Jaeger-LeCoultre Shooting Star Is A Magical Complication

Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced an extraordinary complication to its Rendez-Vous collection — the Shooting Star in 2022.

Now, in 2025, the Maison presents a poetic evolution of this innovation, with a new artistic expression: delicately hand-painted peonies adorning the dial.

Since ancient times, the night sky has captivated watchmakers, its movements forming the very basis of timekeeping. Among its many wonders, shooting stars stand apart: ephemeral, unpredictable, and deeply romantic. Though not stars in the literal sense, these fiery fragments of cosmic debris ignite our imagination as they streak briefly across the sky.

This rare and fleeting celestial event inspired Jaeger-LeCoultre to reimagine its magic as a mechanical complication — one that appears randomly, just like its real-world counterpart. The result: a sophisticated mechanism, conceived, developed, and produced entirely in-house, that animates a shooting star across the dial in response to the motion of the wearer’s wrist.

The Rendez-Vous Shooting Star is offered in two enchanting variants, both housed in 18-carat pink gold. The dials — crafted in the Atelier des Métiers Rares™ — feature three layered discs, the uppermost made of sapphire crystal, hand-lacquered with blooming peonies.

The intricate painting process begins with the artist freehanding each outline, followed by mirror-image foliage painted on the reverse. The flowers are then painted on the front using a highly precise technique — with nine lacquer shades for the pink model and twelve for the blue. This must be executed in one uninterrupted session, as the lacquer dries rapidly and leaves no margin for error.

Artists wear full protective gear to keep the sapphire surface free of particles. Any contamination requires starting the process anew. The result is a stunningly realistic, almost three-dimensional representation of peony blooms — rich in color, detail, and depth.

Beneath this, a rotating mother-of-pearl disc, airbrushed with a gradient of blues, evokes a star-studded night sky. A laser-cut shooting star silhouette within the disc moves across the dial, briefly revealing the third layer — a silvery metal plate with a glowing gradient finish — to create the illusion of a meteor blazing through the heavens.

A trail of diamonds, set in a three-quarter arc within the sapphire glass, traces the star’s path. The bezel is set with brilliant-cut diamonds, with additional stones on the lugs and crown — all signature codes of the Rendez-Vous line.

Pink Peony Version: Features a fully diamond-set pink gold bracelet, with 625 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 6.31 carats).

Blue Peony Version: Comes with a glossy blue alligator strap and is adorned with 189 diamonds (approx. 1.47 carats) across the case and dial.

Capturing randomness within a mechanical system is a rare achievement in traditional watchmaking. The automatic Calibre 734, comprising 335 components, makes this possible. Developed entirely in-house, it animates the shooting star in an unpredictable display — a poetic departure from the strictly regimented rhythm of classical complications.

Adding to the celestial charm, nearly 500 stars are delicately transferred onto the dials of each peony version, enhancing the sense of wonder. The peony itself — a symbol of femininity, prosperity, and grace — serves as the perfect floral muse for this dreamlike timepiece.

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