Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945 Dragon

Quick specs Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945 Dragon
Price: on request
Size: 45 mm
Reference: Q52624A3 – limited to 5 pieces only

At the end of the Chinese year of the dragon this Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945 Dragon is released. Is it late to the party or does it celebrate the end of the year of the dragon? Or are there just dragons clamber around the edge of the dial to make the total view even more complicated?

Anyway, the watch a selection of celestial complications showcasing the edges of techniques that are possible for a mechanical timepiece. On top of that comes a tourbillon, that plays a significant role, and a minute repeater. Which places this Calibre 945, developed in 2010, in the top rankings of most complicated mechanical watches.

What is sidereal time and what is celestial time?

We cannot finish this article without an explanation of what sidereal time and is celestial time. But it’s a topic for scientists, as the deeper you go, the more you find. Very interesting, but not for describing what this watch can do. In short, sidereal time is a specific system based on earth’s rotation relative to stars, while celestial time refers to any timekeeping system based on celestial movements in general. Within celestial time there are more options that are important here.

There is solar time, which is based on the position of the sun (as in apparent or mean solar time, like the time we use normally use). But there is also lunar time, based on the moon’s phases or movements. And then there is planetary time, which is based on the movements of planets. The solar time we use has a 24-hour cycle, as that’s the time it takes for the earth to rotate once on its axis relative to the sun. However, the earth’s rotation speed on its own axis relative to a far away star is not 24 hours but 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4.1 seconds. Which leads to a different time than our 24-hour system. And you can show that with gears and train and more on the dial of a watch.

What does the Master Hybris Artistica actually show?

This Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945 Dragon shows the time on our earth. The flange of the dial has three rings: the most outside with silver opaline finish shows the minutes. Then a black 12-hour ring with applied golden indexes showing the hours. Lastly a the black opaline inner ring that shows a 24-hour scale. The large golden hands together with these rings, show the actual time on our planet. But that’s just one part.

Then there is a sky chart with a celestial vault and the 12 zodiac signs. These are driven by the tourbillon that rotates counterclockwise with the speed of a sidereal day, the aforementioned 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4.1 seconds. Moreover, the dragons are rotating with the tourbillon. The celestial map has a flange with the months and days of the zodiacal calendar indicated by a sun-shaped gold pointer. Are you still there?

Minute repeater to chime the time

If you are completely dizzy from all the turning information on the layered dial, just hit the pusher at the 9 o’clock position. It chimes our time, with different sounds for hours, quarters and minutes. Jingling has never been so relaxing before…

It’s astonishing to combine a tourbillon at “space” time speed, with a real time sky chart with a celestial vault, a normal time indication and 24-hour indication, plus a day-month complication with zodiacal calendar. Let alone to build a minute repeater with all its gongs and hammers on top of that. And then add some golden dragons that move around as well. A bit too much, especially as there is no relation to the year of the dragon unless you use your imagination.

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945 Dragon has a power reserve of 40 hours

The case measures 45 millimeter, executed in 18k pink gold, with a hand-engraved pink gold bezel. Which has scales that match those on the dragons’ bodies and on the small-scale alligator lining of the strap. Inside the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945 Dragon runs the Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 945 with 520 parts. It’s hand-wound and delivers a power reserve of 40 hours.

The ase back reveals a part of what’s going on inside, with a good view on parts of the minute repeater for instance. This Calibre 945 comes on an alligator leather strap with small-scale alligator lining and the model is limited to 5 pieces only. The price is on request.