Jaeger-LeCoultre - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVI Hong Kong Wednesday, May 24, 2023 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Jaeger-LeCoultre
    Year: Circa 2019
    Reference No: Q3946420 (217.6.H9)
    Case No: 3’456’886, No. 33/75
    Model Name: Reverso Tribute Gyrotourbillon
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 179, 52 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Jaeger-LeCoultre deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 51.1mm length x 31.0 mm width
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Jaeger-LeCoultre international warranty dated 4th December 2019, Certificate of Origin, original Jaeger-LeCoultre Korea purchase invoice, instruction manual, product literature, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Launched in 2016, the Reverso Tribute Gyrotourbillon is Jaeger-LeCoultre's fourth attempt at their signature bi-axial tourbillon and the second that was fitted in a reversible swivelling case. Beautifully proportioned, the present model is much more compact, modestly sized, and wearable in comparison to the impressive Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2 of 2008.

    The silvered dial is finished with a frosted texture, matched with dark grey hands and baton hour markers. Striving for a streamlined look, the AM/PM indicator sits to the left of the dial and is counterbalanced by the open-worked barrel on the right. The main plate below the dial is tastefully embellished with radial guilloche, shining a spotlight on the tourbillon. To invite more light into the tourbillon, a polished circle on the carriage beneath the tourbillon serves as a mirror and thus enhancing its visibility. The seamless design continues to the double axis tourbillon itself and is stripped down to the essentials only. The tourbillon is now set onto the same plane as the dial, needing no bridge to set it in place. This offers an unobstructed view of the carriage, as well as the Gyrolab balance wheel that’s shaped like the manufacturer’s logo.

    Like the first generation, the outer cage of the tourbillon revolves once every 60 seconds, also serving as a seconds hand, explaining the 60-second track around the tourbillon aperture. This rotates on the same plane as the dial, while the inner cage rotates perpendicular to the dial. Requiring only a brisk 12.6 seconds to complete a revolution, compared to 24 seconds before, the inner cage all the action on the dial. Like the rest of the watch, the tourbillon itself looks less complex than that of the earlier generation, despite doing much the same thing. The most visually compelling component of the tourbillon is undoubtedly the spherical hairspring. Complex to form and install, the spherical hairspring is meant to provide better timekeeping in all positions.

    On the reverse of the present Gyrotourbillon, the dial is more elaborate, featuring skeletonised bridges covered in a simple, straight-stroke engraving. The time displayed on the back mirrors the time on the front and could be easily mistaken as a second time zone. Instead, at the top right corner a blue and gold disc indicates the time in another locale.

    Offered as an exclusive limited edition of 75 pieces, the present Reverso Tribute Gyrotourbillon is numbered 33 and is delivered in excellent overall condition with its original accessories. This complicated yet compact platinum multi-axis tourbillon dual-time wristwatch will certainly appeal to connoisseurs of hyper-technical horological inventions.

  • Artist Biography

    Jaeger-LeCoultre

    Swiss • 1833

    Not all companies in the watchmaking field have been able to stand the test of time quite like Jaeger LeCoultre, also known as the "watchmaker's watchmaker." Founded in 1833 by Antoine LeCoultre and originally named LeCoutre, the firm provided watchmaking's top brands, such as Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and Audemars Piguet, the high-grade, unfinished mechanical movements with which they completed their watches.

    In the early 1900s, Cartier's watch supplier Edmond Jaeger sought out LeCoultre's help in creating the world's thinnest watches. The collaboration resulted in the creation of Cartier's earliest Tank and Santos watches, all housed with LeCoultre movements. The duo decided to merge in 1937, and the firm officially became the Jaeger-LeCoultre brand by which collectors know and adore it today. Some of the firm's most significant and important timepieces include the Reverso, the Memovox, the Atmos clock and, among modern watches, their Master Complications.

    View More Works

Σ1044

Ref. Q3946420 (217.6.H9)
A rare and complicated limited edition platinum multi-axis tourbillon dual-time wristwatch with reversible skeletonised dial, AM/PM indication, 24-hour display, warranty and presentation box, numbered 33 of a limited edition of 75 pieces

Circa 2019
51.1mm length x 31.0 mm width
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$550,000 - 1,100,000 
€64,200-128,000
$70,500-141,000

Sold for HK$1,270,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVI

Hong Kong Auction 24 - 25 May 2023