Watches & Wonders 2026 New Release: Jaeger-LeCoultre Unveils the 'Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Jumping Date'
Jaeger-LeCoultre reinterprets one of its iconic tourbillon calibres, the Calibre 978, which won the first modern chronometry competition in 2009. The new Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Jumping Date features a re-engineered movement structure, an openworked dial highlighting the tourbillon and jumping date, a refined 42mm case, and elegant rounded 18K white gold bridges. This latest model is a limited edition of 100 pieces.
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Summary:
• High-precision Calibre: A new movement structure creates a new aesthetic for Calibre 978, which won the first modern chronometry competition in 2009.
• Openworked Dial: A new design that highlights the tourbillon and the iconic "jumping" date mechanism.
• Refined Case: A 42mm case composed of 60 parts, condensing the Grande Tradition design codes.
• Elegant Rounded Bridges: New tourbillon and 24-hour disc aesthetics enhanced by 18K white gold bridges.
Jaeger-LeCoultre has reinterpreted one of its emblematic tourbillon calibres with the new Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Jumping Date. The precise and reliable Calibre 978, introduced 20 years ago and winner of the first modern chronometry competition three years later in 2009, celebrates the remarkable achievements of the Manufacture. The latest Calibre 978, with its re-engineered movement structure, is housed in a new 42mm 18K pink gold case, featuring a refreshed dial design and more refined haute horlogerie finishing, as a vibrant and elegant homage to the calibre's illustrious history. This latest model is a limited production of 100 pieces.
An Exceptional Tourbillon Calibre in Pursuit of Precision
Invented to compensate for the effects of gravity on the regulating organ and enhance the accuracy of a watch, the tourbillon has been a field of dedicated research for Jaeger-LeCoultre for many years, with the Manufacture developing its first tourbillon movement in 1946. Since then, the Manufacture has constantly refined its approach to regulating organs, developing numerous innovations aimed at improving chronometric performance.
Chronometer Characteristics: Calibre 978 is a prime example of these advancements. In 2009, inspired by 19th-century observatory competitions, it won the first modern chronometry competition, a grueling 45-day test held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the International Watch Museum in Le Locle, Switzerland. This test, conducted by two independent public bodies, rigorously verified not only the accuracy of the watch's movement but also its reliability in wear, including shock resistance and anti-magnetic tests. This competition clearly demonstrated the legitimacy of the original purpose of the tourbillon escapement and the exceptional quality and precision achieved through the Manufacture's craftsmanship.
Ultra-light Regulating Organ: The tourbillon of the Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Jumping Date is composed of 64 parts and weighs less than 0.5g.
Intuitive Jumping Date Mechanism: When first introduced, Calibre 978 featured a tourbillon that completed a rotation in 60 seconds, along with a playful yet ingeniously designed "jumping" date mechanism, which continues to be incorporated into the new watch. The date display is positioned on the outer periphery of the dial, with 15 and 16 located on either side of the tourbillon aperture, separated by an angle of almost 90 degrees. Starting at midnight on the 15th of each month, the date hand smoothly moves to the 16th, ensuring the visibility of the tourbillon.
Ingenious 24-hour Disc: The Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Jumping Date features a 24-hour disc that can be adjusted independently of the main hour and minute hands. This disc displays day and night (AM/PM) when synchronized with the main time display, but also functions exquisitely as a second time zone indicator.
Movement Finishing in Haute Horlogerie
For Jaeger-LeCoultre, which constantly invents, conceives, and refines innovations, Calibre 978 is no longer strictly the same movement. Reconstructed with 305 components, the dial's apertures offer a fascinating view of its elements. The improved structure is enhanced by more sophisticated finishing.
The finishing of these complex components brings together the expertise of eight different workshops within the Manufacture, applying ten types of decoration to the calibre, including perlage, chamfering, hand-beveling, linear brushing, sunray brushing, Côtes de Genève, sandblasting, and diamond polishing. Over 30 components are hand-decorated, and 61 angles are hand-bevelled.
