For more information about the Jaeger-LeCoulte Duometre concept in detail, you can read the aBlogtoWatch Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Chronograph watch review here. In going with the “dual wing” Duometre theme, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Spherotourbillon has dual power reserve indicator on the dial – one for each of the mainspring barrels, as in this watch they are separated. Functions on the dial are actually quite simple, even though the face of the Spherotourbillon appears to be full of information. The main feature of course is the off-centered indicator for the time, which is surrounded by a retrograde pointer-style date indicator.
One interesting feature that isn’t obvious is a stop seconds hand. That means that when you press the pusher above the crown the second hand reverts to zero. Note the different blued steel versus pink gold hands, which is a nice touch. In addition to the time, the dial has a synchronized 24-hour hand which serves as an AM/PM indicator. Last, it has a subsidiary seconds dial. All the information is very legible, thanks to a good use of high contrasting materials. Pretty much the only way to get away with polished hands and other elements is to put them against a totally matte face – which Jaeger-LeCoultre properly does.
With a generous amount of hand-finishing, the 460-part caliber 382 manually-wound movement is a joy to observe through the sapphire crystal caseback of the watch case. German silver has a distinct look to it, which patina’s over time. The diversity of colors is appealing and includes both the German silver, brass, steel, and rubies. You really get the impression that Jaeger-LeCoultre hasn’t just built a complicated machine, but a machine with culture – and outside of the watch world, that is something difficult to replicate.
On the wrist, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Spherotourbillon is a good size, at 42mm wide, currently only available in 18k pink gold. At 14.1mm thick, it isn’t a chunky watch, but it is very noticeable. Overall, Jaeger-LeCoultre has made good use of space, and I think 42mm wide for a complicated dressy style watch like this is appropriate. No one who chooses to wear a Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Spherotourbillon does so without any desire of being noticed and hopefully appreciated.
As a watch writer, it is easy to claim that “mere tourbillons” are passe, and that if you are keen on a tourbillon, you should really focus on getting something more exotic and interesting, like a Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Spherotourbillon. A more important issue, in my opinion, is to ask, “just how many people are walking around with any kind of tourbillon-based movement on their wrist?” I really don’t know, and frankly, I haven’t seen too many on people’s wrists outside of the watch industry. Perhaps in parts of China, the Middle East, and Russia, tourbillons are going to be more common, but otherwise they are rare items, despite how frequently new ones get debuted each year. Tourbillons are still very much a status item, and having an exotic one, such as a Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Spherotourbillon, sort of implies that you’ve probably been through at least one traditional tourbillon watch.
So in that regard, I think it takes a highly dedicated watch lover to even consider the Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Spherotourbillon ref. 6052520 (Q6052520) as a possible watch purchase and item to wear. You not only have to have the money, but also have developed the taste and understanding to properly enjoy it. Price is $236,000. jaeger-lecoultre.com