For Art’s Sake: The Jaeger-LeCoultre Hybris Artistica Collection


Duomètre Sphérotourbillon

The Duomètre Sphérotourbillon’s big draw was the three- dimensional rotation of the tourbillon. In addition to revolving around the axis of its titanium cage, the tourbillon rotates around a second axis, tilted at 20 degrees, to defy the effects of gravity in all positions. For the Hybris Artistica version, Jaeger-LeCoultre created a case composed of two sapphire domes for the front and back. The dial is made of 18k white gold and is engraved with multidirectional strokes using a special chisel. This creates a finely grained but glossy finish. Adding dramatic flair to the dial is a “staircase” composed of finely chiselled steps that lead down to the tourbillon. The tourbillon bridge is made of transparent sapphire, leading the eye to believe that the tourbillon is floating freely. The dials of the Duomètre Sphérotourbillon are enameled using the grand feu technique.

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SPECS:
Functions: Hours, minutes, return-to-zero seconds, reference time or second time zone in 24-hour mode, one power-reserve indicator for each of two barrels
Movement: Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 382, flying tourbillon with cylindrical balance spring, transparent tourbillon bridge, 460 components, two barrels, thickness = 10.45 mm, 21,600 vph, 55 jewels, power reserve = 50 hours
Case: Sapphire and white gold, diameter = 44 mm, water resistant to 50 m
Limited edition of three pieces

 

Duomètre Sphérotourbillon Enamel

For this Hybris Artistica version of the Duomètre Sphérotourbillon, JLC created a dial made of blue pailloné enamel. The tiny specks of silver that look like stardust are called paillons. It requires great skill to distribute these specks evenly on the enamel. After the enamel is fired in the kiln, the artisan polishes the enamel to reveal the metal elements on the dial (like the indexes). While doing so, he must avoid scratching the metal with the paillons.

The bezel has an enamel border and the side of the case has engravings inspired by Venice’s Doge Palace. The side also has a window to view the tourbillon. There are three enameled gold steps on each side of the tourbillon.

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Hybris-Artistica-Duometre-Spherotourbillon-Enamel-CU-560

SPECS:
Functions: Hours, minutes, return-to-zero seconds, reference time or second time zone in 24-hour mode, one power-reserve indicator for each of the two barrels
Movement: Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 382, manual wind, flying tourbillon with cylindrical balance spring and transparent tourbillon bridge, 460 components, two barrels, thickness = 10.45 mm, power reserve = 50 hours, 21,600 vph, 55 jewels
Case: White gold, diameter = 42 mm, water resistant to 50 m
Limited edition of three pieces

 

Duomètre Sphérotourbillon Pocketwatch

This watch was inspired by a gold-and-enamel pocketwatch from 1928. The tourbillon appears to be suspended in thin air thanks to the transparent sapphire tourbillon bridge. Featuring a hand-chiselled dial and three small white enamel dials that echo the design of the original watch, this timepiece has blue enamel on the periphery of the dial and on the bow. The enamel is applied and then delicately polished to reveal the gold lines on the bezel.

Hybris-Artistica-Montre-de-Poche-Duometre-Spherotourbillon-560

SPECS:
Functions: Hours, minutes, return-to-zero seconds, reference time or second time zone in 24-hour mode, power-reserve indicator for each of two barrels
Movement: Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 382, manual wind, flying tourbillon with cyclindrical balance spring, transparent tourbillon bridge, 460 components, two barrels, thickness = 10.45 mm, 21,600 vph, 55 jewels, power reserve = 50 hours
Case: White gold, diameter = 48 mm, water resistant to 50 m
Limited edition of three pieces

 

Grande Reverso Tourbillon Squelette

Designing the Hybris Artistica version of the brand’s flagship Reverso model presented a real challenge: after all, there have been many highly decorated Reversos over the decades, incorporating engraving, gem-setting and enameling. How to make this new one stand out?

JLC chose to skeletonize it. Viewed from either side, the Grande Reverso Tourbillon Squelette is completely openworked, the hand-decorated components visible behind two sapphire crystals. The movement is held in a metal frame.

 

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SPECS:
Functions: Hours, minutes, tourbillon
Movement: Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 863SQ, skeletonized, manual wind, tourbillon, 204 components, thickness = 4.55 mm, 21,600 vph, 23 jewels, power reserve = 45 hours, hand- decorated mainplate and bridges
Case: White gold and sapphire, length = 48.4 mm, width = 29.9 mm, water resistant to 30 m
Limited edition of three pieces

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  1. Farouk Fikry

    Thanks for the great effort. Always wanted to see these famous watches – you made this possible and also with detailed description. Waiting for your next editions ……

    Reply
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