Two is better than one
One of the most exciting innovations from Jaeger-LeCoultre in recent times was the introduction of the Duometre in 2007. How does it work and affect the movement? Well, it works like an engine with two fuel tanks. In the case of Duometre, there are two barrels, with their gear train working independently from each other. One provides energy for the time and the other for the complications, and they both drive the same escapement. The result is a superb degree of accuracy. Over the years, we have seen it in several variants with different complications.
At the recent Watches & Wonders 2024, Jaeger-LaCoultre turned its focus once again to the Duometre. It’s our pleasure to present to you the two variations.
Duometre Chronograph Moon
At first glance, you will be alright to feel a little confused, but after a few seconds, you will realise reading them comes quite easily. The upper right dial houses the chrono hours and minutes counters in blue hands with the moonphase. The upper left dial is the time indicator in hours and minutes with gold hands and the day and night indicator. The central blue hand is the seconds hand, and the central gold hand is the continuous second. At six o’clock is the flying seconds 1/6th second counter. It has two power reserve indicators for each barrel – one below the hours and minutes dial and one below the Chronograph dial. The watch is driven by a brand-new hand-wound Calibre 391 with a monopusher for the Chronograph. It is housed in two entirely case variants, in pink gold with a silver opaline dial and platinum with copper-coloured dial, and both are 42.5mm. Looking at them in their entirety, they all animate at different paces or speeds. Just delightful to look at.
Duometre Heliotourbillon Perpetual
There is definitely a symmetry, and yet it doesn’t seem to, yet you can’t admire the beauty of it. The hours and minutes dial is positioned at three o’clock and shares its dial with the large date window. They sit just the opposite on the three-quarter dial from the open dial that reveals the new heliotourbillon. This tourbillon is like no others it rotates on all three axes to deal with any gravitational pull that might affect its regulating organs, and it’s a joy to watch as it spins like a top. Accompanying it is something equally spectacular the Perpetual Calendar. The day and moonphase indicator are on the sub-dial at 11 o’clock, and the month and year indicator at 7 o’clock, both are slightly off-centred. The watch is driven by a hand-wound Calibre 388 and comes with 46 hours of power reserve for each barrel and comes with power reserve indicators. This gorgeous marvel is housed in a 44mm pink gold case.
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