Category: JAEGER-LECOULTRE

Jaeger-LeCoultre expands its legacy of mechanical and artistic excellence with two new horological masterpieces — the Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945 and the Master Grande Tradition Calibre 948. These exceptional timepieces reinterpret the concepts of time and space through intricate craftsmanship, combining advanced complications with the finest decorative artistry.

The Art of Mechanical Poetry

The Hybris Artistica collection has long represented Jaeger-LeCoultre’s pinnacle of innovation, where high complications meet traditional métiers d’art such as enamel work, engraving, and sculptural detailing.

The Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945 focuses on the celestial realm, offering a poetic depiction of sidereal time beneath a domed enamel night sky. In contrast, the Master Grande Tradition Calibre 948 turns its gaze toward Earth, presenting a vivid three-dimensional world-time display that celebrates our planet’s geography through meticulous craftsmanship.

Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945: The Night Sky in Motion

The Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945 captures the vastness of the cosmos within a 45 mm case crafted in 18K pink gold. Its domed Grand Feu enamel dial illustrates the constellations of the Northern Hemisphere, set over an intricate “Atomium” lattice formed by 117 miniature spheres symbolizing celestial bodies. The display is layered to create remarkable visual depth, with refined dauphine hands and a clean outer ring ensuring excellent legibility.

At its heart lies Jaeger-LeCoultre’s in-house Calibre 945, a manually wound movement that brings together hours, minutes, a zodiacal calendar with date and month, a rotating star chart, sidereal time indication, and the signature Cosmotourbillon. The tourbillon completes one revolution every sidereal day — precisely 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds — mirroring the Earth’s actual rotation relative to the stars rather than the Sun.

Adding to its complexity, the watch incorporates a sophisticated minute repeater mechanism equipped with the brand’s patented trébuchet hammers and cathedral gongs, offering an exceptionally rich and resonant chime. Despite the mechanical intricacy of its movement, the watch remains impressively wearable, with a case thickness of 16.05 mm and water resistance of 50 meters — an uncommon feature in such a complicated piece.

The timepiece offers a power reserve of approximately 40 hours and is presented on a blue alligator leather strap with a small-scale alligator lining and a pink gold folding clasp. Limited to just five pieces worldwide and priced at € 670,000, the Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945 represents the highest level of horological artistry from the Maison.

Master Grande Tradition Calibre 948: A Global Perspective

Complementing the celestial inspiration of the 945, the Master Grande Tradition Calibre 948 celebrates the beauty of our own planet. Its domed dial presents a miniature map of the Northern Hemisphere created using champlevé enamel for the continents and translucent lacquer over guilloché for the oceans. The finely skeletonized grid that traces latitudes and longitudes adds architectural depth, while the use of nine layers of enamel and seventeen layers of lacquer enhances the visual contrast between land and sea.

The case, measuring 43 mm in diameter and 14.13 mm in thickness, is crafted from 18K white gold and finished with a combination of polished, satin-brushed, and microblasted surfaces — a testament to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s attention to detail. Beneath the dial beats the automatic Calibre 948, composed of 388 parts and 42 jewels, operating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour.

The movement seamlessly integrates a world-time function with a flying tourbillon, both mounted on a rotating platform. The entire world map, city ring, and tourbillon complete one revolution every 24 hours, providing a simultaneous display of all time zones. The world-time function is operated through the crown, allowing for one-hour adjustments without interrupting the movement’s operation. The Calibre 948 offers a power reserve of 48 hours and demonstrates Jaeger-LeCoultre’s expertise in merging precision engineering with artistic execution.

Limited to 20 pieces and priced at € 302,000, the Master Grande Tradition Calibre 948 encapsulates a balance between technical ingenuity and aesthetic refinement.

A Dual Tribute to Time and Craft

With these two exceptional creations, Jaeger-LeCoultre reaffirms its position at the summit of haute horlogerie. The Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945 embodies the poetry of the cosmos through technical precision and artistic mastery, while the Master Grande Tradition Calibre 948 offers a breathtaking vision of our planet in perpetual motion.

Together, they showcase the brand’s dual expertise — horological innovation and artistic craftsmanship — celebrating both the infinite universe above and the world we inhabit below.

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General Specifications:

Brand: Jaeger-LeCoultre

Model: Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945, Master Grande Tradition Calibre 948

Reference: Q5262480 (945), Q52824E2 (948)

Dial: Blue champlevé enamel

Case Material: 18K pink gold

Case Dimensions: 45 mm Diameter x 16.05 mm thickness (945), 43 mm Diameter x 14.13 mm thickness (948)

Crystal: Sapphire Glass

Case Back: Sapphire Glass

Water Resistance: 50 Meters

Strap: Blue alligator leather strap with an 18K pink gold folding clasp

Calibre: 945, 948

Functions: hours, minutes, 60-seconds tourbillon, sidereal time (945), minute repeater (945), celestial vault (945), zodiacal calendar (945), world time (948)

Winding: Hand-wound (945), automatic (948)

Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 Vph)

Jewels: 52 (945), 42 (948)

Power Reserve: 40 Hours (945), 48 hours (948)

Price: € 670,000 (945), € 302,000 (948)

Limited Edition: Yes, 5 pieces (945) and 20 pieces (948)