With the Hybris Mechanica Eleven, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon, the watchmaking Manufacture has broken all previous records. The Master Grand Tourbillon Enamel and the Master Ultra Thin Perpetual may have astounded many fine watchmaking aficionados. Eight distinct firm patents, six of which were filed particularly for the Hybris Mechanica Eleven, cover the mechanics of this wonderful clock.
This watch, the eleventh example of high horology in the Hybris Mechanica line from Jaeger-LeCoultre, is the company’s first ever ultra-thin grand complexity wristwatch. It has lovely dauphin-style hands, a casing that is 7.9 mm thick and 41 mm broad with short curved lugs, and a highly proportionate design that is reminiscent of pocket watches from 1907. The very thin tourbillon is nestled inside, and you can see directly into the mechanism at 6 o’clock via the dial’s aperture.
This construction was made feasible by the development of a novel balancing spring, and the whole Calibre 362 movement, including the tourbillon, is just 4.8mm thick. Hybris Mechanica Eleven also has a minute repeater in addition to the flying tourbillon. There are no guesses there either because it was also completely constructed! While at it, Jaeger-LeCoultre also changed a few other things. The Swiss manufacturer developed a repeater that “knows” when there aren’t any quarters and shortens the gaps between the chimes to maintain a more constant beat.
Additionally, the repeater makes use of trebuchet hammers and sapphire gongs set on the rear crystal, both of which were designed by the Swiss company for earlier Hybris Mechanica models. Because it offers superior acoustics for the minute repeater, especially in these small case dimensions, 18k white gold was chosen for the case rather than the more expensive platinum. Speaking of which, Jaeger-LeCoultre illustrates that there are methods to create a tiny automatic-winding movement along with everything else, just when you start to believe the watch can’t possible also have automated winding because the rotor is a fundamental means of adding thickness to a movement.
Here comes the Hybris Mechanica Eleven peripheral automated rotor. Actually, the rotor is on the dial side and is visible through cut holes on the exterior of the dial, providing mechanical movement fans with a visual treat! Who could contest the fact that this is a watchmaking masterpiece that was revolutionary for its time? A premium alligator leather strap fastened by a white gold pin buckle completes this extremely fashionable grandfather of Grand Complications. In 2014, just 75 of the ultra-exclusive Hybris Mechanical Eleven Master Ultra Thin Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon will be produced. The complete scoop should be available at the year’s SIHH, but for the time being, it is anticipated to cost around $400,000.
