Jaeger-LeCoultre Shows its Design Prowess with Two New Master Ultra Thin Timepieces

Characterised by thin cases and minimalistic overall appearances, slim watches are generally favoured for their elegance, lightweight feel, and versatility. These watches can be suitable for both formal and casual occasions, as their unobtrusive design complements a variety of outfits. Jaeger-LeCoultre is one of the Swiss luxury watchmakers known for its elegant and sophisticated timepieces. Its Master Ultra Thin collection emphasises slimness and simplicity. The ace luxury watchmaker has now released two new novelties for the collection, namely Master Ultra Thin Power Reserve (Ref. Q137258J) and Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon Enamel (Ref. Q13224E1). These timepieces are part of the permanent collection. Both the Power Reserve model and the Tourbillon variant can be described as balanced and classy watches for those seeking discretion and panache.

The Master Ultra Thin collection is often subjected to rigorous testing procedures to ensure its reliability and accuracy. Not too long ago, the brand introduced the "Master Control" concept, which involves subjecting watches to a series of tests that go beyond the standard requirements of the watchmaking industry. These include a 1,000-hour testing protocol, wherein each watch undergoes various assessments to ensure its durability and performance. The watches are also made to withstand different conditions, such as those for testing water resistance, magnetic resistance, and accuracy in various positions and temperatures. This comprehensive testing is designed to simulate real-life conditions and ensure that the watches meet the high standards set by Jaeger-LeCoultre.

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Latest Additions to the Master Ultra Thin Collection

Master Ultra Thin Power Reserve

The power reserve in a mechanical watch refers to the amount of time a watch can function for without being wound or worn. Mechanical watches, as opposed to quartz watches, rely on mainsprings as their energy source. A mainspring is wound either manually (hand-wound) or automatically (through the motion of the wearer's wrist) to store energy. The power reserve duration can vary widely, depending on the design and complexity of each movement. Basic mechanical watches may have a power reserve of around 36-48 hours, while high-end or complicated watches can have power reserves extending to several days.

The new Master Ultra Thin Power Reserve timepiece comes with a 39 mm pink gold case, lugs, a minimal bezel, and a crown at 3 o’clock. The gradient blue sunray dial gets darker on the outer periphery. This watch gets a small seconds counter at 6 o’clock, a power reserve indicator at 10:30, and a date counter at 2:30. There are elongated hour markers and a dotted minute track. The dauphine hour and minute hands are polished and satin-finished.

Powering the watch is an in-house, self-winding Calibre 938 with a power reserve of 70 hours. This significant gain in power reserve has been achieved without adding to the size of the calibre, which remains 4.9 mm thick. The mainspring barrel has been redesigned and some key components are now made of silicon, which makes energy transmission smoother by reducing friction for the moving parts. Turning the watch over showcases the sapphire crystal caseback with a pink gold oscillating weight. Finishing the watch is a blue alligator strap.

Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon Enamel

Grand Feu enamelling is a traditional and highly regarded technique used in watchmaking to create exquisite dials for high-end timepieces. The term, "Grand Feu", means "Great Fire" in French, which is indicative of the intense heat required for the enamelling process. This method involves fusing enamel powder onto a metal surface through multiple layering at extremely high temperatures, typically above 800 degrees Celsius. Fine enamel powder is applied to the prepared metal surface.

The watch comes with a 40 mm pink gold case, lugs, and a crown at 3 o'clock. The sunray guilloché with blue Grand Feu enamel dial gets 180 “sun rays”, each attained with the passage of the hand-operated rose engine lathe, making 1,080 lines altogether. This is a newly developed shade of blue, created by mixing pigments in various proportions. The date subdial at 12 o’clock gets a hand-guilloché in a circular pattern. At 6 o’clock, there is a laser-engraved seconds counter that provides a visual anchor for the tourbillon aperture with a mirror-polished pink gold bridge to secure the tourbillon with a titanium cage.

The timepiece gets the Jaeger-LeCoultre logo at 3 o’clock, dauphine hour and minute hands, elongated hour markers, and a dotted minute track. The movement powering the Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon Enamel watch belongs to the latest generation of Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 978, offering a 45-hour power reserve. Finishing the watch is a blue alligator strap with a pink gold folding clasp.