Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication Watch Reaches the Stars

Living in a megalopolis, oftentimes I yearn for a clear view of the night sky free from glaring city lights. The Jaeger-LeCoultre master Grande Tradition Grande Complication unleashed this yearning with its exquisite depictions of the universe. The blue lacquer dial evokes a sense of another time, another place, perhaps an alchemists workshop or astronomers turret. However, there is nothing surreal about the impeccable craftsmanship and complication combination. Beneath the bold 18k white gold dauphine hands, encased in a 44mm wide 18k white gold case is a Jaeger-LeCoultre in-house caliber 945 manually wound movement comprised of 527 parts.
Complications include:
Minute Repeater specially designed to emit a loud chime; especially unique to Jaeger-LeCoultre. Amazingly Jaeger-LeCoultre achieved a 50 meter water resistance. Water Resistance t0 50 meters is rarely found in a watch with a minute repeater, as sealing the watch becomes quite a challenge.
One-Minute Flying Tourbillon which is a sidereal indicator as well. A sidereal day is exactly 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4.091 seconds and it is this exact day, the tourbillon takes to circle the entire dial. Astronomers mostly make use of the sidereal time by using it to ascertain where to point their telescopes to pinpoint a certain star in the night sky. Given the dial markings of this watch sidereal time is a most appropriate addition.
Only 75 pieces will be crafted making this watch a coveted item among the most noteworthy of collectors and maybe an astronomer or two.
Alas if six figures is beyond your reach, do not fret. You can own a exquisite Jaeger-LeCoultre luxury watch from THE WATCHERY. Choose from iconic collections such as the Reverso Squadro and Master Grande Memovox as 42% off the retail price.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Extreme W-Alarm Watch

With a name like Master Compressor Extreme W-Alarm Watch, you can be assured you are going to be in for something pretty impressive. The Jaeger-LeCoultre will only be available in Tourneau stores; however, Tourneau is the largest global watch retail chain which sells numerous watch brands. One only has to glance at the watch face for a moment to know this watch has a host of impressive functions.
World Timer: The time is indicated for many major cities such as Moscow, London and New York. In addition three natural destinations are displayed such as Galapagos adding an originality to the World Time feature.
Mechanical Alarm: The cut out window to the left of the dial displays the alarm time.
Time: The hour indicators are bold and easy to read, so that although the dial is displaying other features, the time display still shows the strongest presence.
Date: To the right of the dial at the 3 'o' clock position.

This watch is a superb example of functionality and beauty. It is truly an art of organization. As to be expected this watch is not up for the mass market but is available in two limited editions: 20 watches in 18k gold and titanium and another 50 watches comprised only of titanium. The 46.3mm wide case is the size of most of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Extreme Collection.
This watch is a perfect travel companion as it has a shock absorbent system which protects the movement from sudden jolts, as well as the world timer and the mechanical alarm feature. The crown also has a unique security lock. The final compliment to the watch is a leather and fabric strap which was designed for extreme comfort.

Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewerly Company

This Ralph Lauren watch with the gold stirrup shaped bezel is causing quite a stir among watch enthusiasts. They are eagerly anticipating the arrival of this watch in May 2009. The watches were first unveiled at SIHH in January 2009. This watch is part of a new watch collection carrying the iconic brand name of Ralph Lauren.

This watch is the offspring of a brand new company "Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewerly Company", formed in September 2008, and based in Geneva Switzerland. This company is the partnership between two leading companies, Polo Ralph Lauren and Richemont Group. This new company will design, develop, manufacture and distribute luxury watches and fine jewelry. For both companies this venture is a first. This is Richemont's first such venture with a luxury fashion designer and its Polo Ralph Lauren first venture into the luxury watch and jewelry business.

Ralph Lauren, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation said, “I have waited a long time to create and introduce timepieces that I feel exemplify the ultimate in luxury and quality. Richemont shares that understanding and has the global reputation and experience to fulfill these shared goals. I have the highest confidence that this unique partnership will be tremendously successful and an important part of our global luxury accessories strategy.”

Johann Rupert, Executive Chairman of Richemont, said, “I have long admired Ralph Lauren. His impeccable taste, style and attention to detail are unique. These factors, combined with Richemont’s expertise in jewelry and watches has led to a fascinating business venture. Jointly, we aim to create a new luxury business, which I am confident will develop into a world leader. This is an exciting partnership and I am very happy to work with Ralph Lauren on this project. I am very enthusiastic about the timepieces we will be unveiling at SIHH 2009.”

Many people people are speculative about forming a new luxury company in times of economic uncertainty, but the overwhelming enthusiasm to the new watch collection displays positive signs for the future of the "Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelry Company". It is pleasing to see growth and creativity.

