Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2

Case material

Platinium

Bracelet strap

Leather

Buckle

Folding buckle

Size

ø 55 mm

Thickness

16 mm

Movement

Manual-winding mechanical

Functions

Power reserve indicator, Tourbillon

Reference

Q 2336420

Launch date

2008

Collection

Reverso

Price excl. VAT

382’000 CHF

Description

The ethereal revolutions of the spherical tourbillonwithin a swivelling caseAfter the stunning revelation of the Gyrotourbillon I, Jaeger-LeCoultre is offering thespherical tourbillon a new stage-setting worthy of its technically innovative nature: theswivelling case of the Reverso. Presented in a decorative expression inspired by the finestHaute Horlogerie achievements, this extraordinary watch mechanism overturns longestablishedprinciples, since it represents the first time that a wristwatch houses a cylindershapedbalance-spring. Representing a splendid approach to the quest for absolute precision,the three-dimensional motion of the spherical tourbillon fascinates observers by theexceptional speed of rotation of its two carriages, with the inner one completing a full turnin 18.75 seconds, while the outer one performs a more conventional one-minute turn.Universally acclaimed at the time of its launch barely four years ago, this revolution in thetourbillon world now finds an entirely natural aesthetic expression in the Reverso, with itsdistinctive shape that further highlights the absolute beauty of this peerless technicalaccomplishment.When the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre first unveiled this avant-garde innovation in 2004, theGyrotourbillon I took the watch industry by storm as the first-ever spherical tourbillon.Composed of two carriages mounted on axes set at a 90° angle, this horological microcosm isstill the only mechanical device enabling a wristwatch to break completely free from thedetrimental effects of gravity on its timekeeping precision.A new spherical tourbillonEmbodying a mechanical marvel in its own right, the spherical tourbillon and the hundred or soparts composing it exercise an irresistible fascination by the complexity, speed and beauty of itsthree-dimensional motion. Eager to enliven still further the entrancing vision provided by thisunparalleled watch mechanism, the designers of the Manufacture decided to enhance its alreadyremarkable visual appeal by adding a touch of colour. To achieve this, they suggested that thetechnicians perform a daring thermal treatment on one of the most delicate parts of themechanism, the now famous cylindrical balance-spring with end curves, in order to give it abluish tint similar to that of the hour, minute and power-reserve hands. And since Jaeger-LeCoultre's choices are always simultaneously dictated by both functional and aesthetic criteria,the arms of the balance were meticulously open-worked to create a slender elegance that alsoimplies a considerable reduction in weight.2 following paragraphs (The barrel…. and The extraordinary….) are taken out here and usedlater in the textA key feature of the Gyrotourbilon 2: the cylindrical balance-spring with end curvesThe second version of the Gyrotourbillon is distinguished by an essential organ: the presence ofa cylinder-shaped balance-spring with end curves. This component was invented by Englishwatchmaker John Arnold, who had it patented in 1782. Due to the complexity involved in itsproduction and the difficulties implied by attempts to miniaturise it, this ingenious discoverywhich guarantees a regular and perfectly isochronous development of the balance-spring wasreserved exclusively for marine chronometers and a few generously sized pocket-watches. Itthus appeared doomed never to drive a wristworn mechanism. Innovative watchmakers chafedat this regrettable situation, since its rating characteristics are unanimously considered to beinfinitely better than those of a flat balance-spring.Nonetheless, all obstacles and pitfalls, however insurmountable they might appear, inevitablyspur the engineers and watchmakers of the Manufacture to decisive action. The latter were ableto grasp the opportunity represented by the spherical tourbillon and to present a cylindricalbalance-spring nestling at the heart of a wristwatch. Combined with the specific advantages ofthe spherical tourbillon, this innovation represents a breakthrough in the field of accuracy andpaves the way for a level of rating precision that is simply unprecedented on a timepiecedesigned to follow its wearer's arm movements.The extraordinary complexity of the spherical tourbillonEmbodying a major step forward in the history of mechanical horology, the spherical tourbillonoffers wristwatches the same advantages that the classic Breguet tourbillon had brought topocket-watches. Since the late 18th century, the tourbillon mechanism has freed watchmovements from the influence of gravity on the regulating organ and its adverse effects onprecision. This prodigiously designed mechanism serves its true purpose in a pocket-watch,which generally sits upright in a waistcoat pocket. However, the usefulness of a traditionaltourbillon is far less obvious in a wristwatch, which is usually worn in a horizontal position. Thisparticular situation requires the watchmaker to perform adjustments in several positions inorder to determine a satisfactory average rate.Through its conception and its construction built on two axes set at a 90° angle, the sphericaltourbillon is the only device that compensates for the effects of gravity in all positions.Nonetheless, actually producing it called