INTRODUCING: The Jaeger LeCoultre Duometre Heliotourbillon Perpetual

Jaeger LeCoultre (JLC) has definitively carved a place for itself in the lore of Swiss watchmaking through its tireless innovation and masterful creation of compilations. They have even lent their movement-making expertise to just about every powerhouse watchmaker you can think of. Their groundbreaking Duometre system (which is masterfully on display in this watch) revolutionized the creation of complicated wristwatches. By successfully housing two separate mainspring barrels and gear trains within the same movement (not to mention, linking the pair to the same escapement) watches with the Duometre system can use the complications without depleting the power reserve of the watch’s timekeeping function. This innovation was game-changing for the industry at large when it first arrived in 2007, but JLC has been adding innovations to their lineup since, including their newest heavy hitter - The Duomètre Heliotourbillon Perpetual.

THE BASICS:

BRAND: Jaeger LeCoultre

Model: DUOMÈTRE HELIOTOURBILLON PERPETUAL

Case Material: Pink Gold

Case Size: 44mm

Water Resistance: 3 Bar (30 meters)

Movement: JLC Caliber 388

Movement Specs: Manually wound, perpetual calendar, JLC Duometre system, twin power reserves

Strap Options: Alligator Leather

THE JUICE:

The new Duomètre Heliotourbillon Perpetual is just another in a long list of examples of what makes Jaeger LeCoultre such a sought-after watchmaker. They combine beauty and function together better than almost anyone in the industry - and this new complication being offered is a prime example of their capabilities as a manufacturer. The star of this piece is the Heliotourbillon - a beneficiary of eight decades of JLC’s extensive tourbillon-producing expertise. The tourbillon rotates on three axes and additionally includes small red arrows to pair with the 20-second graduation for a running seconds indication. The exclusive new Calibre 388 also houses a perpetual calendar - something JLC has also long been known for. In the nature of user friendliness, the time can be set forward or backward without risk of damage to the movement - a traditional user headache when it came to setting a perpetual calendar (set it too far forward and you might have a bit of a wait on your hands).

Despite all the impressive technology at work in this timepiece, JLC still managed to make it incredibly aesthetically pleasing - as they do all across the catalog. Calibre 388 is housed inside a stunning pink gold case adorned with hand-carved finishes in every nook and cranny. An opaline silver dial sets the perfect backdrop for a very legible readout. The inclusion of a grande date display really helps the symmetry of the dial as well as legibility on the whole. Even the tiniest details such as the leap year indicator, which integrates right into the year display, are executed perfectly (the last digit of a leap year will appear red, while other digits will be blue)

Even though Jaeger LeCoultre is a well-known producer of complicated watches, they are still able to shock the industry with their innovation, and this is as good an example as any

So how much is the Duomètre Heliotourbillon Perpetual?

Price will come in at $438,000 USD.

Read more about the watch on the brands website here.