DUTY CALLS

The Battle of Britain was a military campaign during the Second World War, which saw the UK’s bravest pilots defend their country against the German Luftwaffe. To commemorate the assault’s 80th anniversary, Bremont has unveiled two limited-edition watches that honour the aircraft— hurricanes and spitfires— that flew in the campaign. Both tickers are powered by automatic chronometers, which ensure each watches’ accuracy.

From bottom: BOB Hurricane; BOB Spitfire, both by Bremont

Clockwise, from top: SantosDumont by Cartier; Big Pilot’s Big Date Spitfire Edition by IWC Schaffhausen; ALT1-P2 Jet Black Pilot’s Chronograph by Bremont; Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch by Omega

What’s special behind this year’s Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication?

This piece highlights JaegerLeCoultre’s savoir-faire and design creativity, from our watchmakers’ exceptionally complex movements to the refined finishes of the case and dial. It is a blend of many handcrafts that dress and decorate the movement and bring this piece to life.

Tell us about the movement. We constantly seek to further develop our calibres with our spirit of innovation. The Calibre 945 is one of our greatest chiming calibres with superior acoustic qualities. The sound of the minute repeater is elevated through the soldering of our patented ‘crystal gongs’ directly onto the sapphire crystal back. And the use of our trebuchet hammers results in a more amplified sound that is harmonious and clear.

Tell us about your first watch.

It was a gift from my uncle when I turned eight. It was a manual timepiece and had a red strap. I have clear memories of carefully winding the piece every night before bed.

Who have you been most pleased to see wearing a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch? Have you seen the movie

(2016)? Benedict Cumberbatch, who is a friend of the maison, wears a unique Master UT watch engraved with the message: “Time will tell you how much I love you. Christine.” Doctor Christine Palmer is the fictional love interest and colleague of

protagonist, Stephen Strange.