Jaeger-LeCoultre just unveiled their latest timepiece, a watch inspired by the celestial phenomenon known as the shooting star. Shooting stars are unpredictable and seen as one of the most romantic and intriguing of all the celestial phenomena. This rare occurrence has intrigued mankind since the very beginning and is now used as the reference point by Jaeger-LeCoultre to create the Rendez-Vous Star.
The Rendez-Vous Star creates the phenomenon of the shooting star on its dial, thanks to a whole new movement created by Jaeger-LeCoultre. The amazing part of this watch is that the shooting star appears at total random, between four to six times per hour. The shooting star is activated through the mechanisms in the movement which allow it to appear at random moments. If one wishes to see it at any given moment, however, this can also be done by turning the crown several times.
Jaeger-LeCoultre presents the Rendez-Vous Star in two variants; a white gold case with a silvery-blue dial, and a pink gold case with a soft golden-brown dial.
Design:
Both variants of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vouz Star come in 36mm case sizes. The uppermost part of the dial consists of three layers made from transparent sapphire glass, which consists of stars and miniature hand-painted clouds and the crescent moon (done on both sides). These sapphire glasses conceal the shooting star when it’s inactive.
Beneath the transparent sapphire glass is a rotating circular disc that is made of titanium and has a cut out of the shooting star. The shooting star is an intense night blue for the white gold version
and dark taupe colour for the pink gold version. When the movement activates the shooting star, the titanium disc spins on the dial, which sends the star on its curving path on the upper part of the dial.
Making the trajectory of the shooting star stand out, a three-quarter circle of diamonds has been set into the sapphire glass dial. The bezel, upper surface of the lugs, and top of the crown have also been set with diamonds. A total of 189 diamonds for 1.48 carats is used to display this stunning glittering effect on each variant of the Rendez-Vous Star timepiece.
Movement:
To create the mechanism which displays the shooting star was certainly no easy task. The challenge lies in defying the laws of horology where all movements and mechanisms are carried out through precisely calibrated and mathematical rhythms. Using their vast knowledge and experience, the brand’s in-house engineers and designers created the new automatic calibre 734, which contains the shooting star mechanism. This innovative movement is the first to produce a celestial or cosmic effect that appears at random as a watchmaking complication. The Calibre 734 movement also gives out a sturdy power reserve of approximately 70 hours.
Equipped with a beautiful artistic dial and an innovative mechanism to show a cosmic event unlike before, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Star is a stunning testament to the celestial phenomena that is the shooting star.
References: Q36434C1 – white gold version, Q36424C1 – pink gold version
Specification:
- Case: 36 mm and 11.6mm thickness
- Case Material: White Gold. and Pink Gold
- Dial: Sapphire crystal set with diamonds & miniature hand-painting; titanium
- Function: Hours, minutes and “shooting star” complication
- Water resistance: 50 meters
- Movement: Automatic mechanical Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 734
- Power reserve: 70 Hours
- Strap: shiny alligator with folding buckle
