Jaeger-LeCoultre is another luxury watch brand that I would like to introduce you to. Considered one of the world’s most innovative brands, it has some really interesting timepieces in its portfolio.
Master Grande Tradition Calibre 948, Jaeger-LeCoultre instagram
A little bit of history
LeCoultre & Cie was founded in 1833 by Antoine LeCoultre in Le Sentier – a small Swiss Vallée de Joux town. It quickly became known as the ‘Grande Maison’ of Swiss watchmaking – LeCoultre brought together many types of craftsmanship in one place.
Reverso Classic Duetto, Jaeger-LeCoultre instagram
In 1937, a merger with French watchmaker Edmund Jaeger took place – creating a brand that still has the ‘in-house’ 180 skills required to create a good watch. Jaeger-LeCoultre is also renowned for skilfully combining traditional watch-making methods with incredible innovation.
Innovation in the world of tradition
Jaeger-LeCoultre is said to have developed more than 1,200 individual calibres and holds 400 unique patents, making the brand one of the most innovative in the world of luxury watches. Good examples include the Grande Complication watch, known as one of the most complicated watches in the world, or the world’s smallest movement named Calibre 101.
Polaris Mariner Memovox, Jaeger-LeCoultre instagram
This innovation is something that sets Jaeger-LeCoultre apart from the rather traditional world of luxury watches. Yes, the company respects traditions, but at the same time, it is constantly looking for new and ever more amazing solutions. In the case of this brand, we are dealing with watchmaking creativity at the highest level.
1000-Hour Test
Every Jaeger-LeCoultre watch undergoes the so-called 1000-Hour Test. This is an in-house certification programme and involves testing the movement before and after insertion into the watch case. The engraving of the 1,000 Hour Control on the case back indicates that the test has been passed. In addition, each timepiece comes with an 8-year guarantee, but given how decently and precisely these watches are made, it is rare that anyone needs to use it.
Reverso Tribute Small Seconds, Jaeger-LeCoultre instagram
How much do Jaeger-LeCoultre watches cost?
Watches from such a prestigious brand are not cheap things. Prices for the most economical pieces start at a few thousand dollars apiece, and the most expensive can cost up to several hundred thousand dollars, such as the Gyrotourbillon, limited to 75 pieces, which has a price tag of $404,000.
Rendez-Vous Dazzling Shooting Star, Jaeger-LeCoultre instagram
PS. For those who particularly enjoy reading about watches, next week I will have an article about investing in timepieces in 2022.
What do you think?