Making an ultra thin movement is much more difficult than you can think. There is a very tough compromise to find the perfect ratio between the thinness, and the reliability, the solidity of the parts composing the movement. LeCoultre, then Jaeger-Lecoult...
It'd be great to see how many of the JLC UT movements were supplied to PP, since PP didn't make a movement before 1933, and were still VERY reliant on JLC's expertise in this areas right through the late '80s. Thanks for the post. -Dean
for the Nautilus ( PP 28-255 ) when it debuted in 1970 for ten years before it was replaced by the PP 335 SC. AP bought the rights to the movement and is still used in the AP RO 15202 . Corrections welcomed as I am going by memory. Cheers,dreamer This mes...
I didn't forget a few others... Not evolutions, but different ones. As for the JLC UT movements housed in other brands watches... JLC is pretty discrete on that point. And we have to compare what the others offer to have an element of answer... Best, Nico...
I'm very interested in learning more about the calibers 803 and 920. As mentioned, they were assigned to other manufactures but your pictures show them decorated with JLC markings. Were they used by JLC? If yes, in what models? This message has been edite...
The 803 was funded by AP & VC and both brands debuted "The thinnest movement" in the year it was released (1953?). Both brands are using it today, although I believe AP owns the rights to it (part of the purchase agreement of Richemont buying AP's sha...
I'm still seeking an explanation for the two movement photos of the 803 and 920 marked as Jaeger-LeCoultre! Obviously they did not appear inside another manufacture's case, so the question remains if these movements were for display/promotion and are uniq...
Thanks so much for clearing up that question. The JLC promotional photos are great as a starting point for the story of these wonderful movements. Now, how about this beauty...1931 V&C ultrathin pocket watch with a movement thickness of only 0.90mm. Even ...
Rather then thinner over the years. I'm guessing some of that has to do with the demands of the wrist, since you can't have a 3mm watch, no reason to have a 1.3mm movement. And I might have to disagree about the 896, nearly 4mm does not qualify as ultra-t...
Be considered as a UT movement. Thin yes, Ultra Thin, certainly not. Ultra Thin movements are quite demanding to make, which may explain the easy way of thicker ones... Best, Nicolas
JLC excels at these ultra thin movements, no? Lovely to see them. Dean already mentioned it, but I am not sure I have ever seen the cal. 920 marked as a JLC movement. Very interesting. Is there more information on this? What is also amazing is not only th...
As for the 920, please look at my answer and at Watchme answer ( above ), all is here. As for the size, yes, I would like to see their diameter increase, but I wonder if would be compatible with a certain reliability. I always have a lack of confidence wi...
on my trip back from Paris in January a had the pleasure of visiting AP service centre in Singapore where Mr Michael Bellamy (GM) very kindly showed and explained to me, under microscope the cal.920 which is housed in the AP RO Jumbo, what a beautifully f...
Yes, Francois, you get it right, the 920 was housed in the RO jumbo Ref 5402 and the Nautilus Ref 3700.. As for the place of JLC among the best manufacutres, for me, it is one of the highest, horologically speaking. Best, my down under friend. Nicolas
that the caliber I was shown by Mr Michael Bellamy at Audemars Piguet in Singapore is the caliber AP2121 which is housed in the RO Jumbo, it does derive from the magnificent Cal.920 from JLC of course, the same Cal.920 revisited by Patek in the Nautilus 3...
...unless you want to include the mother of ultrathins, i.e. the calibre 145 (rumour has it that less than 400 were produced, and most of them are to be found under the Cartier and Vacheron&Constantin names) Thank you for the great pictures of these movem...
I think there were more Thin MR produced than plain utrathin 145.... When looking at the famous auction houses archives I can see there were many thin 18 SMV MRs or its derivatives sold (again think Cartier, Ekegren, and mostly Patek / Tiffany). ....not t...
And these ultra thins are great examples. Would live to see and hear the MR. Too bad the 803 did not end up in a JLC. Thanks Nico for this (and reminding me I still don't have a MUT!)
At least a pocket watch and a wristwatch housing an UT movement...That would be a great pair to own! The MR is outstanding to hear. The good thing is that the Manufacture repaired all the calibers you can see at the Heritage Gallery, or at least a majorit...
Thank you Nicolas for this special focus on a collection of movements that deserve to be highlighted. The Minute Repeater Ultrathin movement is fascinating and your photos are great ... as always. Best