The new Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic “True Second” and “Universal Time” Hands-On


Last night in New York City, at the Clocktower restaurant in the Edition hotel, Jaeger-LeCoultre debuted four new Geophysic models to a group of local watch journalists and collectors. The launch perfectly coincided with the start of the Watches & Wonders trade show, which runs from September 30th to October 3rd in Hong Kong.

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According to Philippe Bonay, the new Geophysic timepieces, which are powered by all new in-house movements, took four years to develop.

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To accommodate the new caliber 770 (True Second) and 772 (Universal Time) movements, the cases had to be enlarged to 39.6 mm and 41.6 mm, respectively, compared to the 38.5 mm diameter Tribute to Geophysic 1958 models that were launched just last year, that talked about HERE and HERE. The cases are also a bit thicker at 11.7 mm and 11.84 mm, versus 11.4 mm for the Tribute models.

In addition, the hands were changed from sword-shaped to index style hour and minute hands. A date aperture was added (True Second versions only). And the dial now has finely grained finish (True Second versions) as opposed to an opaline dial on the Tribue editions. Furthermore, there indices and chapter ring have been redesigned on the (True Second versions).

The Geophysic True Second versions have a deadbeat function that makes the second-hand tick like a quartz, even though it is a mechanical timepiece. This new in-house movement has 275 components of which 30 are dedicated to the “True Second” function.

The Geophysic Universal Time has a map and in the center of the dial and the ability to easily track to timezones, including a jumping hour function to easily set the local time when you travel.

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The technology in the movements, which includes a new high-tech Gyrolab balance, a traversing balance bridge – results in a robust, accurate and reliable timepiece as you would expect from a watch that was historically designed for use by explorers.

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And while the technical aspects of the calibers are impressive, so is the decoration which includes Geneva stripes and chamfered and polished edges on the bridges, circular graining on the main plate, and blued screws. Moreover, a new solid pink gold skeletonized rotor with Geneva stripes mounted on lubrication free ceramic ball-bearings is standard on all four models, all visible through sapphire casebacks.

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The retail price for the steel Geophysic True Second is $9,050 and $17,500 in pink gold. The retail price for the Geophysic Universal Time is $15,000 in steel and $25,000 in pink gold. Unlike the Geophysic Tribute to 1958 timepieces, these models are not limited production.