amanico
[JLC Moderator]
401115
The Genealogical tree of the Ulra Thin movements.
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-Lecoultre developped a true speciality and mastery in ultra thin movements, since 1907, which were manual but also automatic.
Here, you will find a list of these movements, which are true piece of art, and, sometimes, offered more than simply the Hour and the Minutes, but some prestigious complications, like a Minute Repeater.
I/ Manual movements:
Cal 145 from 1907.... 1, 38 mm high!
Cal 18 SMV, circa 1920, Minute Repeater, AND Ultra Thin. Even if I don't have the height of this movement, I have seen in the real life, and I can vouch for its thinness:
Cal 803, 1953.... 1, 64 mm high.
Cal 818, 1959: 2, 94 mm high.
Cal 849, 1994: 1, 85 mm high.
II/ Automatic movements:
Cal 920, from 1967: 2, 45 mm high, made by Jaeger-Lecoultre, used by Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin, for example.
Cal 896, from 2008: 3, 98 mm high, but does it have still to be considered as Ultra Thin?
Who else is able to offer such a diversity?
Best,
Nicolas
New Release
Discover the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Jubilé at SIHH 2013, celebrating JLC's ultra-thin heritage with a new platinum case.
50 replies21052 views
Vintage
Explore Marc Obermann's Boucheron La Carrée Ultra Plate, its unique 2.2mm thinness, patented lug system, and custom Molequin Saffiano straps. A deep dive into vintage Boucheron.
10 replies1429 views
The Genealogical tree of the Ulra Thin movements.
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...
Great beginning....
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
The JLC developed 920 was used by PP
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...
W!hat I wondered, while preparing this post, is to know that
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...
Thanks Nicolas, and a question...
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...
Hi, Tick-Talk...
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...
No they weren't used by JLC for their watches.
They were delivered to AP and VC in parts, ready to be assembled. Best, Nicolas
Still seeking answers...
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...
No way. They were not used in JLC watches.
The JLC signature on these movements is only for promotional purposes. I had this point officially confirmed by JLC. Best, Nicolas
How about a 0.90mm ultrathin
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 ...
Astounding.
How these movements can be made so thin is really incredible. Great post Nicolas.
Impressive, too.
These UT movements are a real challenge, and, in my opinion, to be considered in any nice collection. Best, my friend. Nicolas
Interesting how the movements have gotten thicker
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...
To be clear, what I meant is that I highly doubted that the 895 could
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
I love this topic, 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...
Well, I tried to demonstrate that UT movements are a Tradition, at JLC.
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...
To answer to your question...
maybe Piaget? Thanks a lot for the wrap-up, glad to see a pic of the 920 and of the MR. Fx
Beautiful pics of wonderful movements ...
Nicolas Thanks for the post. You goto make a friend of mine a happy person (I forwarded the link to him). He loves ultra thin watches. Cheers Nilo
There is some serious reasons behind this love, IMO.
In terms of conception and finish... Best, my friend. Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-04-24 10:28:51
Thank you Nicolas...
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...
LeCoultre, and Jaeger-LeCoultre was considered as THE watchmaker's watchmakers.
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
Correction, I should have written...
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...
Thank you for a great post, Nicolas!
A very interesting topic! A theme I hope to start to explore one day... Best, my friend Blomman
For sure Blomman, this is a very tempting thema.
And not too difficult to achieve! Best, Nicolas
not too difficult to achieve....
...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...
Maybe nicer but not tougher
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...
Less is more
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!)
Tempting thema, indeed.
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...
Great post
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
I realized I didn't write too much on the UT movements.
And when I saw them at the Heritage Gallery, I couldn't resist. Best, my friend, and thanks for your kind words! Nicolas....
love these sexy ultra thin ladies...
... especially i fall in love with cal. 18 SMV at first sight.... do you have the dial pic, Nico? stefan
You want more?
Ok, I thought dial side, while you wanted a picture of the dial... So, here you are again:...
