Jaeger-LeCoultre has unveiled a remarkable new timepiece that pushes the boundaries of watchmaking artistry and technical innovation. Limited to just five pieces, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945 “Dragon” showcases the brand’s exceptional craftsmanship and celestial expertise.
This exceptional watch features a pink gold case housing the famous Calibre 945, a movement that combines a celestial chart, a zodiacal calendar and the patented Cosmotourbillon. The dial is a masterpiece of multilayered design, creating a three-dimensional canvas for two intricately hand-engraved gold dragons that seem to guard the celestial complications.
At the heart of the dial is a domed celestial map depicting the Northern Hemisphere as seen from the 46th parallel, the location of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s manufacture in the Vallée de Joux. This map rotates in real time, offering a fascinating view of the ever-changing beauty of the night sky.
The Cosmotourbillon, which goes beyond its role as a regulating organ, orbits the dial counterclockwise in a sidereal day – a period slightly shorter than our standard 24-hour solar day. This unique feature allows the watch to track time based on the Earth’s rotation relative to distant stars, adding an astronomical dimension to timekeeping.
The celestial complications are complemented by an innovative minute repeater, a hallmark of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s expertise in chiming watches. The mechanism incorporates several patented innovations, including crystal gongs and trebuchet hammers, to ensure a pure and harmonious chime in keeping with the watch’s celestial theme.
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The bezel of the Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945 “Dragon” is a work of art in itself. Hand-engraved with scales matching those of the dragon’s body, it required 50 hours of meticulous craftsmanship by the artisans of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Métiers Rares workshop.
At the periphery of the dial, three concentric rings indicate solar time, with different finishes adding depth and visual interest. A gold hand in the shape of the sun indicates the months and dates of the zodiacal calendar, while a matte black disc beneath the sky chart is adorned with tiny stars, echoing the celestial theme.
This exceptional timepiece is a harmonious blend of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s rich heritage in astronomical complications and its futuristic approach to watchmaking. The Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945 “Dragon” is not just a timekeeper, it’s an artistic expression of mankind’s enduring fascination with the cosmos.
