In a world increasingly obsessed with the digital, Jaeger-LeCoultre returns to the roots of horological art with a new expression of the Master Grande Tradition Calibre 948 — this time with a new enamel dial set in a warm 18K pink gold (750/1000) case.
Limited to just 20 pieces, this latest interpretation celebrates both universal time and the quiet poetry of mechanical motion.
At its heart lies one of La Grande Maison’s most captivating complications: a flying tourbillon that completes a full revolution around the dial every 24 hours, symbolising the Earth’s rotation on its axis. The result is a world timer that doesn’t just display global time zones — it embodies the rhythm of the planet itself.
A Tourbillon that Travels the World
Timekeeping, like astronomy, is rooted in observation. The Calibre 948 honors that connection by merging a world-time display with Jaeger-LeCoultre’s patented Universal Tourbillon — the first of its kind when it debuted. As the tourbillon completes its slow celestial orbit, the domed world map and the surrounding city ring rotate in harmony, mirroring the Earth’s own motion beneath the sun.
Each time zone is represented by a city name engraved on a blue opaline ring, encircled by a 24-hour scale with applied indexes and laser-engraved numerals, and an outer minute track etched over blue lacquer. The visual balance of these layers makes reading time across the globe both intuitive and poetic.
An Artisanal Dial of Rare Complexity
The dial of the Master Grande Tradition Calibre 948 is a masterclass in Métiers Rares™ craftsmanship — Jaeger-LeCoultre’s in-house atelier devoted to preserving traditional decorative arts.
At its centre, a domed world map viewed from the North Pole sits suspended above a blue-lacquered dial plate. The continents, meticulously carved from a thin plate of 18K pink gold, are brought to life through the champlevé enamel technique — each depression filled with successive layers of colored enamel, fired up to nine times to achieve depth and nuance.
Beneath the continents, the oceans shimmer in translucent lacquer over a hand-guilloché pattern, the undulating waves capturing light like ripples on the sea. Achieving this effect requires up to 15 coats of lacquer, each polished by hand to reveal a flawless, mirror-like finish.
The multi-layered architecture — spanning only 25.5mm in diameter — gives the impression that the map floats weightlessly within its own atmosphere, as the Universal Tourbillon glides above it in its 60-second rotation.
Mechanical Mastery Inside and Out
The Calibre 948 remains a technical tour de force. Comprising 388 components, the automatic movement was conceived, developed, and assembled entirely within Jaeger-LeCoultre’s manufacture in Le Sentier.
While the complication is complex, operation is deceptively simple. The crown controls all time zones simultaneously, with the local hour hand adjustable in one-hour increments — a collector-friendly detail that ensures ease of use while traveling.
The Master Grande Tradition case, constructed from over 40 parts, provides a harmonious frame for this horological landscape. Its convex bezel, hollowed lugs, and alternating polished, satin-brushed, and micro-blasted surfacesenhance the play of light across the warm tone of the pink gold. Completing the ensemble is a dark blue alligator strap, subtly echoing the dial’s maritime hues.
A Limited Expression of Time and Art
With this new interpretation of the Master Grande Tradition Calibre 948, Jaeger-LeCoultre continues to refine the dialogue between technical innovation and artistic excellence. It’s a collector’s piece in the truest sense — one that doesn’t merely measure the hours, but narrates their passing through craftsmanship, color, and celestial motion.
Only 20 pieces will be produced — a reminder that in watchmaking, as in time itself, rarity is what gives each moment its value.
Technical Specifications:
MASTER GRANDE TRADITION CALIBRE 948
Case: 18K pink gold (750/1000)
Watch dimensions: 43mm diameter x 14.13mm thick
Calibre: Automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 948
Functions: Hours, minutes, universal flying tourbillon, world-time display with 24-hour indication
Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph)
Power reserve: 48 hours
Dial: Blue translucent lacquer over a wavy guilloche pattern; domed skeleton structure decorated with champlevé enamel
Case-back: Sapphire crystal
Water resistance: 5 bar
Strap: Dark blue alligator leather with folding buckle
Reference: Q52824E2
Price: Upon request
Limited edition of 20 pieces
For more information please visit Jaeger-LeCoultre