Jaeger-LeCoultre Limited Edition Geophysic True Second Watch

Jaeger-LeCoultre recently unveiled the latest edition of its Geophysic True Second watch. The watch brand is banking that aficionados will be impressed by the history of the timepiece, the rare “True Second” complication and that it is limited to 100 pieces.

This watch has some serious history. The Geophysic was first built in 1958 for the International Geophysical Year, with its many scientific discoveries and explorations to showcase the technical prowess of the watch brand. The chronometer was given to U.S. Naval Captain William Anderson in 1958, who led the first successful voyage under the polar ice cap surrounding the North Pole onboard the USS Nautilus nuclear submarine.

The Le Sentier-based watch manufacturer reintroduced the watch in 2014 in a more classic model and with its trademark Gyrolab balance wheel and the True Second complication. The main features of this newest version is its blue sunburst dial, its limited availability and that it can only be purchased on the Jaeger-LeCoultre eCommerce page on its website. Its cost is $9,900.

Powering the classic looking 39.6mm stainless steel watch is the in-house caliber 770 automatic movement, including the rare “True Second,” complication and a 40-hour power reserve. The True-Second is often referred as a “deadbeat second” complication. Simply it means it is a watch that ticks once per second as opposed to the function of a normal second hand, which can click up to ten times per second. The oscillating weight of the caliber is made of pink gold and shaped like an anchor. The sapphire crystal caseback offers a view of the movement. Engraved around the perimeter is: “limited edition – one of 100”.

Meanwhile, the Gyrolab balance wheel is an invention of Jaeger-LeCoultre in which the balance wheel is shaped in a non-circular design. It provides, at least in theory, increased precision due to its smaller size and better energy management.

Despite the complexity inside, on the outside it is a classic looking watch that displays hours, minutes, and “True Seconds.” A simple date window is at 3 o’clock. The blue, sunburst pattern dial is enhanced with a white cross, applied hour-markers, luminescent points on the flange and luminescent triple-faceted hands.