Back at the beginning of the year Jaeger-LeCoultre released their fifth gyrotourbillon, dubbed the Westminster. Needless to say, it was a technical marvel. Still, given the current climate we can’t blame JLC for leaving London behind. In fact, with the new Master Grande Tradition Gyrotoubillon 3 Meteorite, they’ve left the atmosphere.

Sure the new watch may have ditched the chiming complications of the previous watch, but it still has the phenomenal calibre 176 at its heart. That means 592 individual components and JLC’s multi-axis tourbillon, made from two independently moving cages. What it doesn’t have is the usual tourbillon bridge holding the thing up, making it more of a floating, mystery complication.

That mechanical marvel is joined by local time (obviously), a day-night indicator and, most impressively, an integrated digital chronograph. Of course, with so many moving parts the power reserve isn’t quite up to JLC’s usual standards. Still, 45 hours isn’t exactly minuscule.

All three dials are beautifully rendered with grand feu enamel in a night sky blue and, on the main dial, Namibian meteorite. The 43.5mm rose gold case is just as exquisitely finished, mixing polished and brushed surfaces. There might not be an astronomical complication anywhere to be seen, but it’s still stellar in execution.

On the flipside, the movement hides quite a lot of its moving parts underneath large, sweeping plates. Those plates however are also made from meteorite – far more of it in fact than on the dial. You can also spot the underside of the titular gyrotourbillon. The watch is still more exciting to look at from the front, but it’s a close-run thing.

Needless to say, the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon 3 Meteorite is a pricey piece. A technical and aesthetic marvel’s never going to come cheap now, is it? Still, $550,000 – just shy of £450,000. You’d better be serious if you want one of the 8 examples available.

Price & Specs:

Model Name: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition GyroTourbillon 3 Meteorite

Ref: Q5032441

Case/Dial: 43.5mm diameter x 15.8mm thickness, 18K pink gold case, aventurine/white enamel/meteorite dial

Water Resistance: 50m (5 bar)

Movement: Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 176, manual winding

Functions: Digital instant monopusher chronograph, hours/minutes, day/night indicator, gyrotourbillon

Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)

Power Reserve: 45h

Strap: Blue alligator leather

Price: €800,000, limited to 8 pieces

More details at jaeger-lecoultre.com