Richemont owns a portfolio of leading international brands. Each brand is managed independently of one another, thus maintaining the unique quality and creativity. Richemont has five distinct areas of operation:

1)High end Jewelry Companies (which also sell watches): Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels.

2)High end watchmakers: Jaeger LeCoultre, Piaget, IWC, Baume & Mercier, Vacheron Constantin, Panerai, A Lange & Sohne & Roger Dubois.

3)High end writing instruments: Montblanc and Montegrappa

4)High end leather and accessories: Alfred Dunhill and Lancel

5)Other businesses: Chloe and 19.5% interest in British American Tobacco.

Jaeger- LeCoultre raises money for the World Heritage Foundation

Jaeger-LeCoultre raised £13,540 for United Nation’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage in an online auction which ran from February 16th to the 20th. On the auction block was the "Number 1" prototype of the model Master Compressor Extreme W-Alarm Tides of Time, first unveiled at the SIHH 2009. The extreme diving watch is a symbol of the "Tides of Time" which is a three-year partnership among Jaeger-LeCoultre, Unesco's World Heritage Center, and the International Herald Tribune. They have all joined forces to raise awareness of environmental issues and threats and to gain support of the World Heritage Sites. In the coming months the project will concentrate on eight World Heritage Sites including the Galapogas Islands in Eucador and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in South Africa. Jaeger Le-Coultre has always been involved in environmental issues. The "Tides of Time" are dedicated to drawing attention to the plight of the delicately balanced marine ecosystem; therefore it seems only natural that the watch chosen for the auction is a diving watch.

The world beneath the ocean waves is linked with Jaeger-LeCoultre since 1911, when the company patented the first waterproofing system for a watch case. 50 years ago Jaeger LeCoultre unveiled its first collection of diving watches. Jaeger LeCoultre is highly dedicated to protect the marine world.

The total proceeds of the funds from the auction will got to the World Heritage site of Tubbataha, Phillippines, located in the Sulu Sea, 181 km southeast of Puerto Princesa, the Palawan Island Province.

Three cities on the outer dial ring of the "Number 1" prototype of the model Master Compressor Extreme W-Alarm Tides of Time are replaced with three natural sites - Scandola in France, Galapagos in Ecuador and Tubbataha - all sites on the World Heritage Site List.

The winner of this auction gets to own a watch which has a remarkable patent-filed two part case which is crafted to sustain the highest endurance tests. A unique system connects the case to its support which absorbs shock and protects the movement so that it continues to track time without the slightest change in accuracy. The watch is protected from vibrations and sudden impacts which occur during extreme and challenging environments. The movement within the shock absorbing case is a 36.2 mm diameter automatic movement, Calibre 912 which is a culmination of intense cutting edge research resulting in the inclusion of remarkable technological feats such as a variable-inertia balance fitted with adjusting screws on the outer rim; unidirectional winding; in addition an oscillating weight with ball-bearings in ceramics - which is a high-tech feature which requires absolutly no maintenance or lubrication. The original alarm mechanism of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 912 is subjected to the implacable trial of the striker test to demonstrate its resilience and a 45-hour power reserve.

Intense research went into the acoustic qualities of the alarm, leading to the creation of a unique gong. In the place of the traditional gong which is usually affixed to the case back , this gong surrounds the movement and is fixed to the case middle by two pins. It is struck by the hammer at a particular point near this point of attachment. The geometry has also been carefully revised so as to optimise the acoustic qualities of the sound.

The alarm function is made up of a double push pin piece which allows the wearer to decide whether to start or stop the alarm function.

Finally a unique system on the watch case allows the watch strap to be changed quickly and easily.

Jaeger Le-Coultre is an increasingly popular watch brand at THE WATCHERY and know when you are buying Jaeger Le-Coultre you are supporting a company that supports the world we live in.

The alarm time is displayed by two juxtaposed discs that appear via a clear window at 9 o'clock. The positioning of the hour disc is followed by the minute one, thus enabling the user to select any time in five-minute intervals. The watch dial also displays a date window at 3 o'clock with fast adjustment.

Striving for the ultimate luxury watch material

Since the first watch was created, watch makers have been striving to better their timepieces in terms of accuracy, durability and aesthetics. Watch manufacturers are forging ahead inventing exciting new materials. Many of these material innovations are targeted to eliminate friction without the use of oils and thereby obtaining greater accuracy in mechanical movement and simultaneously increasing durability and decreasing weight. Up till now the oils and lubricants are critical for reducing the friction of wheels. These oils and lubricants deteriorate with time requiring ongoing watch maintenance. Is there a material that is so friction free within itself that no oils or lubricants are necessary to maintain the accuracy of the timepiece?


