Jaeger-LeCoultre Duomètre Unique Travel Time: A Watchmaking First
The Grande Maison de la Vallée de Joux owes its incredible destiny to the inventive spirit of its founder, Antoine LeCoultre. Since 1833, every Jaeger-LeCoultre watch has been crafted with the same passion, in a constant quest for technical perfection. Each masterpiece, the legacy of 180 years of know-how, benefits from the most advanced research.
A new interpretation of the revolutionary Dual-Wing movement created by Jaeger-LeCoultre, the Duomètre Unique Travel Time watch reflects the Manufacture’s technical advances in the field of time-zone watches and offers unprecedented solutions for travellers who love fine watchmaking. A world first for a worldtime watch: the watch allows the traveler to set the time of the travel zone to the minute. Thanks to worldtime, travelers can set their time zone on all continents and countries, whatever the time zone difference.
True to the technical and aesthetic spirit of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Duomètre line, the Duomètre Unique Travel Time watch reveals the many facets of the Vallée de Joux Manufacture’s watchmaking excellence. It is an absolute reference in terms of mechanical watchmaking and the intrinsic elegance that has marked all the Grande Maison’s creations since 1833. The past, the present and the future correspond with marvelous complicity in this exceptional creation, presented exclusively at the inauguration of the Jaeger-LeCoultre boutique on Place Vendôme in Paris.
For this new movement, the Dual-wing system is divided into two mechanisms: the first mechanism is dedicated to displaying the local time, while the second is used to display the second time zone. The two mechanisms share the same regulating organ, but each has its own independent power source, thus avoiding losses due to interactions between the mechanisms. A considerable gain for the watch’s precision, the operation of the second time zone has no influence on the operation of the watch.
Each mechanism has a 50-hour power reserve, and in the quest for absolute ease of use, the same crown is used to wind both barrels. A counter-clockwise rotation winds the time barrel, while a clockwise rotation winds the travel time barrel.
Second act: given the complexity of the functions, the finely grained dial is perfectly clear. Two magnificent counters arranged symmetrically give perfect balance to the face of this watchmaking creation – the first dial at 2 o’clock features the hours and minutes, and the second at 10 o’clock hosts the worldtime hours and minutes. Two specially applied numerals in red pay tribute to the address of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Boutique – numbers 7 and 9.
Like a world map, the day/night indicator and hour disc are positioned at 6 o’clock, making them easy to read. The single crown is used to set the time of the travel zone in position 1 and the local time in position 2, as well as to wind the mainsprings in position 0. Simply turn the crown clockwise to wind the time-indication barrel, and turn it anti-clockwise to wind the travel-zone barrel.
Third act: the Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 383, with its remarkable finish and beauty, is revealed through the sapphire caseback. Its bridges and gears boast hand-bevelling and polished mouldings. The wheels, also hand-beveled or adorned with polished moldings, are colimaçonné or softened. A decoration that draws its inspiration from the great tradition of the brand’s pocket watches, and sets new standards with its exceptional finishes. Also visible on the back are the engraved city names corresponding to the 24 time zones.
Limited series of 100 in 18-carat white gold, the Duomètre Unique Travel Time watch has been specially created for the inauguration of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Place Vendôme boutique in Paris, where it will be available from November 20. A worthy heir to the Duomètre line, it celebrates technical and precious Haute Horlogerie. It illustrates 180 years of history while foreshadowing the watchmaking of tomorrow.
Cette publication est également disponible en : Français (French)
