Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Heliotourbillon Perpetual

Quick specs Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Heliotourbillon Perpetual
Price: € 476.000 | approx. CHF 400’000 | $ 438,000 | approx. £ 350,000
Size: 44 mm
Reference: Q6202420 – limited to 20 pieces per year

Wearing the Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Heliotourbillon Perpetual offers a permanent view on the spinning top effect of the tourbillon. As JLC has created an entirely new construction for their tourbillon, that now rotates on three axes. Supported on ceramic ball bearings to minimize friction it has 163 components and weighs less than 0.7 grams. And it is just one of the main features of this new Duometre.

In general, the tourbillon is to counteract the effect of the Earth’s gravity. It comes in many forms and configurations, this HelioTourbillon is fitted with a cylindrical hairspring and comprises three titanium cages. Let’s take a closer look.

Explaining the HelioTourbillon

The first cage is set at a 90-degree angle to the balance wheel, the second cage is set at 90 degrees to the first. To make a full rotation every 30 seconds, both are constrained by an axis tilted at 40 degrees. Lastly, there is the third cage, which is perpendicular to the second cage and makes a full rotation every 60 seconds.

On the background of the tourbillon is a starry sky-like deep blue lacquer and while the tourbillon spins, red triangles set on the third cage indicate 20-second intervals. These are marked on a sapphire crystal arc that floats above the background. The whole construction of the tourbillon is not only visible on the front but also from the left side of the case band.

Pocket watch style case

The case of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Heliotourbillon Perpetual is a contemporary interpretation of the so called Savonette pocket watches. These were created by JLC in the 19th century. Recognizable are the convex crystal and rounded bezel, but also the size of 44 millimeters as well as the gold case refer to those old pocket watches.

The dial has a golden bridge with micro-sandblasted and beveled areas that separates it in two. The left side is skeletonized and bears the tourbillon, the middle and right side offers all the watch’ indications. That part is a mix of opaline, brushed and azuré surfaces, with the main time on a sub dial in which the big date is integrated as well. Between 11 and 12 o’clock is the moon phase combined with the day of the week. The month and year, including red marked leap-year, is between 6 and 7.

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Heliotourbillon Perpetual has a power reserve of 46 hours per barrel

The Duometre mechanism has two barrels and two separate gear trains linked to a single regulating organ. One gear train powers the time indications and the other drives all additional functions. Each barrel has a power reserve of 46 hours, and this construction offers a high degree of operating accuracy. The power reserve of each barrel is indicated at the dial.

The movement is the hand-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 388 with a moon phase indication that is accurate to 122 years. This movement has brushed surfaces that contrast with perlage, the edges are hand-bevelled and polished, and sunrayed Geneva stripes radiate across the entire expanse of the bridges. All viewable through the sapphire case back.

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Heliotourbillon Perpetual comes on a brown alligator leather strap with small-scale alligator lining. Secured by an 18-ct pink gold folding clasp. The watch will be produced in limited numbers, 20 pieces per year at max.