EDITOR’S PICK: JLC’s Master Calendar Meteorite is out of this world

Editor’s Note: Meteorite dials are nothing new – but we rarely see this exotic dial material on otherwise conservative pieces. The juxtaposition creates a truly special watch with a one-of-a-kind dial that we’d never get tired of staring at. 

One of the watches we were most looking forward to seeing in the metal at SIHH 2015 was the brand new, meteorite dialled Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Calendar Meteorite dialled watch. From the press shots we weren’t sure if we’d love this watch or (how do we say this politely) – prefer the traditional dialled version. Luckily for all concerned the watch wears very well – the meteorite doesn’t overpower the traditional aesthetic of the JLC Master Calendar, but rather the depth and texture of the dial compliments and contrasts with the sobriety of the calendar design. 

The dial is a single thin slice of meteorite, treated to show of the iron rich structure of the stone – which makes it a very difficult material to work with, but the results are worth it. I think the combination of pink gold and grey dial is a particularly handsome combination.

Somewhat surprisingly, these watches are not limited edition, but rather limited production. This meteorite dial is an interesting direction for JLC, but I think they’ve managed to avoid falling into gimmickry – sure, they’re not for everyone but they don’t have have to be.

Australian Pricing: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Calendar Meteorite

The steel version will retail for A$15,500 and the gold for A$29,400.

Specifications

Movement

• Mechanical automatic winding movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 866 • 43-hour power-reserve
• 305 parts
• 32 jewels
• 5.65 mm thick
• 26 mm in diameter

Functions

• Hour, Minute • Seconds
• Day
• Date
• Month
• Moon phases

Case

• Steel or 18-carat pink gold • Diameter: 39 mm
• Thickness: 10.6 mm
• Polished finish
• Cambered sapphire crystal
• Water-resistance: 5 bar

Dial

• Meteorite
• Applied hour markers

Hands

• Hours and minutes
• Dauphine-type Crown
• One crown to wind and adjust the watch

Strap

• Alligator leather, steel folding clasp
• Alligator leather, 18-carat pink gold pin buckle

References

• Q1552540 (pink gold)
• Q1558421 (steel)