A Closer Look at the $26 Million Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaille

Precision timepiece and breathtaking jewelry are the words that can best describe the Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaille. With a price tag of $26 million, you should expect the Jaeger-LeCoultre to be something out of this planet. All efforts in regards to creating a durable timepiece have been put into this watch. Right from the design, the assembling processing, and most importantly, inclusion of secret patented technology. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaille is a part of the 101 Jaeger-LeCoultre wrist watches for ladies. The series is mainly made up of high-end watches that have managed to capture the hearts of ladies all over the world. It might be the thick band of polished diamonds that speaks to the hearts of many or it could be the bespoke timepiece that comes with it. Only a few can resist the allure of strolling the streets with a 576 diamonds Jewell around their wrist in a show of might and class.

About The Timepiece

It is contained in a compact volume of 0.2 cubic centimeters, with the casing measuring 14 mm by 4.8 mm and a thickness of 3.4 mm. Each piece of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaille is 100% unique from the other. The manufacturer ensures that custom features ordered by clients are embedded on the watch to give it a unique look. It could be an internal mark, mechanical difference or anything that distinguishes an individual watch from the other. The beauty of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaille lies in the details. This simple wrist wearable has 98 distinct components. The pieces are carefully assembled by the best watchmakers in the world. Every detail is handcrafted and attention accorded to every piece of the 98 components. To attain the highest level of precision, the pieces are counter checked every step on the way. Given that there are only a few well-equiped watchmakers, the process of assembling such small pieces could take a long time. However, when quality is at stake, time does not count. The balance wheel of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaille oscillates at 21, 600 vibrations per hour to the highest precision. The face of the watch itself is a show, with its bright silver colored dial and sapphire crystal. The winding crown just adds to the overall design. This watch borrows a lot from the Wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 101.

In the 101 series of watches, the Joaille stands out although it borrows a lot from other watches in the line like the 101 Feuille. The combination of fine watchmaking techniques with jewelry perfection gives this watch a stand over the rest. Thanks to ancestral expertise, the wrist band alone is a haven of small hidden diamonds. The other watches in the 101 line that have come as much close to the beauty of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaille include the 101 Feuille and the 101 Reine. These watches give women an edge over the world, making them heroines day and night. It is not surprising that the 101 class of watches has become the true standard for measuring social class. The 101 Reine is one of the easily recognizable beauties in the world of jewelry watches. However, Feuille is more secretive. You could be fooled to think the 101 Feuille is just another backstreet everyday watch at a glance. A closer look will reveal the beauty of the design. It all lies in the lid, which makes the shape of the headdress and can be closed and opened at will. The secret mechanics used in designing some of the watches in the 101 line will never be revealed since they are patented.

History Of Jaeger-LeCoultre Watches

When it comes to custom jewelry and royal class watches, history has to take center stage. Before someone pops out a whopping $26 million for a wrist wearable, they should have a reason. One of the reasons behind the Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaille pricing is the rich history associated with the brand. The earliest records of Jaeger-LeCoultre family in Switzerland can be traced to the 1600s. In early 1600, Pierre Le Coultre fled France to Genever to escape religious persecution. Later, he was accorded the status of "Inhabitant" giving him legal rights to be a Swedish citizen at the time. He moved to Vallee de Joux and bought land there. His son Pierre LeCoultre established a church there and founded the village of Le Sentier. The company manufacturing Jaeger-LeCoultre watches is still based in this region over 4 centuries down the line. In 1833, Antoine LeCouture invented a small machine for cutting watch pinions from steel. He went on to create his first timepiece and also invented the world's most precise measuring instrument, the Millionometre. In 1847, LeCoultre created the first keyless system to set and rewind watches. He received a Gold Medal for his works at the First Universal Exhibition.

Recent Developments

The Smoot Hawley Tariff Act disrupted the manufacture of LeCoultre watches in the US. In 1932 to 1985, many watches were manufactured in the US and cased in locally produced cases but sold under the LeCoultre name. After 1985, Jaeger-LeCoultre reclaimed its spot and was adopted worldwide. Some collectors claim that the American LeCoultre is not associated with the Switzerland LeCoultre. The confusion in the history of the two stems from the fact that the supplier of LeCoultre watches in the US in the 1950s, Longines-Wittnauer, had developed different LeCoutre casings and watches. It was until 1985 that all the mistakes were rectified and the supplier started supplying LeCoutrre watches made in Switzerland.

Conclusion

Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaille is one of the best wrist wearables of our time. Besides the fact that the timepiece is carefully handcrafted to precision, this watch is a beauty to marvel at. The exterior design combines precisely coiled pieces of gold and silver making it a beauty to behold. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaille is just one in the line of 101 Jaeger-LeCoultre watches that have become outstanding. These watches are loved due to their mechanical crafting and jewelry beauty. Further, the watches are associated with the rich history of Jaeger-LeCoultre. The watch brand can be traced back to the 18th century, with known family history dating back to the 16th century.