Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Skeleton 38mm

amanico · 2015-07-20T00:00:31Z

Explore the 2015 Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Skeleton 38mm with enamel and MOP. Discover collector opinions on its design, movement, and ultra-thin record.

amanico

WPS member · Jaeger-LeCoultre forum

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Amanico introduces Jaeger-LeCoultre's 2015 Master Ultra Thin Skeleton 38mm, highlighting its intricate enamel and mother-of-pearl details. This release marks a significant technical and aesthetic achievement, building on JLC's history of ultra-thin skeletonized movements and expanding their artistic metiers d'art offerings.

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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

This message has been edited by amanico on 2015-07-20 00:02:04 This message has been edited by amanico on 2015-07-23 23:10:18

Key Points from the Discussion

The aesthetic proportion of the smaller movement within the larger decorative surround is a key point of discussion, with some finding it unbalanced while others appreciate the larger canvas for metier d'art.
The new 38mm size for a skeleton watch with a small movement leads to a wide 'outer ring' on the dial, which some contributors feel would be better proportioned in a smaller case size, perhaps 34mm or 36mm.
The watch's design, particularly the small movement in a larger case, evokes comparisons to the Royal Oak 40 years, with some feeling the movement appears 'restricted' rather than 'breathing' as a skeleton should.
The integration of a small caliber into a larger case, allowing for extensive decorative work like enamel and mother-of-pearl, is seen as a clever design solution, especially for the blue and brown enamel versions.
The JLC Master Ultra Thin Squelette's 3.60mm case thickness surpasses Piaget's previous world record of 3.65mm for the thinnest mechanical watch, indicating a competitive move within the ultra-thin segment.
The new JLC collection, with its emphasis on decorative dials and ultra-thin profiles, is noted for having a 'Piaget vibe,' suggesting JLC is venturing into aesthetic territory traditionally associated with Piaget.

The Discussion

Speedie74 aka Mr. Torquise

Jul 20, 2015

I am not a great fan of skeleton watches. And I am not sure about it, that the size of the new collection is appropriate: I think the dial is not enough well proportioned ( except perhaps the blue enamel version ) : the non-skeleton part of the dial ( let's say the "outer ring" ) is too wide, it wouldn't be so, if Jaeger had chosen a smaller size for the case: at least 34, maybe 36mm. And yes, maybe it would be feminime, bur the mother-of-pearl version is enough feminime with the 38mm diameter a

blomman Mr Blue

Jul 20, 2015

But these are beautiful! :) Not what we are used to see from JLC, I get a certain "Piaget" wibe from these.... Looking forward to see these in the metal! Best Blomman

JeSuisJLC

Jul 20, 2015

This new Master Ultra Thin just took the "Thinnest Mechanical" title from the House of Piaget...Sibling rivalry amongst the Richemont boys? Love it! Let's face it. The BEST thing to happen to the industry in years was when SWATCH group decided to limit the sales of ETA movements..Given the slowdown in the Asian market, the most innovative brands will successfully weather the storm. Let the purse makers stick to purses... Michael S

JeSuisJLC

Jul 20, 2015

The JLC Master Ultra Thin Squelette has a case 3.60 mm thick. The world-record Piaget was 3.65 mm..You can't be too beautiful or thin it seems. Impress me, JLC, and make this water-resistant to 300 M.. Michael S

Mark in Paris

Jul 20, 2015

This is a clever way to integrate a small caliber in a case. It looks great that way. I think this is the kind of watch we really should see in the metal to judge correctly but the blue or brown enameled are my favorite (even if I like the 2004 version too). For the other versions, I'm not a MoP or diamonds guy so I won't judge. It is a nice limited edition and with such a thinness, 38 or 39 is the limit so it is a good choice to me. Thanks for the pictures and presentation Nicolas. Cheers, Mark

MichaelC

Jul 20, 2015

I do like skeletal watches, and this one is interesting with the strong blue frame around the movement.

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Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Skeleton 38mm

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