Watches & Wonders 2026 New Releases: Jaeger-LeCoultre Unveils the 'Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Jumping Date'
At Watches & Wonders 2026, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the 'Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Jumping Date', limited to 100 pieces. It features a modernized architectural redesign of the chronometry-winning Caliber 978 and an exquisite open-worked dial.
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- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 16:09
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Overview:
• High-precision caliber: A new movement architecture creates a fresh aesthetic for Caliber 978, which won the first modern chronometry competition in 2009.
• Open-worked 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 design codes of the Grande Tradition.
• Rounded, elegant bridges: 18K white gold bridges enhance the aesthetics of the new tourbillon and the 24-hour disc.
Jaeger-LeCoultre has reinterpreted one of its signature tourbillon calibers with the new Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Jumping Date. The highly precise and reliable Caliber 978 was introduced two decades ago, and its victory three years later in 2009 at the first modern chronometry competition continues to celebrate the remarkable feat achieved by the Manufacture. Featuring a reconstructed movement architecture, the latest Caliber 978 is housed in a new 42mm 18K pink gold case. Paying a vibrant and elegant homage to the illustrious history of this caliber, the dial design has been completely refreshed and adorned with the most refined haute horlogerie finishes. This latest model is produced in a limited edition of 100 pieces.
An Exceptional Tourbillon Caliber Pursuing Precision
Invented to compensate for the effects of gravity on the regulating organ and improve the precision of the watch, the tourbillon has been a subject of dedicated research for Jaeger-LeCoultre for many years since the Manufacture developed its first tourbillon movement in 1946. Since then, the Manufacture has continuously refined its approach to the regulating organ, developing numerous technical innovations aimed at enhancing chronometric performance.
Chronometer Characteristics: Caliber 978 is a prime example of these advancements. In 2009, inspired by the observatory competitions of the 19th century, it won the first modern chronometry competition held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the International Museum of Horology in Le Locle, Switzerland, surviving a grueling 45-day testing period. This test was conducted by two independent official bodies and rigorously verified not only the precision of the watch's movement but also its reliability when worn, specifically including shock resistance and anti-magnetic tests. This competition clearly demonstrated the validity of the tourbillon escapement's original purpose, as well as the exceptional quality and precision achieved by the Manufacture's craftsmanship.
Ultra-lightweight regulating organ: The tourbillon of the Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Jumping Date is composed of 64 parts and weighs less than 0.5 grams.
Intuitive jumping date mechanism: When first released, Caliber 978 introduced an ingeniously designed yet playful 'jumping' date mechanism in addition to the 60-second tourbillon, and this mechanism continues to be integrated into the new watch. The date display is arranged around the periphery of the dial, with the numbers 15 and 16 positioned on either side of the tourbillon aperture, separated by an angle of nearly 90 degrees. Starting at midnight on the 15th of each month, the date hand makes a seamless leap to the 16th, ensuring the tourbillon remains completely visible.
Ingenious 24-hour disc: The Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Jumping Date features a 24-hour disc that can be adjusted independently from the main hour and minute hands. When synchronized with the main time display, this disc indicates day and night (AM/PM), but it also functions exquisitely as a second time zone display.
Haute Horlogerie Movement Finishing
For Jaeger-LeCoultre, a Manufacture that constantly invents, conceives, and improves innovations, Caliber 978 is strictly no longer the exact same movement. Reconstructed with 305 components, intriguing elements can be admired through the dial's open-worked sections. The improved architecture is elevated by far more sophisticated finishes.
The finishing of these intricate components brings together the specialized expertise of eight different ateliers within the Manufacture. The caliber is adorned with 10 types of decorations, including perlage, chamfering, hand-beveled edges, linear brushing, sunray brushing, Côtes de Genève, sandblasting, and diamond polishing. Over 30 parts are decorated by hand, and 61 inward angles have been hand-beveled.
Tourbillon...
• High-precision caliber: A new movement architecture creates a fresh aesthetic for Caliber 978, which won the first modern chronometry competition in 2009.
• Open-worked 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 design codes of the Grande Tradition.
• Rounded, elegant bridges: 18K white gold bridges enhance the aesthetics of the new tourbillon and the 24-hour disc.
Jaeger-LeCoultre has reinterpreted one of its signature tourbillon calibers with the new Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Jumping Date. The highly precise and reliable Caliber 978 was introduced two decades ago, and its victory three years later in 2009 at the first modern chronometry competition continues to celebrate the remarkable feat achieved by the Manufacture. Featuring a reconstructed movement architecture, the latest Caliber 978 is housed in a new 42mm 18K pink gold case. Paying a vibrant and elegant homage to the illustrious history of this caliber, the dial design has been completely refreshed and adorned with the most refined haute horlogerie finishes. This latest model is produced in a limited edition of 100 pieces.
An Exceptional Tourbillon Caliber Pursuing Precision
Invented to compensate for the effects of gravity on the regulating organ and improve the precision of the watch, the tourbillon has been a subject of dedicated research for Jaeger-LeCoultre for many years since the Manufacture developed its first tourbillon movement in 1946. Since then, the Manufacture has continuously refined its approach to the regulating organ, developing numerous technical innovations aimed at enhancing chronometric performance.
Chronometer Characteristics: Caliber 978 is a prime example of these advancements. In 2009, inspired by the observatory competitions of the 19th century, it won the first modern chronometry competition held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the International Museum of Horology in Le Locle, Switzerland, surviving a grueling 45-day testing period. This test was conducted by two independent official bodies and rigorously verified not only the precision of the watch's movement but also its reliability when worn, specifically including shock resistance and anti-magnetic tests. This competition clearly demonstrated the validity of the tourbillon escapement's original purpose, as well as the exceptional quality and precision achieved by the Manufacture's craftsmanship.
Ultra-lightweight regulating organ: The tourbillon of the Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Jumping Date is composed of 64 parts and weighs less than 0.5 grams.
Intuitive jumping date mechanism: When first released, Caliber 978 introduced an ingeniously designed yet playful 'jumping' date mechanism in addition to the 60-second tourbillon, and this mechanism continues to be integrated into the new watch. The date display is arranged around the periphery of the dial, with the numbers 15 and 16 positioned on either side of the tourbillon aperture, separated by an angle of nearly 90 degrees. Starting at midnight on the 15th of each month, the date hand makes a seamless leap to the 16th, ensuring the tourbillon remains completely visible.
Ingenious 24-hour disc: The Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Jumping Date features a 24-hour disc that can be adjusted independently from the main hour and minute hands. When synchronized with the main time display, this disc indicates day and night (AM/PM), but it also functions exquisitely as a second time zone display.
Haute Horlogerie Movement Finishing
For Jaeger-LeCoultre, a Manufacture that constantly invents, conceives, and improves innovations, Caliber 978 is strictly no longer the exact same movement. Reconstructed with 305 components, intriguing elements can be admired through the dial's open-worked sections. The improved architecture is elevated by far more sophisticated finishes.
The finishing of these intricate components brings together the specialized expertise of eight different ateliers within the Manufacture. The caliber is adorned with 10 types of decorations, including perlage, chamfering, hand-beveled edges, linear brushing, sunray brushing, Côtes de Genève, sandblasting, and diamond polishing. Over 30 parts are decorated by hand, and 61 inward angles have been hand-beveled.
Tourbillon...