Jaeger-LeCoultre presents the Rendez-Vous Dazzling Moon Lazura - A sparkling ode to the night sky

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An ode to femininity, the Rendez-Vous collection is an endless source of inspiration for the watchmakers and artisans of Jaeger-LeCoultre and, in 2021, La Grande Maison introduces a new homage to women: the Rendez-Vous Dazzling Moon Lazura. A glittering new interpretation of the large moon-phase display, it unites the codes of fine watchmaking and high jewellery in an exquisite ode to the romance of the night sky.

Symbolically associated with feminine virtues, the moon has inspired poets and artists since the dawn of time – and, in parallel, the quest to measure and display the moon’s changing phases has forever fascinated watchmakers.

To capture this most feminine and romantic of horological complications, the Rendez-Vous Dazzling Moon Lazura unites the rich blue of lapis lazuli with the sparkle of diamonds, the subtle warmth of pink gold and the pale gleam of mother-of-pearl. Created in the spirit of jewellery watches, with concentric circles of brilliant-cut diamonds surrounding the dial, the Rendez-Vous Dazzling Moon Lazura showcases Jaeger-LeCoultre’s uncompromising attention to detail.

To intensify the glittering beauty of the 36 large diamonds that form the outer circle, the Manufacture’s master jewellers have used a classical prong setting technique. The fine gold claws hold the diamonds high, allowing the light to pass through them from every angle, enhancing the presence of each stone and giving an impression that the entire circle is almost floating around the watch case, rather than anchored to it. This dazzling ring of diamonds is further enhanced by an inner circle of 72 grain-set diamonds adorning the bezel; in addition, the upper surfaces of the lugs are set with diamonds and an inverted diamond is set into each of the crowns.

Contrasting with the icy sparkle of the diamonds, the rich blue of the lapis lazuli dial evokes the mystical deep blue of the sky at the moment when day turns to night. On the upper part of the dial, applied ‘floral’ numerals – a Rendez-Vous signature – mark the hours. Graduated in size, they form a broad arc, soaring above an elliptical band of 68 diamonds that outlines the lower dial and draws the eye deeper into it. Here, amid the delicate tracery of a star chart, the moon plays the major role, its large size giving it a powerful presence; the pale colour and shimmering iridescence of its mother-of-pearl surface – like moonlight itself – glows against the deep blue background. On the celestial map, marking the brightest stars of each constellation, tiny polished golden hemispheres have been applied to the lapis lazuli.

Set on the edge of the dial, a hand-polished golden star – emblem of the Rendez-Vous collection – marks the time of a special appointment; it is moved into position by turning the second crown, set into the caseband at the 2 o’clock position.

The watchmakers of the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre have always been fascinated by the moon and stars, not only for their magnetic beauty but because their rhythms hold the key to mankind’s ability to measure time. Their exceptional savoir-faire in moon phase complications has brought the poetic beauty of the Rendez-Vous Dazzling Moon Lazura to life with the technical sophistication of the Manufacture Calibre 935. This self-winding movement, developed in 2015 especially for the Rendez-Vous collection, is exceptional in the accuracy of its large moon phase display: it needs no adjustment for 972 years – a very rare feat in watchmaking.

While the sophistication of the movement is testament to the watchmakers’ technical prowess, its finishing and decoration reveals their artistry. Fine details are visible beneath the transparent sapphire case-back, including Côtes de Genève stripes on both the plates and the open-worked 18-carat gold winding rotor.

Visually entrancing and mechanically exceptional, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Dazzling Moon Lazura is an exuberant tribute to feminine allure and the beauty of the night sky.