Jaeger-LeCoultre

Here is another Ultra Thin Watch, from the 2014 collection, the Master Ultra Thin Date.

The recipe is smart and elegant.

Smart, because there are people who absolutely want a date, and who want to taste the pleasures of the ultra thin case.

That offer missed in the collection.

As always with the Ultra Thin, the case is superb. Please not that the MUT Date will be available in rose gold only ( no stainless steel case, this year ).

Its diameter is 40 mm, and its height is 7, 45 mm, which gives some nice volumes to this Watch.

The silver eggshell dial goes well with the rose gold case.

It houses the famous Cal 899, who beats at 28800 alternances per hour, and offers an autonomy of 43 hours.

It is rather thin for an automatic movement, with a height of 3, 30 mm.

A few live photos:





Now the question- or the risk- is that we may be lost with the Ultra Thin family.

The 38 mm case disappeared at the benefit of the 39 mm " couteau " shaped case, and we now we have the 38, 5 mm and 40 mm case, without forgetting the 41 mm.

And I don't even mention the MUT Perpetual Calendar, the MUT Moon, the MUT and the summit, the MUT Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon " Hybris Mechanica 11 ".

Maybe is it time to rationalize the Ultra Thin Family a bit?

Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts,

Best,

Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-02-01 00:15:45 This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-02-03 08:09:41

This model is what I describe as pure, no flaws. I always felt so overwhelmed when I see this model of JLC. Thank you very much for sharing Nicolas.

WTA

Find the one made for you.

Best,

Nicolas

.. it seems to me a bit ,a sort of well- thought "compromise" between
the puristic plus elegant appeal and the answer to a functional "necessity", ie
the inclusion of the Date functionality,
- On a personal perspective , I still would prefer no Date.. The case is truly noble and low- key, but with
the hidden message of eclectic elegance..

2/ as per your remark about the many diameter measures,
I fully concur: a bit of systematic condensation might help
vs this conundrum of choices..
- I guess, we shall soon see..
3/ and lastly I could envision an Edition of
WG for the future (?)

But alltogether for me a sort of " logical" elegant edition
rounding the portfolio; but for me no "must"..
Still a very beautiful watch without hybris,
being a valid choice for many looking for a " gentlemen
dress watch"..

Just my little o,02 cents
Thank you for the review and share,

Best, hs

As for a WG MUT, wait a bit... I will come back with something which may please you...

Best,

Nicolas.

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And the date at 6 o'clock gives the dial a better balance and symmetry when compared to the traditional 3 o'clock position.

That is, certainly, a clever offer from JLC. Some swear by the date and an automatic movement, here is theirs!

Best,

Nicolas.

... in my opinion the philosophy behind a ultra thin watch is all about the "less is more" aproach to design!

But as said, there are quite a lot of people who ABSOLUTELY want a date and an automatic movement... Why not knowing the pleasures of a MUT case with these features?

Is that for you, me and some others? No.

But the pleasure is in the diversity.

Best,

Nicolas.

This piece and the Richemont cousin from Vacheron, the Patrimony Contemporaine

13 200 if I remember well....

Best,

Nicolas.

If you have seen the jlc vs Vc would you say the finish is that significantly better?

As for the movement, the " big " Patrimony has an auto movement? I didn't have that souvenir....

Best,

Nicolas

...an in-house movement from VC, and quite a beautiful one. 

Side-by-side photos may not do the comparison of the JLC and VC watches justice, but side-by-side in-the-hand will reveal some differences.  Whether the differences justify the price differential is probably a matter of personal taste and what one values most in a watch.  I do find the two specific watches from the two Richemont brands to be a bit too similar looking.  It does invite comparison.

For me, I am not as moved by this JLC "ultra-thin" as I am by the JLC Master Control Date (either the older version or the more recent refreshed version) or the lovely "old" 34mm Master Ultra-Thin.  Those to me are so much more JLC and bring so much more value to the collector than this Master Ultra Thin Date. 

Just my two cents.

Best,

respo

as the date function.  To me the center seconds hand opens the face in a way that the small seconds on the MUT 38.5 or MUT Grande does not.

Since there is a 38mm small seconds, I doubt JLC will ever release a 40 mm center seconds without date....

But who knows?

Best, and welcome here, by the way.

Nicolas

thanks to the knowledge, observations and passion if the people piston here.

as often in JLC the line is becoming a bit confusing…..now that is JLC dna too….

The new JLC CEO...

The willing is to reduce the collection. To focus on the product.

Good news, isn't that?

Best,

Nicolas

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Dear Nicolas, 

For a first contact, I had to discover The Man, who is totally different from Jérôme Lambert.

There are of course things I cannot share, but there are two directions Mr Riedo wants to take:

1/ To reduce the collection, for a better legibility.

2/ To favour automatic movements.

Mr Riedo is a Man of Product, this is his Culture.

He has the clear willing to focus on Quality.

Control Quality, and after sale service.

We agreed to spend more time when I come back to the Manufacture, which will be quite soon.

As for the Utlra Thin cases, I agree with you. Too big is not good. Over 40 mm gives a flat feeling which doesn't please me, but that is just my taste. ( Same for Vacheron flat watches, by the way. )

Grained dial? I share the same feeling and love for that kind of finish!

Best, Andreas.

Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-02-02 23:46:25

Dear Nicolas, thank you for the answer.

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Will the central second hand of the actual production watch be fashioned in blue or gold? Thank you for any info you can share. I am not in the market for this watch but two friends are interested.

Ruckdee

This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-02-01 07:15:53

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