of the former version.

One detail I disliked on the former version, which we can find on the 2015 MGT GC... The hands.

I would have much preferred to see these hands JLC installed in the " Venezia " Edition:

They are, in my opinion, much more elegant and coherent in such a magnificient watch.

I wouldn't end this article without including a photo of the movement:

Conclusion: This new MGT GC is not really what I call a new Watch, but an improved version of the original, and a pretty nice one.

The case is superb, now. The outer ring is well done. And the watch has this touch of magic and poetry which is devastating, as well as the quality of the sound.

I wish we could have the guilloched dial of the former version, which I found more appealing, and most of all, the " Venezia " edition hands, which are more in accordance with the sophisticated character of this model.

Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts.

Best,

Nicolas

More posts: Ballon BleuDuometreFlying TourbillonHybris MechanicaJaeger LeCoultre

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