Patek Phillipe has gained great ground in the progress of inventing an oil free watch in experimenting with the potential application of silicium in watchmaking techniques. During the past six years Patek Phillipe Advanced Research Department developed Silinvar - a patented substance derived from oxidising the constituents of pure silicium in a vacuum. From this material , Silinvar, Patek Phillipe has presented an escape wheel, a hairspring and an escapement which requires absolutely no oiling as well as eliminating long term servicing concerns, resistance to corrosion and magnetism and in addition improves the performance of the mechanical movement. Patek Phillip has utilized Silinvar in its Patek Philippe Ref. 5450 Annual Calendar watch. This platinum timepiece, produced in a limited series of 300, features an escape wheel, hairspring, and pallet fork in Silinvar which boasts a density 1/3 that of steel components.

Richard Mille agenda in developing a new material was to create an ultra lightweight watch that is expectationally resistant. The success was in the RM 009 which has Alusic for the case- a super light hybrid material- aluminium AS7G, silicium and carbon used for the production of ultra-light satellites, and another aluminium-lithium alloy for the tourbillon skeleton movement. The RM 009 weighs just over one ounce and is the worlds lightest mechanical watch ever produced as well as being extremely resistant.






Audemar Piguet has adopted carbon for its Royal Oak Offshore Alinghi Line as Carbon is both lightweight and shock resistant.




Jaeger-LeCoultre presented a watch that required no lubrication - the ExtremeLab Tourbillon. Jaeger-LeCoultre tested the amazing properties of its watch to a whole slew of witnesses to provide evidence for its claim. The watch was first subjected to extreme temperatures from -40 degrees Celsius to + 60 degrees Celsius. A quartz watch and another regular mechanical watch was used as a control. When these watches were removed from the test baths only one was working - you guesses it - the ExtremeLab Tourbillon. The success is not as a result of a simple new material but a collage of 13 different materials such as carbon, titanium, ceramic, magnesium, polyurethane, carbonitride Easium, silicium carbonitride, black crystalline diamond, platinum-iridium and Ticalium. The end result is a new calibre, the 988C. Jaeger-LeCoultre is definitely ahead in the game for the development of ultimate watch - a watch where time does not symbolize the nearing of the end, but merely the passage of time.


Some Watch Manufacturers have developed there very own materials that actually bear there name: Zenithium - A Zenith innovation. Zenith has every right to name a material after its company. 7% of all Zenith turnover was poured into years of research and development. The end result is Zenithium which is three times stronger than steel. The material is comprised of titanium for resistance, nobium for memory of shapes, and aluminium for lightweight. Zenith is not the only company to name a material after its company:


Hublot has created Hublonium. Hublonium which combines magnesium and aluminium creating a timepiece that is lightweight and durable. Its Mag Bang timepiece is the first timepiece ever to have a movement and case made of the same material.


These materials are incredible in innovation and functionality, but don't kiss the good old elements goodbye ... not just yet.

Traditional materials such as brass (copper and zinc), steel (iron and carbon) and nickel silver (copper, nickel and zinc) are still favored in watch productions. Many modern companies have attacked the use of these materials as old-fashioned; however, steel pinions and brass wheels still provide the best friction coefficient and so these two alloys remain crucial in modern watch production. In addition, these materials are familiar to watchmakers and watch repairers throughout the world, and there workbenches are laden with tools, oils and lubricants designed to service these old time materials. If these new materials flood the market will the watch makers know how to repair these pieces or are these pieces going to be so durable that no repair is needed?
These pieces are still very costly as the price incorporates the years of research and development as well as the specialized craftsmanship and materials required to manufacture a watch of this calibre.

This blog is a Luxury Watch Treasure Trove.

In case you were confused by the word "Luxury" this watch will re clarify the concept. Chopard (Founded in 1860) sells a Super Ice Cube Luxury Watch. Retail $1,130,620. Take your Tourbillons - give me diamonds - lots and lots. 66.16 carats of diamonds including 1,897 brilliants, 288 trapeze-cuts, and a center case glimmering with 16 squares. The watch is subtly pretentious and overtly glamorous. Chopard offers over fifty variations on the "Ice Cube" from black diamonds to pastel sapphires to rubies. Chopard is renowned for its incredible "gem sense" in that every hand picked gem is placed on the watch in perfect harmony and balance.
This next watch is a Blancpain 1735 - Blancpain was founded in 1735 and this watch was named for the year. At first glance this Luxury Watch worth about One Million Dollars seems quite humble; however this watch has 6 individual complications. Two more than necessary to qualify as a "Grand Complication". The 6 Complications are compacted in an ultra slim 42 mm case which in itself can almost be deemed a complication. The Blancpain 1735 is equipped with:
a) A Perpetual Calander making allowances for different lengths of month as well as leap years till the year 2100.
b) Split-second chronograph or "rattrapante" which has two second hands, one of which can be blocked with a special dial train lever to indicate an intermediate time while the other continues to run. When released, the split-seconds hand jumps ahead to the position of the other second hand.
c)Minute repeater which has a striking mechanism with hammers and gongs for sounding the hours or quarter hours at the will of the wearer. The wearer pushes a slide which winds the spring. Most Repeaters use two different gongs to signal hours (low tone), quarters hours (high and low tones in succession), and minutes (high tone).
d) Tourbillon - said to compensate for the interference of gravity on the watch thus improving the watches accuracy, From the French word "whirlwind", in the Tourbillon the entire escapement escapement is mounted on a epicyclic train in a cage and rotated completely on its axis over a regular period of time, usually once a minute. A tourbillon is valued more for its superb horological craftsmanship than its actual functional abilities.
e) Moon-phase minder which displays the phases of the moon.

