Introducing The Jaeger-LeCoultre Duomtre Unique Travel Time, A Serious World-Time Watch Now in Pink Gold

February 04, 2014

One watch, two brains is how Jaeger-LeCoultre describes its Dual-Wing concept, first introduced in 2007. Two distinct mechanisms are used within the movement: one ensures timekeeping accuracy (to Chronometer levels, no less) while the other powers a range of additional functions, like the moon phase complication in the Duometre Quantieme Lunair. While dual timezones have been used before in the Duomtre Sphrotourbillon, the new Duomtre Unique Travel Time in pink gold features a dial layout structured entirely around this function.The two timezone dials sit side by side here. The home dial at 2 oclock features hours and minutes hands on a classic dial configuration with four Arabic numerals in pink gold (at 12, 3, 6, and 9). The travel dial at 10 oclock is completely different, with large digital jumping hours at the sub dials 12 oclock and a blued minutes hand. At first glance, these markedly different dials appear inconsistent, but these clear-cut differences make the watch more useful to jet-lagged travelers.Adding to the watchs utility, both timezones can be set using the single main crown. One of the more notable design details is the bright blue globe, surrounded by a GMT +/- ring, at 6 oclock. The globe is synchronized with the travel time, rotating to the appropriate timezone. This makes the watch a true worldtimer, though it must be read graphically instead of with clearly marked cities. Jaeger-LeCoultres in-house calibre 383 sits at the heart of the Duomtre Unique Travel Time. This manual-wind movement with 50-hour power reserve consists of 498 parts all finished and assembled by hand. The hallmark of this movement is that each of the two timekeeping mechanisms has its own power source, which aids in precision while other functions (such as a chronograph, or in this case second time zone) are in use. It would be a shame to hide this technical powerhouse, so the calibre 383 can be seen at work through a sapphire crystal case back. At 42mm diameter and 13.65mm thick, the watch is entirely wearable and sits very well on the wrist considering the bevy of features on the dial. At most, youll notice the aforementioned blue globe from a distance, but even this appears a tasteful novelty rather than garish feature.While the original white gold version was only available at Jaeger-LeCoultres Paris boutique, the new?Duomtre Unique Travel Time in in pink gold will be available at all Jaeger-LeCoultre boutiques worldwide. For more information, visit Jaeger-Le Coultre online.