Jaeger-LeCoultre

In 2004, Jaeger Lecoultre issued a skeleton version, in white gold, of their famous Master Ultra Thin 34 mm.

 

It was a limited edition of 75 pièces.

Skeletonizing such an thin movement ( let's keep in mind that the Cal 849 is only 1, 85mm high ) was quite challenging. Indeed, if you dig to deeply into the parts of the movement, you risk to go through them, and to break them.

In 2012, we had the Grande Reverso Skeleton enamel:

 

And in 2014, the Master 8 Days Skeleton Enamel, with its non ultra Thin Cal 876 SQ:

This year, Jaeger Lecoultre unveils not one, but four Master Ultra Thin Skeleton, in a limited edition of 100 pièces each:

2 cases in white gold, 2 cases in rose gold, 2 enamel and 2 mother of pearl dials.Since we had several Master Ultra Thin watches in different sizes, it is useful to precise that this series is 38 mm big and 4, 73 mm high, for the mother of pearl versions, and 3, 6 mm high for the enamel, which is quite remarkable and truly an ultra thin watch..

Let's not forget that the Master Ultra Thin 39 Jubilé was 4, 05 mm high!

As for the diameter of the case, in my opinion, this is the good size. Bigger, it wouldn't have this appeal, smaller, it would be a bit too feminine. 

Let's start by the 2 more feminine versions, with the mother of pearl dial, which are the only ones to have a jewelled bezel.

White Gold:

 

Rose Gold:

 

The case back is worth a look, too:

The view of this non jewelled case back makes me think that they would look even nicer without diamonds on the bezel. What do you think?

As you can see on the pictures, the mother of pearl is engraved.

Now let's have a look on the two enamel pièces, and start with the rose gold version, with its frosted chestnut Brown dial:

 

 

And let's end with... My favourite, the blue enamel. This combo is really eye catching, in my opinion:

 

 

 

This collection gathers a certain number of skills. Enamel, engraved mother of pearl, skeleton, and one last: The skill to encase such a small movement in a bigger case. Let's have in mind that the Cal 849 is only 21, 10 mm big!

It could seem to be lost, sunk in such a space, no, at the contrary, the solution of the mother of pearl or enamel surrounding the movement makes the whole Watch look harmonious.

Pretty smart. And the Ultra Thin case is just superb.

Now, you have to like skeleton watches... And quite classic skeletons. Which is not everybody's taste.

Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts,

Best,

Nicolas

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