Master Grand Ultra Thin

Material

Pink gold

Bracelet strap

Leather

Buckle

Pin buckle

Water resistance

50 m

Size

ø 40 mm

Movement

Manual-winding mechanical

Functions

Power reserve indicator

Reference

Q 1352520

Launch date

2008

Collection

Master Control

Price excl. VAT

12’200 CHF

Description

Master Ultra Thinthe grandest form of horological minimalismUltra-thin watches are not only one of the most longstanding historical specialities of theManufacture, but indeed gave rise to the joining of the two names Jaeger and LeCoultre. Itwas in 1903 that Jacques-David LeCoultre rose to the challenge set to Swiss watchmanufacturers by Edmond Jaeger: that of creating the “world's thinnest movements”. Theirencounter gave rise in 1907 to LeCoultre Calibre 145 – a Lépine 17-ligne pocket-watch –the thinnest in the world at just 1.38 mm thick and still the record-holder in its category. Italso inspired the creation of one of the most prodigious collections of ultra-thin calibresever. Today, Jaeger-LeCoultre is perpetuating this tradition with two watches extolling thevirtues of absolute finesse. With its ultra-thin 1.85 mm calibre and its 38 mm case featuringpure, sleek lines, the Master Ultra Thin 38 is the epitome of elegant understatement.Meanwhile, in its 40 mm case, the Master Grande Ultra Thin embodies horologicalrefinement – from the subtle design of its lugs to the clarity of its dial featuring a smallseconds subdial.Manually-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 849 and automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 896One of Edmond Jaeger's demands was to create movements that were ultra-thin whiledetracting nothing from their quality and reliability. The movements driving the new MasterUltra Thin models are entirely in harmony with this tradition.At the heart of the Master Ultra Thin 38 beats manually-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 849, amovement that has already achieved legendary status among devotees of fine watchmaking dueto the exceptional qualities it has consistently displayed since 1994: peerless accuracy andreliability, 123 parts and a cadence of 21,600 vibrations per hour, all housed within a mere 1.85mm. It is indeed one of the thinnest movements on the market today. Embodying a majorhorological accomplishment, its slender structure calls for exceptional machining precision. Inorder to limit the overall thickness, it is equipped with a bridge-free barrel and an extremelysmall escapement. Its fine adjustment and assembly therefore represent particularly delicatetasks that are entrusted to the Watchmaking Specialities workshops within the Manufacture.For the Master Grande Ultra Thin, 40 mm model, the new Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 896 withsmall seconds belongs to the 899 generation of new movements. Made up of 242 parts, itmeasures no more than 3.98 mm thick. It comprises the signature features of the brand's newautomatic calibres: the variable-inertia balance ensuring the constancy of the rate and enhancedsturdiness; ceramic ball-bearing mechanisms requiring no lubrication or maintenance; and a highfrequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour.The embodiment of finesseFrom an aesthetic standpoint, the Master Ultra Thin models enshrine absolute purity, from theultra-classical dial to the case finely sculpted in steel or pink gold.The silver-coloured dials feature a refined sunburst motif perfectly suited to their slightlycambered shape. Dauphine-style hands glide gracefully over the applied gold dagger-shapednumerals and hour-markers. The minute circle is powdered, silver-coloured or gilded, while theJaeger-LeCoultre signature is topped by the gilded or rhodium-plated JL anchor symbol. On theautomatic model, the small seconds occupies a prominent position at 6 o'clock.The cases exalt this aura of refinement: the flowing, streamlined profile of the lugs and theslender bezel create a magnificent setting for the movement that may be admired through thesapphire crystal case-back. The Master Ultra Thin watches are indeed worthy heirs to thehistorical ultra-thin masterpieces of the Manufacture.And since this incarnation of essential watchmaking must meet the high standards of qualityupheld by the Manufacture on all levels, all models are water-resistant to 50 metres and havesuccessfully met the implacable demands of the 1000 Hours test procedure. Available in steelor in pink gold, the manually-wound or automatic Master Ultra Thin watches are fitted with analligator leather strap, complete with a steel or 18-carat pink gold folding clasp. The steel modelmay also be teamed with a metal bracelet.The grand tradition of Jaeger-LeCoultre ultra-thin watchesUltra-thin watches are not only one of the most longstanding historical specialities of theManufacture, but indeed gave rise to the joining of the two names Jaeger and LeCoultre.In 1903, French watchmaker Edmond Jaeger (1858-1922) was established in Paris. Since the1890s, he had been making chronometers intended for the French Navy. With this market inthe throes of a major crisis, Jaeger decided to apply his inventive mind to the field of ultra-thinwatches. Given that his small workshop did not enable him to make the full range of watchcomponents required, he challenged the Swiss manufacturers to produce the calibres he hadinvented. Jacques-David LeCoultre (1875-1948) took up the gauntlet, and the two men met in1903 and signed a first agreement. Their cooperation was to give rise to one of the world'smost prodigious collections of ultra-thin movements, including LeCoultre Calibre 145 in 1907.At just 1.38 mm thick, the latter, is still the thinnest in the world in its category. It was producedfor more than a century by the Grande Maison in the Vallée de Joux. Jaeger and LeCoultreequipped it with some of their extremely thin complication movements. Created in 1910, theLeCoultre Calibre 17/18RMCCVEP was in particular endowed with chronograph and minuterepeater functions, while measuring a mere 3.55 mm thick!This tradition was pursued throughout the 20th century. In 1953, the 1.64 mm thick Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 803 inaugurated the line of ultra-thin wristwatch movements. It was followedten years later by Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 838, equipped with a shock-absorbing system(hence its slightly greater thickness of 1.85 mm), of which a direct descendant equips thecurrent Master Ultra Thin. In parallel, Jaeger-LeCoultre distinguished itself in the domain of highfrequencyultra-thin automatic movements. Created in 1976 in the midst of the quartz crisis,Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 900 measures 3.25 mm thick, beats to the cadence of 28,800vibrations per hour and drives a date display. It heralded the line of ultra-thin automaticmovements such as the current Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 896 powering the Master Ultra Thinautomatic model, perpetuating the tradition while providing new technical performances.