Jaeger-LeCoultre are known for their stylish dress watches, and the latest offering from the Maison is just this. With a Pink gold case and deep blue hues on the dial and leather strap, the new Master Ultra Thin is a striking piece.
Dress watches are meant to be sleek, elegant, and subtle (to a point), but one thing that’s always been a bugbear of mine is the lack of character in many dress watches. Whilst I get they should fly under the radar so as not to detract from the attire being worn with it, it still doesn’t mean they need to be plain.
Thankfully, the latest offering from Jaeger-LeCoultre is not this. With a pink gold case, a beautiful gradient blue dial and a moonphase, the new Master Ultra Thin will blend in when needed, and stand out when not.
The 39 mm case is now classic dress-watch sizing, and being the Master Ultra Thin, comes in at just over 9 mm thick, perfect for sliding under the cuff. The Pink Gold case is warmer and a little less overt than yellow gold, and provides a nice alternative for those that want something with more character than stainless steel.
Jaeger-LeCoultre have done a nice job on pairing the pink gold with the darker midnight blue dial which has a sunray gradient that fades to black – emulating the night sky and contrasting well with the applied pink gold indices and classic Jaeger-LeCoultre dauphine-style hands.
Adding to this, a moonphase complication at 6 o’clock shows the wearer where the moon is in its current phase, and is housed inside a date ring, letting you know the date in a more elegant way compared to the standard date window. Whilst this isn’t as easy to read, it keeps with the aesthetics of the watch and gives more detail and character to the dial – meaning it’s got that attention-grabbing aspect and makes for a much more interesting wear.
At 39 mm in diameter, the case is well-balanced and well-proportioned; combining a mix of polished and brushed surfaces, it maintains a strong visual presence on the wrist even with its slim profile. Again, that nice balance between under the radar and something to talk about.
The blue alligator strap is colour-matched with the dial, which again, both contrasts and complements the pink gold case, along with the 18-carat pink gold pin buckle. And with Jaeger-LeCoultre’s quick-change system, it allows the wearer to easily change the strap over when it’s time for something new.
Inside the new Master Ultra Thin is the new-generation Calibre 925 – developed and produced entirely in-house by Jaeger-LeCoultre. The high-performing automatic movement provides an ample 70-hour power reserve, which is derived from the 18-carat pink gold oscillating weight. The rotor is skeletonised with the JL logo in the middle and finished with Côtes de Genève on top, matching the Geneva Striping on the main plate and balance bridge.
Final Thoughts
The latest offering from Jaeger-LeCoultre is one for anyone thinking about a new dress watch who wants to stray from the traditional steel or yellow gold, and is seeking something a little different. It’s subtle enough to not distract from the tuxedo you’re wearing to the black-tie dinner, but with enough presence that you’ll want to show it off in the office day-to-day.
With classic proportions and a slim profile, the Master Ultra Thin Moon Phase lives up to its name here, and won’t offend anyone’s wrist for size. The contrasting Pink Gold and gradient midnight blue dial and matching strap allow its character to show through and the added moon phase and date indicator helps to elevate the piece on the wrist. What’s not to like?
Reference: Q1362580
Specification:
- Case: 39 mm diameter, 9.3 mm thick
- Case: 19 carat pink gold
- Dial: Midnight blue in a gradient sunray finish
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal
- Water resistance: 50 m / 5 bar
- Movement: Jaeger-LeCoultre Automatic Calibre 925. Vibrating at 4 Hz / 28,800 VpH, pivoting on 30 jewels
- Power reserve: 70 hours
- Strap: Midnight blue alligator leather strap with 18-carat pink gold pin buckle.