Today, Jaeger-LeCoultre launched a new limited edition skeletonized perpetual calendar called the Master Grande Tradition à Quantième Perpétuel 8 jours SQ. It is inspired by a Grand Complication pocket watch from 1928 (pictured below) and powered by Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 876SQ which has previously been seen in the Eight Day Platinum Perpetual Calendar Skeleton (pictured below).
The dial has silvered, grained sub-dials on a skeletonized and engraved movement. The white gold hour ring consists of a guilloché flange with translucent blue enamel. On the back, there is another guilloché flange with translucent blue enamel.
According to Jaeger-LeCoultre, “The grand feu “champlevé” enamel method is used to create these handsome components. Master enameller Miklos Merczel and his team begin by applying the enamel on the surface of the piece using a very small paintbrush. Afterward, the piece is repeatedly fired in a kiln until it acquires the desired blue hue. Each firing, which reaches temperatures between 800 and 820 degrees Celsius, jeopardizes the artwork because the torrid heat could cause cracks or undesired inclusions. The piece is then delicately polished with diamond powder. Enameling always demands plenty of patience, and the Manufacture’s most experienced enamellers need 2 days of work to complete the two enamel rings that surround the dial and movement.”
All the hands are blued, with feuilles hour and minute hands, and stick hands for the perpetual calendar – day/date/month, power reserve and day/night indications. The perpetual calendar is adjusted by a single corrector at 8 o’clock.
The movement is a hand skeletonized version of Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 876. It is manually wound, has an 8-day power reserve, 260 total components, 37 jewels and balance cadence of 4Hz. The mirror polished 18K white gold case measures 42 mm in diameter by 11.55 mm in height.
Eight Day Platinum Perpetual Calendar Skeleton
Presented on a black alligator strap with a pin buckle in 18K white gold. Limited to 200 pieces. (Ref. Q50635SQ)