The two 18K white gold upper bridges spanning the tourbillon and the 24-hour disc are exquisitely polished into perfectly rounded half-moon shapes using a haute horlogerie technique known as berçage (rounding). This process requires precise and skilled manipulation of a brushing file in a rocking motion. Visible through the transparent sapphire case back, the bridges are adorned with sunray-style stripes, known as the Côtes Soleillées decoration, emblematic of Jaeger-LeCoultre. The radial stripes harmoniously match the shape of the baseplate, complementing the classic tourbillon with its screw-balance and decorated lower bridge. The design of the full-sized winding rotor is inherited from the original Calibre 978. The elaborately finished monobloc 22K pink gold rotor features a large cut-out, ensuring visibility of the tourbillon.
Clear Mechanism: A New Design for Functional Display
The new Master Grande Tradition featuring Calibre 978 adopts an unprecedented dial design. It features an openworked structure that reveals the main elements of the calibre, including the tourbillon and 24-hour disc supported by white gold bridges, and the jumping date mechanism. In addition to the large aperture for the tourbillon, the redesigned movement structure allows for a second cut-out at 9 o'clock. This aperture offers a view of the mechanism driving the calendar, allowing observation of its function in prompting the rapid movement of the date hand. Another aperture, positioned at 2 o'clock to maintain the visual balance of the dial, allows a glimpse into the mechanism, revealing the structural screws supporting the axle.
The dial is exquisitely decorated in every detail. The 18K pink gold dial features a barleycorn pattern, creating texture and visual depth beneath a layer of deep blue translucent enamel, providing a luxurious contrast with the 18K pink gold applied hour markers. A red JL anchor at the tip of the long pointer hand indicates the date, and a red arrow indicates the time on the 24-hour sub-dial.
Jaeger-LeCoultre has integrated Calibre 978 into a refined new pink gold case that adheres to the Grande Tradition design codes. Multiple polished, brushed, and micro-blasted finishes applied to the 60 components create a captivating play of light. The elegant ensemble is enhanced by a classic black alligator strap with a small-scale alligator lining and an 18K pink gold folding buckle.
With the Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Jumping Date, Jaeger-LeCoultre honors the status of the eponymous movement in watchmaking history, combining proven precision with a refined contemporary aesthetic.
Technical Specifications
Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Jumping Date
Case: 18K Pink Gold (750/1000)
Size: 42 x 12.5 mm
Calibre: Jaeger-LeCoultre Automatic Calibre 978
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds (tourbillon sub-dial), Jumping Date, 24-hour display second time zone, 1-minute tourbillon
Power Reserve: 45 hours
Front Dial: Blue enamel, barleycorn pattern
Back Dial: Transparent
Water Resistance: 5 bar
Strap: Black alligator strap, small-scale lining, 18K pink gold folding buckle
Reference: Q4202480
Limited edition of 100 pieces
About the "Valley of Invention"
The Vallée de Joux, the origin of Jaeger-LeCoultre, remains its home to this day. "The Valley of Invention" pays homage to this secluded valley where refugees from across Europe found refuge 600 years ago. Amidst harsh conditions and severe winter cold, the early inhabitants were compelled to cultivate resilience, perseverance, and ingenuity to survive. Ten generations later, in the early 19th century, Antoine LeCoultre, a self-taught watchmaker, laid the foundation for modern watchmaking by inventing machines that could measure and cut watch components with unprecedented precision. Since the establishment of LeCoultre's first watchmaking workshop in 1833, this spirit of ingenuity and pursuit of precision has continued to define Jaeger-LeCoultre. A series of inventions and technical advancements led to the creation of calibres sought after by many major manufacturers for their own watches. This led to Jaeger-LeCoultre being recognized as "The Watchmaker's Watchmaker™." As evidenced by over 430 patents to date, continuous invention has nurtured the Grand Maison's pursuit of precision to this day and continues to lead it into the future.
Jaeger-LeCoultre – The Watchmaker's Watchmaker™
Since 1833, Jaeger-LeCoultre, driven by an insatiable desire for innovation and creativity, has drawn inspiration from the tranquil natural environment of its home in the Vallée de Joux, distinguishing itself with its masterful techniques in complex mechanisms and precision. Known as the Watchmaker's Watchmaker™, the Manufacture has expressed its ceaseless spirit of innovation through the creation of over 1,400 calibres and more than 430 patents. Jaeger-LeCoultre's watchmakers, utilizing over 190 years of accumulated expertise, design, manufacture, finish, and decorate cutting-edge, precise mechanisms, blending centuries of know-how and passion to connect the past and the future. Timeless, always in sync with time. With over 180 different specialized crafts gathered under one roof, the Manufacture breathes life into haute horlogerie, combining its craftsmanship with aesthetic design and a unique, understated sophistication.
jaeger-lecoultre.com
• High-precision Calibre: A new movement structure creates a new aesthetic for Calibre 978, which won the first modern chronometry competition in 2009.
