Words: Gentleman's Journal
The perpetual calendars from the Master collection have got to be counted among the greatest Jaeger-LeCoultre watches. A perpetual calendar—a machine that keeps track of the date, including uneven months and leap years, without ever needing to be reset—is one of horology’s most revered and difficult complications. Only the most experienced watchmakers are able to attempt them, and it can take several months to produce a single watch, even for a class leader such as Jaeger-LeCoultre.
What we have here is a perhaps an even more phenomenal example of this legendary timekeeping function, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Eight Day Perpetual Skeleton, ref.Q16164SQ. Only one hundred examples of this piece were ever produced. The first thing you’ll notice about the Skeleton is the movement, because it’s staring you in the face. All dial elements have been stripped away, leaving the glorious calibre 876SQ exposed in all its finery. The 876 is a masterful creation, using 260 parts and two mainspring barrels to build an entire perpetual calendar with an insane eight-day power reserve—something that’s rare enough in itself.
But this is not merely the 876, it’s the 876SQ. SQ stands for squelette, which is French for skeleton. Yet the genius of the watch is that it’s remarkably easy to read despite appearing so complex at first glance. Refusing to compromise on the 876SQ’s transparency, the watchmakers at Jaeger-LeCoultre have worked their magic on almost every aspect of the display, using small patches of contrasting colours to highlight the necessary information. The effect is utterly captivating, creating an impression of harmony and mechanical mastery. It’s not just a watch to tell the time, or even the date with—it’s a watch to behold and admire.
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