The renowned Swiss watchmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre has launched a few special timepieces in order to commemorate the year in which the British Queen Elizabeth II celebrates the sixtieth anniversary on the throne. The spotlight was certainly on the special 101 model, the same watch that the queen wore six decades ago at her coronation. In addition, Jaeger-LeCoultre also launched Atmos du Millenaire Diamond Jubilee Edition clock and the limited edition of Grande Reverso Ultra Thin wristwatches.
Jaeger-LeCoultre 101 Watch
Jaeger-LeCoultre was selected as the official timekeeper of the Diamond Jubilee Pageant and it is no surprise that it decided to make several special timepieces in order to mark this event. Certainly the most interesting piece that the Swiss company made in honor of sixty years of the queen’s reign is the 101 wristwatch. It is the watch equipped with the famous Calibre 101, the smallest mechanical movement ever. Its dimensions are so minute that it almost sounds impossible. Calibre 101 is 14 mm long, 4.8 mm wide and 3.4 mm high. Such a small package is even more impressive when you consider the fact that it consists of 98 parts and has a total weight of around a gram. Having this sort of mechanism, it was possible to reduce the overall size of the timepiece, which enables the watch to look extremely refine and subtle, even though it is adorned with baguette diamonds in two rows, as it is befitting to a monarch.
The Creation of the World’s Tiniest Mechanical Movement
The smallest mechanical caliber in the world, a true jewel of micromechanics was first made in 1929. It was the time period that featured a lot of changes which were also present in the world of watchmaking, because it was the time of gradual shift from pocket timepieces to wristwatches, and also the time when timekeepers intended specially for ladies were emerging. One of the most important breakthroughs which led to the movement that still holds the title of the smallest in the world was the creation of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s iconic Duoplan timepieces. This movement was very significant because it proved that accuracy is not incompatible with smaller proportions. The problem of compromising the reliability of the watch when its proportions are scaled-down was solved by arranging its components on two levels. It also had aesthetic importance, because it also showed that timepieces can be made in other shapes as well, and not only in the traditional circular shape.
Jaeger-LeCoultre 101 Watch
After the immense success of Duoplan caliber, Jaeger-LeCoultre concentrated on scaling down the size of the movement even more, without harming its precision and this led to the amazing caliber that is still considered the minutest movement ever made. Its small proportions allowed the Swiss watchmaker’s designers to make yet unseen and magnificent creations that attracted a lot of attention and interest, and to even be worn by the Queen Elizabeth II at her coronation that happened in 1952. The new special incarnation, specially made to mark the anniversary, was presented to Her Majesty by the CEO of JLC Jerome Lambert last month. It is estimated that the price of this timepiece would be somewhere around staggering $300,000.
Atmost Clock with Royal Lineage
Another special product that was made because of the diamond jubilee is the clock from the Atmost series. Ten years ago, JLC made a special clock of the same kind for the Golden Jubilee of the queen. The Atmost clock from a decade ago was celebrating All the Queen’s horses. New Atmos du Millenaire Diamond Jubilee Limited Edition clock concentrates to Her Majesty’s lineage and bears the names of Kings and Queens of England that preceded her. The timekeeper includes indications for hour, minute, month and the phases of the moon, and has a “Dieu et Mon Droit” seal on the top of its case. This watch is equipped with an amazing movement that does not require batteries, electricity or manual winding. The movement includes a hermetically sealed capsule that contracts and expands with the shifts of temperature. It is a very efficient system that can provide enough power for the watch to run for two whole days, when the temperature changes for just a single degree. This anniversary clock is made in a very limited edition that consists of only three pieces.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos Millinaire Diamond Jubilee Clcock
The Limited Edition of Diamond Jubilee Reversos
Since Jaeger-LeCoultre was selected to be the official timekeeper of the special event that marked the Diamond Jubilee, it is not surprising that the list of watches that were created for this purpose is still not over. The final product by JLC is the limited edition from the Reverso series which are reportedly favourites of the English Royal Family ever since King Edward III became the first monarach who started wearing wristwatches. It is Grande Reverso Ultra Thi timepiece that is made in six pieces for men, and six more for women.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Men's Ultra Thin Diamond Jubilee Watch
The commemorative Reversos are made with the cases made of red gold and include the logo engravings of the Diamond Jubilee, as well as a commemorative message. Both versions have white sunray- patterned dials with hands and hour markers that match the material of the cases. The women’s version is additionaly decorated with two rows of diamonds.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Lady Ultra Thin Diamond Jubilee Watch
It’s very impressive how they managed to make such a small movement, no wonder that the Queen has chose it for the occasion.