SIHH 2014: Jaeger-LeCoultre Duomètre Unique Travel Time An original world-time display system
SIHH 2014: Jaeger-LeCoultre Duomètre Unique Travel Time An original world-time display system
The Grande Maison in the Vallée de Joux undeniably owes its incredible destiny to the inventive spirit of its founder, Antoine LeCoultre. Since 1833, every watch bearing the Jaeger-LeCoultre signature is crafted with the same passion, guided by a constant quest for technical enhancement. Each masterpiece, heir to over 180 years of expertise, benefits from state-of-the-art research.
A fresh interpretation of the revolutionary Dual-Wing movement, the Duomètre Unique Travel Time watch in pink gold reflects the technical breakthroughs achieved by the Manufacture in the field of world-time watches and offers original solutions for travellers with a love of Fine Watchmaking.
The Duomètre Unique Travel Time is the first world-time watch enabling to-the-minute adjustment of the second time zone. This enables travellers to accurately set the second time zone on all continents and countries regardless of the time difference.
In keeping with the technical and aesthetic spirit of the creations by the Duomètre line signed Jaeger-LeCoultre, the Duomètre Unique Travel Time watch reveals the various facets of horological excellence by the Manufacture in the Vallée de Joux. It asserts itself as an absolute reference in terms of mechanical watchmaking and of the intrinsic elegance with which all creations from the Grande Maison have been imbued since 1833. Past, present and future converge in perfect harmony in this exceptional creation.
For this movement, the Dual-Wing system is divided into two distinct mechanisms: the first is devoted to displaying the local time, and the second to showing that in a second time zone. The two mechanisms share the same regulating organ but each has its own independent source of energy, thereby avoiding the losses due to interaction between the mechanisms. The operation of the dual time-zone display does not in any way influence the running of the watch, a fact that considerably enhances the precision of the watch.
Each mechanism has a 50-hour power reserve and, governed by a wish to achieve ideal userfriendliness, the same crown serves to wound both barrels. The timekeeping barrel is wound by a counter-clockwise rotation, and the travel-time barrel by a clockwise rotation.
Given the complexity of the functions, the finely grained dial provides impeccable clarity. Two magnificent symmetrically arranged subdials lend a perfectly balanced touch to this horological creation: the first subdial at 2 o’clock sets the stage for the hour and minute hand; while the second at 10 o’clock hosts the jumping hour and minutes of the travel time.
The globe at 6 o’clock displays a world map surrounded by the time-zone indications and the day/night ring. The globe is synchronised with the travel time. The single crown is used to adjust the local time in position 2 and the travel time in position 1, and, as well as to wind the mainsprings when in position 0.
Once both time zones are synchronised, the traveller can simply use the push-pieces at 8 and 10 o’clock to adjust the jumping hours in the left subdial according to the destination. And in case of a non-standard time zone, the minutes can be adjusted separately using the crown in position 1.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 383, a remarkably beautiful and exquisitely finished movement is revealed through the sapphire crystal caseback. Its bridges and gear trains are hand-chamfered and feature polished sinks. The moving parts, also hand-chamfered or adorned with polished sinks, are graced with a snailed or smoothed finish. These decorative touches are clearly inspired by the grand tradition of the brand’s pocket-watches and lay new milestones through their exceptionally refined finishing. The engraved names of the cities corresponding to the world’s 24 time zones are also visible through the back.
A worthy heir to the Duomètre line the pink gold Duomètre Unique Travel Time is a celebration of technical and precious Fine Watchmaking, vividly illustrating over 180 years of history while prefiguring the watchmaking of tomorrow.