This year, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Calibre 948 returns with a quiet but meaningful evolution. Presented in an 18K pink gold case with a new enamel dial, the watch is one of the purest expressions of the Manufacture’s ability to combine technical precision with artistic craftsmanship.
The art of measuring global time
Before standardized time zones, every city marked its hours by the position of the sun. It was only in the late 19th century that the concept of a global time standard emerged, centered in Greenwich, England. The Calibre 948 pays homage to this historical moment by combining the universal concept of time with the precision of a mechanical heart.
At its core is the Universal Tourbillon, a Jaeger-LeCoultre invention that completes one rotation of the dial every 24 hours, mirroring the Earth’s rotation. The flying tourbillon completes one revolution every 60 seconds, appearing to float weightlessly above the oceans on the enamel dial. Both the world map and the city ring turn in perfect harmony, tracing the quiet movement of time across continents.
The dial is a canvas of craft
The new enamel dial is more than decoration; it is the work of artisans from Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Métiers Rares™ atelier. The continents are sculpted from 18K pink gold and brought to life through champlevé enameling, a centuries-old technique involving the carving of cavities that are then filled with enamel and fired multiple times until the surface is perfectly smooth.
Each layer of enamel adds depth, creating subtle variations in color that hint at the differences between landscapes. Nine layers of enamel alone were required for the dome of the map, a process demanding extraordinary patience and precision.
Beneath this delicate dome lies the ocean, represented by a dial plate covered in blue translucent lacquer. The lacquer is applied over a guilloché pattern that is hand-engraved to suggest the rhythm of the sea. Up to 17 layers of lacquer are applied, each one dried, polished, and checked before the next is added. The final result captures light in a way that shifts with every angle, making the dial seem alive.
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A movement designed for simplicity and precision
While the artistry draws the eye, the technical centerpiece is the Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 948 movement. It unites two rare complications – world time and a flying tourbillon – within a single mechanism. This 388-component, automatic movement is entirely designed, assembled, and finished in the Vallée de Joux.
Setting the time is remarkably straightforward. The crown controls all world time zones simultaneously. When traveling, the local time can be adjusted by moving only the hour hand, leaving the minutes and seconds undisturbed. This design philosophy reflects Jaeger-LeCoultre’s approach to complications: complex construction and simple use.
The Calibre beats at 4 Hz, offering a 48-hour power reserve. The movement’s architecture is visible through the sapphire caseback and is finely finished with Geneva stripes, polished screws, and perlage—details that remind the wearer that Jaeger-LeCoultre is a true manufacture.
The case crafted to frame the complication
At 43 mm in diameter and 14.13 mm thick, the pink gold case strikes a balance between presence and refinement. Its design plays with light through alternating polished, satin-brushed, and micro-blasted surfaces. The convex bezel catches reflections, and the hollowed lugs add a sense of dynamism. The result is traditional yet unmistakably modern.
A dark blue alligator strap complements the dial’s tones, harmoniously connecting the watch’s visual and mechanical elements. Though complex inside, the overall impression on the wrist is serene—a hallmark of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s finest creations.
A limited edition for the discerning collector
Only twenty Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Calibre 948s (reference: Q52824E2) will be made, ensuring this version remains as rare as the techniques behind it. For collectors, it represents the synthesis of two long-standing traditions: the scientific pursuit of time and the human pursuit of beauty.
The watch also stands as a reminder of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s position as the Watchmaker of Watchmakers™. With nearly two centuries of expertise, over 1,400 calibers developed, and 430 patents granted, the Manufacture continues to bridge heritage and innovation under one roof.