• Openworked Dial: A new design that highlights the tourbillon and the iconic "jumping" date mechanism.
• Refined Case: A 42mm case composed of 60 parts, condensing the Grande Tradition design codes.
• Elegant Rounded Bridges: New tourbillon and 24-hour disc aesthetics enhanced by 18K white gold bridges.
Jaeger-LeCoultre has reinterpreted one of its emblematic tourbillon calibres with the new Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Jumping Date. The precise and reliable Calibre 978, introduced 20 years ago and winner of the first modern chronometry competition three years later in 2009, celebrates the remarkable achievements of the Manufacture. The latest Calibre 978, with its re-engineered movement structure, is housed in a new 42mm 18K pink gold case, featuring a refreshed dial design and more refined haute horlogerie finishing, as a vibrant and elegant homage to the calibre's illustrious history. This latest model is a limited production of 100 pieces.
An Exceptional Tourbillon Calibre in Pursuit of Precision
Invented to compensate for the effects of gravity on the regulating organ and enhance the accuracy of a watch, the tourbillon has been a field of dedicated research for Jaeger-LeCoultre for many years, with the Manufacture developing its first tourbillon movement in 1946. Since then, the Manufacture has constantly refined its approach to regulating organs, developing numerous innovations aimed at improving chronometric performance.
Chronometer Characteristics: Calibre 978 is a prime example of these advancements. In 2009, inspired by 19th-century observatory competitions, it won the first modern chronometry competition, a grueling 45-day test held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the International Watch Museum in Le Locle, Switzerland. This test, conducted by two independent public bodies, rigorously verified not only the accuracy of the watch's movement but also its reliability in wear, including shock resistance and anti-magnetic tests. This competition clearly demonstrated the legitimacy of the original purpose of the tourbillon escapement and the exceptional quality and precision achieved through the Manufacture's craftsmanship.
Ultra-light Regulating Organ: The tourbillon of the Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Jumping Date is composed of 64 parts and weighs less than 0.5g.
Intuitive Jumping Date Mechanism: When first introduced, Calibre 978 featured a tourbillon that completed a rotation in 60 seconds, along with a playful yet ingeniously designed "jumping" date mechanism, which continues to be incorporated into the new watch. The date display is positioned on the outer periphery of the dial, with 15 and 16 located on either side of the tourbillon aperture, separated by an angle of almost 90 degrees. Starting at midnight on the 15th of each month, the date hand smoothly moves to the 16th, ensuring the visibility of the tourbillon.
Ingenious 24-hour Disc: The Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Jumping Date features a 24-hour disc that can be adjusted independently of the main hour and minute hands. This disc displays day and night (AM/PM) when synchronized with the main time display, but also functions exquisitely as a second time zone indicator.
Movement Finishing in Haute Horlogerie
For Jaeger-LeCoultre, which constantly invents, conceives, and refines innovations, Calibre 978 is no longer strictly the same movement. Reconstructed with 305 components, the dial's apertures offer a fascinating view of its elements. The improved structure is enhanced by more sophisticated finishing.
The finishing of these complex components brings together the expertise of eight different workshops within the Manufacture, applying ten types of decoration to the calibre, including perlage, chamfering, hand-beveling, linear brushing, sunray brushing, Côtes de Genève, sandblasting, and diamond polishing. Over 30 components are hand-decorated, and 61 angles are hand-bevelled.
The two 18K white gold upper bridges spanning the tourbillon and the 24-hour disc are exquisitely polished into perfectly rounded half-moon shapes using a haute horlogerie technique known as berçage (rounding). This process requires precise and skilled manipulation of a brushing file in a rocking motion. Visible through the transparent sapphire case back, the bridges are adorned with sunray-style stripes, known as the Côtes Soleillées decoration, emblematic of Jaeger-LeCoultre. The radial stripes harmoniously match the shape of the baseplate, complementing the classic tourbillon with its screw-balance and decorated lower bridge. The design of the full-sized winding rotor is inherited from the original Calibre 978. The elaborately finished monobloc 22K pink gold rotor features a large cut-out, ensuring visibility of the tourbillon.
