Jaeger LeCoultre is one of our favourite brands, (we paid tribute to Jaeger LeCoultre's Reverso series in one of our newsletters) and so we were excited to hear that a set of three timepieces by the great watchmaker, collectively known as Hybris Mecanique, were to be sold separately for the first time.
The trio, originally sold in 2009, were offered in a Modern and Vintage Timepieces auction in Hong Kong, yesterday (February 26). All were the second of editions limited to 20 in total.
They consisted of two white gold gyrotourbillons, the former being a perpetual calendar bi-retrograde date spherical tourbillon wristwatch boasting equation of time and leap year calendar.
These were listed at HK$1.9m-2.3m and HK$1.4m-1.7m and each beat their estimate, achieving HK$2.42m and HK$1.82m respectively.
Both were bettered by the third member of the party, however: The Jaeger LeCoultre White Gold Reverso Triptyque Grand Complication.
 The Jaeger LeCoultre White Gold Reverso Triptyque Grand Complication watch |
Offered in its original box, this a perpetual calendar timepiece - triple-dial reversible tourbillon wristwatch with retrograde date, and also offers civil time, equation of time, sidereal time and even a sky chart and comes with its original box.
The rectangular, 18k white gold wristwatch is extremely complicated, including some of our favourite complications.
With one eye firmly on the skies, it sports moon phases, a Zodiac Calendar, a sky chart, Siderial time and the times of sunrise and sunset. There is also a visible one-minute tourbillon, "marchante" equation of time and impeccable date-keeping with a perpetual calendar including leap-year indication and an instant retrograde date display.
In addition, there is a power reserve and day & night indication. The final price for the watch was HK$2.54m.
Collectors frustrated to miss out on this auction will be pleased to know that we have a timepiece by the Swiss luxury watchmakers, Longines available right now - at a more affordable price too.
