Jaeger-LeCoultre

When I saw the Hybris Artistica Mystérieuses for ladies and men, at the Jaeger Lecoultre Booth during the 2017 SIHH, I couldn't handle it and take some pictures of these watches, so it was tough for me to write a review on these watches without having a closer look at them. 

During my visit at the Jaeger Lecoultre Booth, this year, I asked to see the " Mystérieuse " in the metal and the permission to take some pictures. 

Hybris Artistica... This name sounds magic, since the Manufacture unveiled the whole collection of " wonders " in 2014. Twelve crazy creations, revealing the talents and the skills of the brand in making watches without limits nor compromises. 

Hybris Artistica is the gathering of rare handcrafts / métiers rares. 

So, when you hear that a new Hybris Artistica is on the be unveiled, your heart beats faster. 

A promise of horological and artistic excitement? 

The Hybris Artistica Mystérieuse for ladies is an interesting concept and outcome, but its aesthetics don't sing to me, I have to confess, as I am insensible to jeweled watches. 

Here it is: 

The " Mystérieuse " for men is another story. The level of craftsmanship is at an expected... Level, for both sides.

The first detail which literally jumps is the finishing of the whole watch. The dial, the case, the crown, the oscillating weight, too.

The first word which comes to mind is " precious ", " highly refined " being a good alternative to describe it.

The Mystérieuse is an ode to the Art of Skeleton. But when skeletons are, as far as I remember, always a work on the movement, here, it is different. Almost everything is skeletonized, except... The movement, the exception of the exception being the rotor.

Like a true piece of art, there is some interpretation. What do you see when you look at that dial? A spiderweb, a rosette, sun rays? 

You see what you want to see, but you can't help looking at it, with a certain admiration. 

The dial is made of three parts: The outer dial, a ring made of mother of pearl, featuring the minutes, and the gold hour markers, then the sculptural work of the skeletonized mother of pearl, converging to the tourbillon, and the deep blue background in aventurine with its countless gleams, like stars shining in a pure  summer night. 

This dial exudes poetry. 

It also exudes magic, or mystery, if you prefer. 

Indeed, it offers a different way to read the time. A mysterious way. And Jaeger Lecoultre has a true legitimacy in making Mysterious Watches. Here is a link which will allow you to learn a bit more about Mystery and Galaxy Jaeger Lecoultre and Lecoultre watches, made in the late Fifties till the mid Sixties: 

http://www.watchprosite.com/page-wf.forumpost/fi-2/pi-7639833/ti-1057253/s-0/t--jaeger-lecoultre-mystery-or-galaxy-a-review-on-a-superb-watch/ 

And two pictures of the elusive reference E 334: 

Its movement, the Cal 812: 

Indeed, on the vintage, or on the Mystérieuse from 2017, you don't have hands to read the time. 

On the 2017 opus, you have a sophisticated / refined solution to tell the hours: a Tourbillon.

It is a flying tourbillon as it doesn't have a bridge, and we could also call it " Caroussel " due to the fact that it makes one revolution around the dial each twelve hours. 

The tourbillon is deliciously finished with its triple arch and stylized triangle shapes for the carriage, and its hand guilloché background. 

The minutes are displayed by a gold powder arrow. 

To my knowledge, there is only another watch which can compete as a " Mystérieuse " with a Tourbillon, the Ulysse Nardin Freak Diavolo. 

So, it is a pretty unique concept in the horological universe. 

But the dial is not the only part of this watch which is worth a serious look. The case is another reason to be captivated. 

Its proportions are elegant, with a 42 mm diameter and a height of 13, 8 mm. It is water resistant to 50 meters. But it is the way it is finished which is the most impressive. 

Its lugs are filled, not to say sculptured with aventurine, the side case is skeletonized, as well as... The case back! 

The outcome is pretty spectacular. 

On a personal note, I would have liked to have the choice between a colored gold and a white noble metal case, for this watch. Platinum, or Tantalum would have been great alternatives, even if this rose gold execution doesn't lack charm nor appeal. 

The movement  has been exclusively made for the Hybris Artistica Mystérieuses ( ladies and men ). 

The Cal 941/A is an automatic movement, made of 441 parts, beating at the pace of 28, 800 alternances per hour, and offers a power reserve of 50 hours. 

That's for the technical part of it. Now, it is hand finished, NOT skeletonized, at the exception of its rotor, which is partially filled with aventurine. 

Even if the rotor is superb, the automatic movement is the part of the watch which convinces me the less... For such a watch, I would have liked a manual winding movement, personally.

Still, this Mystérieuse is a true Hybris Artistica, a summit of horological and artistic skills and talents. With a touch of magic and poetry. 

Like other members of this exclusive family, this is the kind of watch you will need some luck to be able to admire it in the metal. 

It was a privilege and a huge pleasure to " meet " it. 

A privilege I had to capture with some live photos, to try to add some soul to the official pictures which are a bit too clinical for my taste. 

Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts, 

Best. 

Nicolas

More posts: Ballon BleuFlying TourbillonJaeger LeCoultre

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