Amanico provides a comprehensive overview of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Ultra Thin 41mm, a significant addition to the brand's celebrated Ultra Thin family. This post meticulously details the evolution of JLC's thin watches, comparing the new 41mm model with its 38mm and 40mm predecessors. It offers valuable insights into the design changes, movement updates, and the broader context of JLC's strategy in the ultra-thin market.
2008 saw the new Master Ultra Thin " landing " on our wrists. 38 mm, so 4 mm than our beloved MUT, but a superb new case.
Here, the MUT 38 mm " 1833 ":
In 2009, came the Grande MUT, which I wouldn't call Ultra Thin, by the way. It received a new 40 mm thin and very elegant case, but not in the standards of the ultra thin champions, with a height of 8, 62 mm.
Let me introduce you one of the three members of the " Ultra Thin family ", the Master Grande Ultra Thin 41 mm.
The four major changes, compared to the Grande MUT 40 mm are:
- A case which is one millimeter bigger ( 41 mm ) and much thinner, as the height is only... 7, 4 mm.
- The absence of a small second subdial.
- A new movement, the Cal 898C, which is identical to the Cal 896 of the " 40 mm ", but without small seconds, so it is a bit thinner.
- A solid case back, which is, in my opinion, a good thing, as there is not much to see, with the Cal 898C.
So, to better understand the MUT family, let's say that over 39 mm, they house an automatic movement... Which can be an important criteria for the MUT lovers.
The dial you'll see on the pictures below is a prototype, and normally, it will bear the mention " Automatic " above the 6 o' clock index.
JLC, through the years, " waved " a bit with the location of the word " Automatic ", if you remember the Master Control.
Sometimes, it was located just behind the Jaeger-Lecoultre signature below the 12 o' clock index, sometimes above the 6 o' clock index.
JLC may also consider putting it under their signature, which would be better, according to my taste.
What do you think?
Here are the pictures of the new Grande MUT 41 mm:
These pictures were taken at the Manufacture, in December 2012, and the SIHH provided the answer to the question about the location of the word ' Automatic ":
It may not be definitive, though, as the MGUT 41 mm above is a prototype, still.
Like for the 40 mm MUT, the new one is available in stainless steel or in rose gold.
Here, in rose gold:
Don't we have too many Ultra Thin watches, would you wonder?
Indeed, the family of Ultra Thin round watches is quite huge, now, with no less than... 4 different sizes ( 38, 39, 40 and 41 mm ), but that is the difference between the Grande Maison and an ordinary Maison.
I will share my own opinion on this topic:
I am not found of big ultra thin watches. I have the same problem with the Vacheron Patrimony which is way too big for me when it comes to more than 40 mm.
I find it too flat, disturbing, but as said, this is just my opinion.
On another side, I am very happy to see JLC re thinking the case of their watches. And I have to say that the Ultra Thin family, even when it cannot always be called Ultra Thin, has some stunning cases, shaped with a lot of elegance.
Looking forward to read your opinions, comments and thoughts,
Best.
Nicolas.
This message has been edited by amanico on 2013-02-21 00:15:20 This message has been edited by amanico on 2013-02-21 00:18:29 This message has been edited by amanico on 2013-02-25 03:10:51 