for the use of ultra-light high-tech materials in order tocreate a mechanism able to simultaneously drive the rotation of both carriages. Their speeds ofrotation are so fast – one turn per minute for the outer carriage and one revolution in just18.75 seconds for the inner carriage – that the balance maintains constant amplitude, whicheverway it is oriented. For the first time in watchmaking history, the exactness of a watch is thusentirely independent of the position of the timepiece itself. Loyal to the uncompromisingprinciples that govern each of its decisions, Jaeger-LeCoultre refused to take the easy path toachieving this result by reducing the size of the balance or the frequency of its oscillations. Inorder to guarantee infallible accuracy, the Reveros Gyrotourbillon 2 is equipped with a largegold balance that is fairly insensitive to vibrations or shocks, has an inertia of 12.5 mgxcm2 andimperturbably oscillates at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour. In an ultimate touch of luxuryand in order to avoid any alteration in the rating in case of impacts, adjustments are made bymeans of gold inertia-blocks arranged around the rim of the balance.An absolute Reverso, for a new dimension in time measurementsIn terms of its horological functions, the Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2 displays the time by means oftwo flame-blued steel hands moving over an off-centred sapphire subdial. A fine engraving onthe wheel to the left of the dial enables one to read off the time on a 24-hour scale. Meanwhile,the seconds are indicated by a blue index that is actually part of the outer tourbillon carriage.On the back, a hand integrated within the movement indicates the power reserve on a sectorshapedbridge.Nonetheless, at the very moment when a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch appears to have revealed itsessential characteristics, a new element consistently overturns the global view that an attentiveobserver is struggling to gain. For this particular model, in order to house the manually-woundCalibre 174, the engineers of the Manufacture had to design an entirely new swivel case thatnonetheless complied with the inimitable DNA of the Reverso. By the very nature of itsoperating principle, the spherical tourbillon calls for a thicker type of envelope in order tooperate in perfect freedom and security. After making countless prototypes based on highlycomplex crystals and spheres cut from sapphires, technicians and designers finally managed toaccommodate the thickness of the tourbillon within an apparently classic case and sapphirecrystal. Representing the height of refinement, this case is even equipped with a bolt inspired bythe system used on the Reverso grande complication à triptyque, in order to prevent anyinadvertent opening of the watch. The case is water-resistant to 30 metres and fitted with anintegrated leather strap ensuring exceptional comfort on the wrist. As befits such a prestigiouswatch, the Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2 will be issued in a strictly limited platinum edition of 75.The barrel itself is fitted with a cover and a sapphire crystal so as to reduce friction on themainspring. The energy it stores is thus entirely available for the movement in order to ensure arespectable 50-hour power reserve. Meanwhile, a subtle device placed on the barrel avoids anyrisks related to excess or insufficient tension. This means that when the watch is being wound,the system blocks the winding process before the spring becomes overly taut. Conversely, themovement stops before the progressive unwinding is liable to adversely affect the watch's ratingprecision.The extraordinary manually-decorated Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 174 is composed of 371 parts.Connoisseurs of fine watchmaking will appreciate the hand-raised and polished interior angles aswell as the exquisite rounding off the intermediate carriage bridge. The German silver bridgesand mainplate feature file-drawn edges, as well as hand-raised and polished angles. The surfacesare adorned with Clous de Paris, Côtes de Genève, circular graining or satin brushing, all servingto accentuate the graphic strength of this splendid rectangular movement. These ornamentaltouches create splendid contrasts with the steel mechanisms and the gear wheels coated inyellow gold. Finally, the plate features a screw of which the purpose is liable to remain a mysteryfor generations of watchmakers, since it will reveal the secret of its function only tomicromechanical adventurers prepared to take the time required to grasp the enigma behindthe running of this matchless mechanical calibre.Nonetheless, any watchmaking devotee will soon forget the subsidiary features of the ReversoGyrotourbillon 2 and simply turn his gaze over and over to the extraordinary vision afforded byJaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 174 and the captivating revolutions of the spherical tourbillon as itexercises its truly irresistible force of attraction. As the absolute Reverso, the Gyrotourbillon 2embodies a unique accomplishment that could only emerge from a Manufacture that has alliedtraditional know-how with an indomitable spirit of innovation for the past 175 years. Thistimepiece, boasting a degree of precision on the wrist that breaks entirely free of the power ofgravity, illustrates the creative strength that nurtures the countless transformations of theReverso, the watchmaking icon appearing in consistently reinvented and perpetually fascinatingnew forms of expression.