Jaeger-LeCoultre presents a new interpretation of the ultra-thin minute repeater in a five-piece limited edition with a deep midnight-blue sun-rayed dial in an 18k white gold case.
The Master Hybris Mechanica Calibre 362 introduced a decade ago, was, at the time of its launch, one of the world’s thinnest minute repeater wristwatch with a tourbillon in production, and it is still today Jaeger-LeCoultre’s thinnest minute repeater in collection, at 7.8 mm – all the more rare for being a high-complication movement with automatic winding. The calibre itself, comprising 566 parts is only 4.7 mm thick.
The Master Hybris Mechanica Calibre 362 represents eight separate patents, two for previous inventions related to chiming mechanisms – crystal gongs (2005) and trebuchet hammers (2009) – and six for inventions developed specifically for this timepiece:
- Flying balance wheel;
- Flying balance wheel in a flying tourbillon;
- S-shaped hairspring;
- Fixed winding stroke on the minute repeater;
- Retractable push-button on the minute repeater;
- Silent-timelapse reduction on the minute repeater.
Achieving the goal of thinness required a complete re-think of the regulating organ and for Calibre 362, Jaeger-LeCoultre developed and patented a new form of flying tourbillon – one that is fitted with a flying balance wheel.
To provide the convenience of automatic winding to the wearer, Calibre 362 was conceived as a self-winding movement. However, this required Jaeger-LeCoultre’s watchmakers to re-think the design of the winding rotor, which normally sits on top of the movement, adding thickness. Their solution – entirely new in such a high-complication wristwatch – was to develop a peripheral rotor. Encircling the calibre, it has a section in Platinum to create the necessary weight and is mounted on ceramic ball bearings to ensure that it swings freely, with minimal friction.
Crystal gongs and trebuchet hammers enhance the quality of the chime. Being attached directly to the glass of the watch, the gongs turn the sapphire crystal into a resonator, exploiting the superior acoustic qualities of that material. The articulated hammers recoup the great majority of the energy lost in traditional minute repeater construction, thus enabling a chime of unprecedented strength.
At 41mm diameter and just 7.8 mm thick, the case of the Master Hybris Mechanica Calibre 362 was inspired by the elegance of the Maison’s early 20th-century ultra-thin pocket-watches – in particular the 1907 couteau (knife) pocket watch.
The Manufacture chose white gold because of the metal’s superior acoustic qualities and, in the new interpretation of the timepiece, the midnight blue sunrayed dial contrasts dramatically with the hand-polished bezel, sides and tapering lugs.
Against the deep blue background, the simplicity of the dial indications also pays subtle tribute to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s historic pocket watches: elongated Dauphine hands, hours marked with simple batons and minutes marked by white dots.
With eight patents, including six inventions developed specifically for this timepiece, the Master Hybris Mechanica Calibre 362 is an eloquent testimony to the Manufacture’s perpetual quest for pushing the boundaries of horological innovation.
Technical Specifications:
MASTER HYBRIS MECHANICA CALIBRE 362
Case: White gold 750/1000 (18k)
Dimensions: 41mm diameter x 7.8 mm thick
Calibre: Automatic Calibre 362
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Tourbillon, Minute Repeater
Power Reserve: 42 hours
Dial: Deep blue sunrayed
Water resistance: 3 bar
Strap: Blue alligator leather with small-scale alligator lining
Reference: Q1313581
Limited edition of 5 pieces
Price upon application
For more information please visit Jaeger-LeCoultre