The streamlined case encapsulates 740 components that takes eight to ten months to build. This timepiece collection is limited to 30 watches. Crocodile Strap and 80 hour power reserve, what more could you ask for.
Hublot does everything big. The materials under the diamonds are invisible giving a perfect shimmer to the watch. The "Big Bang Chronograph" with a heart throbbing tourbillon is worth One Million Dollars.

The following three watches have yet to be priced, but my guess is it is going to be quite high and they add quite nicely to my treasure trove of watches blog.

This sleek bracelet is more bracelet than watch but since it is a Jaeger-LeCoultre creation the tiny watch nestled between the gleaming squares is a mechanical masterpiece of fine watch craftmanship. No price quoted as of yet for this Joaillerie 101 Manchette stunning timepiece.
This watch is the Tag Heuer Fantasy where for the first time the diamonds tell the time. There is no one other than Tag Heuer themselves to explain how this marvelous space age watch operates:

This luxury watch set with 879 Top Wesselton (5.8 carats) VS/SI (1.1 mm), full-cut, diamonds hides a surprising innovation: the digital display through the diamonds. 54 of the 879 diamonds have been cut in a revolutionary way to provide a very high-definition concentration of the light emitted by 54 LEDs (light emitting diodes) that display the time in glowing red. The red is echoed in the satin strap that gives a warm and silky look contrasting with the brilliance of the multiple diamonds.

There you have it and the price is inestimable as only three of these watches have been crafted. Quite mind-boggling that a creation like this has been limited to but three.
Diamond Rotolog Watch. Crafted by Watch Manufacturer Nixon. Interesting no doubt. I kind of cannot wrap my mind around it. This watch is studded with 1,851 diamonds - 764 full cut white diamonds while the remaining ones are full cut black diamonds, bringing the total number of carats to 9.25 carats.By this time I expect you to be salivating at the sight of all these luxurious items. I was going to sign off but Corum's Classical Billionaire Tourbillon kept on surfacing above my subconscious. Retailing at around a Million Dollars - Okay $998,000. A spectacular time-piece with a white gold case set with baguette diamond bezel, transparent dial and a stunningly blue alligator strap. The watch is a manual winding tourbillon with sapphire bridges. A 90 day power reserve with a 2007 limited production of 10 pieces.

A watch like this comes up for sale only once in a lifetime like a fleeting comet. The Girard-Perregaux Opera One. This luxury timepiece has no dial hiding the craftsmanship. The watch has three bridges, a tourbillon and a minute repeater sounding a Westminster Chime.

Imagine wearing one of these beauties on your wrist.

Art Deco inspired Luxury Watches

In 1997 Concord unveiled its 18 gold La Scala collection, perfectly geometric- an art deco inspiration. Jaeger- LeCoultre's Reverso Grande Taille utilizes pure geometric shapes an art deco icon.


Art Deco swept through a changing era: old Victorian petticoats were flung away for a modern streamlined form. Women cut their hair, hemmed their skirts and skipped away from prohibitions. It was the roaring twenties. Lines were straight, mathematical and geometric. Products were made with the consumer in mind, aerodynamic cars and boats, sleek with sharp pristine angles. The heavy frills made way for clear lines. In the United States, Art Deco influenced building architecture (The Chrysler Building), cars, fashion, furniture, subway stations, jewelry and watches. Watches of the 1920's an 30's were mathematically geometric in design, and drew inspiration from modern clean cut shapes. Art Deco was more than just an art it was an entire movement lasting from 1925 to 1939, sandwiched between two world wars.

Art Deco was advertised in 1925 as the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Moderns (the International Exhibit of Decorative Arts and Modern Industries), in Paris, the worlds most influential artists and designers met to share their visions of design for the future. The event basked in international attention, it was "the event" promoting the evolution of design. Culminating from this movement was the Art Deco, then known as Style Moderne and in 1968 coined Art Deco. Today Art Deco is sometimes referred to as retro modern or vintage modern. "Retro" is a Latin Prefix meaning "backward" or in "past times", the modern of the then, the modern of the twenties. Whatever the term used, the look is still refreshingly edgy and undoubtedly modern.