Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Gyrotourbillon in rose gold

　　2016Jaeger-LeCoultre Master collectionThe Gyrotourbillon was unveiled at SIHH, representing the latest extension of the JLC Gyrotourbillon product line. In 2013, Jaeger-LeCoultre first launched the platinum version of the Gyrotourbillon with perpetual calendar. The rose gold version was released in 2014, and in 2015, the platinum version was paired with a blue dial. The latest version has simplified the design by removing the perpetual calendar, featuring only the Gyrotourbillon.

　　If you were to cover the tourbillon at the bottom of the dial, the Master Gyrotourbillon would be a remarkably simple and clean watch, possessing the typical design characteristics of a JLC dress watch. Now, it combines simplicity with complexity—it is equipped with a flying tourbillon featuring a rare cylindrical balance spring.

　　The cylindrical balance spring is not actually modern technology; Hamilton filed a US patent for it in 1948, and it was quite common in early marine chronometers. However, in the modern watch industry, the cylindrical tourbillon first appeared in the 2011 Montblanc Villeret tourbillon, followed by Jaeger-LeCoultre. To date, we only know of JLC and Montblanc as the two brands currently producing watches with cylindrical balance springs. Some people always worry about the longevity of the cylindrical spring, especially given that JLC has further developed more advanced and unique spherical and hemispherical springs. I think their concerns are somewhat unfounded.

　　Case, dial, and hands

　　The rose gold case is in the typical JLC Master style: robust and well-proportioned. Compared to the coldness of platinum, the rose gold tone appears bold and beautiful.

　　The long, elegant dauphine hands are a perfect match for the slender baton hour markers. The dial printing for the tracks and lettering is extremely restrained, featuring only the brand name Jaeger-LeCoultre, Tourbillon Cylindrique, and the mandatory Swiss Made. In our view, it is wonderfully tasteful.

　　The silvery-white dial features a fine eggshell-like granular texture, and the line connecting 4 o'clock to 8 o'clock forms a distinct step, seemingly designed to carve out space to better showcase the cylindrical hairspring of the tourbillon.

　　This flying tourbillon delivers a striking visual impact, with its cage rotating like a pagoda in a mesmerising fashion. The flying tourbillon has no upper bridge on the front, with the full bridge positioned instead on the case back. The tourbillon also features 3 slender blued steel hands---with only the bottom 1/3 section marked for 0-20 seconds, meaning 3 separate hands are required to indicate a full 60 seconds.

　　Jaeger-LeCoultre 995 automatic movement

　　As the strongest movement manufacturer within the Richemont Group, all Jaeger-LeCoultre movements are naturally designed and produced in-house, and this 995 automatic movement is no exception. It is meticulously designed and beautifully finished. Featuring a single barrel, the movement offers a power reserve of 45 hours and operates at a frequency of 28800vph. The movement bridges are decorated throughout with sunburst finishes, with the rays converging precisely on the tourbillon---the focal point of the entire watch; the polished bevelling on the bridges is fairly standard, carrying a slight machine-tooled feel.

　　The mainland retail price for the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Cylindrique in rose gold is 620000, which is considerably more reasonable compared to the Montblanc cylindrical tourbillon or earlier, more complex Jaeger-LeCoultre perpetual calendar tourbillons. Personally, the only drawback is that it is not a manual-winding movement, which leaves the calibre slightly more obscured.

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