by John Jeffay
(IDEX Online) - Jaeger-LeCoultre has released two new high-jewelry watches featuring its iconic Calibre 101 - still the world's smallest mechanical movement after more than 90 years.
Snowdrop and Bangle are both made of pink gold set with around 20 carats of IF to VVS stones, and both feature the Calibre 101, which measures 14 mm x 4.8 mm, with a thickness of 3.4 mm and weighs barely one gram.
Snowdrop features 904 diamonds, 204 are pear-shaped and 700 brilliant-cut (a total of 20.9 carats), and is inspired by the white bell-shaped flowers that grow through a thin layer of snow. The gem-setting work alone takes 130 hours. The price is $480,000.
Bangle, described as "an altogether bolder expression of femininity," is set with 996 brilliant-cut diamonds (a total 19.7 carats), graduated in size to emphasize the sweeping curves of its Art Deco design. The price is $412,000.
The Calibre 101 was hailed as a design revolution and a remarkable feat of miniaturization when it was introduced by the luxury Swiss watchmaker in 1929.
Queen Elizabeth II wore such a watch at her coronation in 1953, a gift from French president Vincent Auriol.
Pic shows Bangle (left) and Snowdrop. Courtesy Jaeger-LeCoultre
