As perhaps the most complex and prestigious of complications, perpetual calendars tend to appear in delicate dress watches more often than not. That’s not to say that the complication never finds its way into sportier cases — it does, just not that often. But we don’t recall ever seeing a perpetual calendar quite as sporty as the one Jaeger-LeCoultre just dropped at Watches and Wonders in Geneva.
For the first time, JLC has added a perpetual calendar to its ultra-sporty Polaris line, creating — you guessed it — the Polaris Perpetual Calendar. Available in stainless steel or solid pink gold, both versions measure 42mm across and feature the same dual crown setup and decidedly sporty styling of the rest of the Polaris line. Naturally, though, it’s the inside that counts, as the watches are both powered by the in-house caliber 868. The automatic movement possesses a perpetual calendar with moonphase, is made up of 351 components, and boasts a power reserve of 70 hours. Adding to the sportiness of the pieces is a robust water-resistance of 100m.
If perpetual calendars are a bit mundane for you, well, that’s insane. But you’re also in luck, because JLC also unveiled a trio of frankly absurd new pieces that showcase its full watchmaking capabilities. With the Master Grande Tradition Calibre 948, JLC has crafted a unique worldtimer that sees a flying tourbillon make a journey around an enameled globe dial once every 24 hours. Even more impressive are the Master Hybris Artistica Galaxia and Master Hybris Artistica Atomium. Both watches feature dials capable of tracking the constellations in real-time thanks to the Grande Complication Calibre 945, a movement that also features a Cosmograph tourbillon and a minute repeater.
JLC is often referred to as the “watchmaker’s watchmaker” due to the way it produces movements that other brands have no choice to respect, but with these latest releases, we say it’s high time everyone got on board with the Grand Maison. The Polaris Perpetual Calendar is available now from JLC for $29,600 in steel or $44,300 in pink gold, with both options including a three-link bracelet and a rubber strap.
