The Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon 3
With its flying Gyrotourbillon and its spherical balance-spring, the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon 3 unveiled in 2013 is undoubtedly the watch sensation of the 21st century. The absence of an upper bridge reveals a miniature universe wherein the two carriages engage in a carefully synchronised rotation. Ultra-lightweight materials were used to achieve a micromechanical tour de force: despite having more than a hundred parts, the Gyrotourbillon weighs less than one gram. Associated with a 14-carat gold blued balance wheel, the movements of the balance-spring are surprisingly three-dimensional. This timepiece also achieves the feat of combining the supreme precision of the spherical tourbillon with the first instant digital display chronograph presented in a grand complication. For the Hybris Artistica collection, this high performance timepiece takes on an even more masculine character thanks to its tantalum case. This little known metal that appeared in the early 20th century is extremely hard and resistant to corrosion, and particularly challenging to work. The watchmakers of the Manufacture had to rethink how to build the case, so that the shape would reflect the emotion generated by this hypnotic metal. Deep anthracite grey in colour, it seems animated, almost alive, because of its bluish lustre. The spirit of this timepiece is edgy and avant-garde, accentuated by the black dial for the hours and minutes, the anthracite dial of the chronograph counter, and the ruthenium-treated movement. The Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon 3 decked out in tantalum is one of this century's most extraordinary watchmaking inventions.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Team: Contributor to thewatchadviser.com