The Gyrotourbillon 1, a world premiere in 2004, returns to the roots of the watchmaking complications embodied by Jaeger-LeCoultre for over 180 years. It features a unique construction with an ultra-lightweight outer carriage which rotates on its axis every 60 seconds and an inner carriage housing a balance wheel, balance-spring and escapement rotating around an axis that forms a right angle relative to the first carriage. The balance wheel moves weightlessly in this incredibly lightweight microcosm. The upper part of the Master Gyrotourbillon 1 dial features the fixed wheel of the running equation of time and reveals a unique semi-circular date display where two retrograde hands share the task.

On the back of the watch, a sapphire crystal reveals the retrograde leap-year indication. Everything was designed with perfection in mind for this grand complication model, the only one with a power reserve of eight days.The dial is a miraculous achievement made from a completely skeletonised aventurine plate, retaining in the end only openwork stone encrusted with sparkling flecks. Traditionally reserved for the movement, a skeletonised dial is rare. Featuring carved rosettes forming an enigmatic and sublimely beautiful stained-glass window, decorated with hourmarkers in blue lacquer, the dial is touched by grace, in perfect harmony with this exceptional watch. The artisans of Jaeger-LeCoultre worked with precision in order to craft the dial from this extremely hard and delicate stone that shatters at the slightest impact. They brought the same determination to bear on the thick domed sapphire crystal, polished on the inside, which, in the absence of a bezel, is attached directly to the case in a true work of art. The Master Gyrotourbillon 1 bears the mark of intelligence and powerful creativity. It also calls upon the emotions. Thus, a sapphire crystal tab extending into the case at 6 o'clock draws the gaze to the Gyrotourbillon like never before, piercing the mysteries and savouring the wonderment in a truly stunning communion.

Luke Rottman (Executive Editor: thewatchadviser.com)