HAUTE HORLOGERIE
A BRAND NEW THREE-AXIS TOURBILLON: THE HELIOTOURBILLON
Pushing the boundaries of inventiveness further than ever, the new Duometre Heliotourbillon Perpetual watch features an entirely new tourbillon construction: one that rotates on three axes to create a ‘spinning top’ effect.
CONCEPT
A BREAKTHROUGH IN PRECISION
Before the creation of the Duometre, adding complications to a watch movement seemed irreconcilable with accurate timekeeping. That is because a complication must draw on the power supply, which interrupts the steady flow and thus jeopardises precision.
THE PHENOMENAL DUOMETRE CONCEPT
CALIBRE
CALIBRE 388: PRECISION AT HEART
Jaeger-LeCoultre distinguishes itself with the development of increasingly sophisticated means of achieving the perfect regularity of the ‘heartbeat’ of its calibres. Beating at a frequency of 4Hz to further enhance chronometry, Calibre 388 ensures highly accurate timekeeping.
MOVEMENT
NEW ROTATION ON MULTIPLE AXIS
The Duometre Heliotourbillon Perpetual watch, features a newly developed tourbillon configuration rotating on three axes, to counteract the effect of the Earth’s gravity. Creating a unique kinematic effect, it is supported on ceramic ball bearings to minimise friction and consists of 163 components weighing less than 0.7 grams.
SPINNING-TOP EFFECT
Fitted with a cylindrical hairspring, the Heliotourbillon comprises three titanium cages. The first cage is set at a 90-degree angle to the balance wheel. The second cage is set at 90 degrees to the first. Together, they are constrained by an axis tilted at 40 degrees and make a full rotation in 30 seconds. The third cage is perpendicular to the second and makes a full rotation in 60 seconds.
A PERPETUALLY LEGIBLE GRANDE DATE
Calibre 388 also features a grande date display on its perpetual calendar: a classical yet rare complication set at 3 o’clock to ensure great legibility. Additionally, the year indication is set with a special mechanism able to highlight in red the last digit of every leap year – a Jaeger-LeCoultre patent – and the moon-phase indication is accurate to 122 years.
DESIGN
POCKET-WATCHES INSPIRED
The case is a contemporary interpretation of the Savonette pocket watches created by the Maison in the 19th century. With its convex crystal and gracefully rounded bezel, it is composed of 34 separate parts with screwed lugs, and a mixture of finishes creating a fascinating play of light.
Spinning to create a unique spectacle, our innovative triple-axis Heliotourbillon combines precision in timekeeping & aesthetics.
A SOPHISTICATED DIAL
The triangular arrangement of the dial directly expresses the underlying mechanism with its two barrels and gear trains. Separated by a gold bridge, the two sides of the dial create an intriguing play of light. On the left, an open-worked fascinating view on the tourbillon, while on the right, refined finishes abound with a mix of opaline, brushed and azuré surfaces.
NOBLE ART OF WATCHMAKING TRADITION
The fine decorations are carried over to the movement, even on components not visible through the sapphire crystal caseback: brushed surfaces contrast with perlage, edges are hand-bevelled and polished, and sunrayed Geneva stripes radiate seamlessly across the entire expanse of the bridges.