Clear Mechanism: A New Design for Functional Display
The new Master Grande Tradition featuring Calibre 978 adopts an unprecedented dial design. It features an openworked structure that reveals the main elements of the calibre, including the tourbillon and 24-hour disc supported by white gold bridges, and the jumping date mechanism. In addition to the large aperture for the tourbillon, the redesigned movement structure allows for a second cut-out at 9 o'clock. This aperture offers a view of the mechanism driving the calendar, allowing observation of its function in prompting the rapid movement of the date hand. Another aperture, positioned at 2 o'clock to maintain the visual balance of the dial, allows a glimpse into the mechanism, revealing the structural screws supporting the axle.
The dial is exquisitely decorated in every detail. The 18K pink gold dial features a barleycorn pattern, creating texture and visual depth beneath a layer of deep blue translucent enamel, providing a luxurious contrast with the 18K pink gold applied hour markers. A red JL anchor at the tip of the long pointer hand indicates the date, and a red arrow indicates the time on the 24-hour sub-dial.
Jaeger-LeCoultre has integrated Calibre 978 into a refined new pink gold case that adheres to the Grande Tradition design codes. Multiple polished, brushed, and micro-blasted finishes applied to the 60 components create a captivating play of light. The elegant ensemble is enhanced by a classic black alligator strap with a small-scale alligator lining and an 18K pink gold folding buckle.
With the Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Jumping Date, Jaeger-LeCoultre honors the status of the eponymous movement in watchmaking history, combining proven precision with a refined contemporary aesthetic.
Technical Specifications
Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Jumping Date
Case: 18K Pink Gold (750/1000)
Size: 42 x 12.5 mm
Calibre: Jaeger-LeCoultre Automatic Calibre 978
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds (tourbillon sub-dial), Jumping Date, 24-hour display second time zone, 1-minute tourbillon
Power Reserve: 45 hours
Front Dial: Blue enamel, barleycorn pattern
Back Dial: Transparent
Water Resistance: 5 bar
Strap: Black alligator strap, small-scale lining, 18K pink gold folding buckle
Reference: Q4202480
Limited edition of 100 pieces
About the "Valley of Invention"
The Vallée de Joux, the origin of Jaeger-LeCoultre, remains its home to this day. "The Valley of Invention" pays homage to this secluded valley where refugees from across Europe found refuge 600 years ago. Amidst harsh conditions and severe winter cold, the early inhabitants were compelled to cultivate resilience, perseverance, and ingenuity to survive. Ten generations later, in the early 19th century, Antoine LeCoultre, a self-taught watchmaker, laid the foundation for modern watchmaking by inventing machines that could measure and cut watch components with unprecedented precision. Since the establishment of LeCoultre's first watchmaking workshop in 1833, this spirit of ingenuity and pursuit of precision has continued to define Jaeger-LeCoultre. A series of inventions and technical advancements led to the creation of calibres sought after by many major manufacturers for their own watches. This led to Jaeger-LeCoultre being recognized as "The Watchmaker's Watchmaker™." As evidenced by over 430 patents to date, continuous invention has nurtured the Grand Maison's pursuit of precision to this day and continues to lead it into the future.
Jaeger-LeCoultre – The Watchmaker's Watchmaker™
Since 1833, Jaeger-LeCoultre, driven by an insatiable desire for innovation and creativity, has drawn inspiration from the tranquil natural environment of its home in the Vallée de Joux, distinguishing itself with its masterful techniques in complex mechanisms and precision. Known as the Watchmaker's Watchmaker™, the Manufacture has expressed its ceaseless spirit of innovation through the creation of over 1,400 calibres and more than 430 patents. Jaeger-LeCoultre's watchmakers, utilizing over 190 years of accumulated expertise, design, manufacture, finish, and decorate cutting-edge, precise mechanisms, blending centuries of know-how and passion to connect the past and the future. Timeless, always in sync with time. With over 180 different specialized crafts gathered under one roof, the Manufacture breathes life into haute horlogerie, combining its craftsmanship with aesthetic design and a unique, understated sophistication.
jaeger-lecoultre.com