Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grand Tradition Grande Complication

　　With the release of the new Master Grand Tradition Grande Complication,Jaeger-LeCoultreonce again demonstrates to the world its passion for horological technology and its determination to bring the latest research and development into watchmaking.

　　The Concept of the Grande Complication—Revised

　　During the golden age of watchmaking, a Grande Complication was the ultimate symbol of mastering the essence of horology. In an era when individual watchmakers crafted timepieces independently, mastering a single complication was already considered the pinnacle. However, those master watchmakers who could house two or three complications within a single watch were even more astonishing.

　　Today, returning to traditional watchmaking has become a way to prove mastery of this heritage craft. The difference today, however, is that modern master watchmakers must not only possess mechanical knowledge of horology and extensive experience in manufacturing, finishing and adjusting minute components, but they must also have deep expertise in product design aesthetics, as well as an understanding of new materials and computer-aided design. Consequently, creating a Grande Complication, whether in the past or today, is no easy feat.

　　Sidereal Time - Solar Time

　　The Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication is dedicated to delivering astronomical timekeeping. Its most valuable and breathtaking aspect is the use of a flying tourbillon as the hour hand to display sidereal time—the time unit used by astronomers to record stellar positions—rather than the solar time found on ordinary watches.

　　Essentially, the time it takes for the Earth to complete one rotation is defined as a day. Due to differing reference points, astronomy distinguishes between solar days and sidereal days. The former uses the Sun as a reference, while the latter uses other stars. Because the Earth orbits the Sun

　　while simultaneously rotating on its axis, a solar day is slightly longer than a sidereal day, with an orbital discrepancy of approximately 1 degrees, which amounts to about 4 minutes.

　　To highlight the astronomical functions specifically designed to make this watch a perfect tool for stargazing, a zodiac calendar is positioned along the outer edge of the dial, with month indicators telling you the constellation positions at any time of the year, while a perpetual calendar manages the timekeeping system.

　　New Perpetual Calendar

　　Jaeger-LeCoultrewatchmakers have interwoven these three complications and integrated them into the latest Jaeger-LeCoultre 945 movement. This movement was designed from the outset with the objective of delivering supreme performance. The watchmakers' interpretation of this grand complication watch lies in the introduction of the flying tourbillon—an exceptionally complex anti-gravity device—as the timepiece's third complication. The tourbillon serves not only as a regulating device but also as the mechanism indicating the sidereal hours within the perpetual calendar. The dial displays a map of the Northern Hemisphere night sky. Along the outer edge of the dial, a sun traverses the display in precisely 24 hours. Additionally, the bezel displays the signs of the zodiac and month markers.