Nicolas (amanico) offers an exclusive, up-close look at the 1928 LeCoultre Grande Complication pocket watch, a true marvel of early 20th-century horology. His detailed photographs and insights reveal the intricate craftsmanship and advanced complications that define this rare timepiece, making a nearly century-old masterpiece accessible to new generations of collectors. This article highlights why such vintage grand complications remain profoundly relevant in understanding the pinnacle of watchmaking artistry.
Grande Complication , Masterpiece, it is really hard to find the appropriate word to describe such an opus.
We are in 1928 when this pocket watch sees the light.
1928 ... We're far from our industrialized world, where machines are omnipresent.
Can you really imagine all the necessary skill, the work, the patience, the know how, the time which require a pocket watch like this one?
Here is the kingdom of Metiers d' Art ( enamelling / sculpture ), High Horology, Magic, and ... Music.
A sublime pocket watch we could only admire through an official picture, till now:
I was lucky to be able to take some real photos, I will share with some thoughts.
Such a marvel is almost unique, as very few were made.
- A delicious and discrete blend of blue ( heated blue hands, blue enameled bezel, crown protector and crown ) yellow ( solid gold hour markers on the bezel, crown protector and crown ) white ( dials ) and silver ( movement parts ), for this masterpiece signed Jaeger.
- A complete and amazing addition of complications: Perpetual Calendar ( Day / Date / Month / Moonphase / Leap year / small seconds / age of the moon ), Chronograph with split seconds, Minute Repeater.
This pocket watch still has reasonnable dimensions, despite its extreme sophistication ( While I don't have the numbers, I'd say that we are slightly above 50 mm in diameter, and a very limited thickness ).
The dial, which lets partially show the movement, is a promise of feast.
Turn it back, it is here, in all its magnificence, a sculptural beauty.
Here is the Cal LeCoultre 17 JSMCCRVQ, which is 38, 42 mm big:
Anglages, Perlages, superb and sensual curves, the Grande Maison at the summit of its Art.
That is for the visual part.
Hearing it is another extraordinary experience: Yes, this very complicated, sophisticated 83 years Old Lady is still working!
Its Minute Repeater sounds very round and generously, which is, of course, more natural and logical for a watch with such generous diameter, compared to the much smaller wrist watches.
Another excellent reason to visit the Heritage Gallery.
Have sweet gold dreams.
Best,
Nicolas.
This message has been edited by amanico on 2013-06-17 12:22:41 This message has been edited by amanico on 2013-06-22 00:06:18
