While every watchmaker is respected for their expertise or unique styles, one horological expert, Jaeger-LeCoultre, a famed Swiss watchmaker is treasured around the globe for making timepieces with design excellence and slim styles. Luxury at its best, these designs are timeless and one of the main reasons this brand has continued to excel. The latest releases for this brand are similar to one of the earlier designs, the New Master Ultra-Thin Collection is Purists' idea of classic elegance.
The sleek small case is featured at a diameter of 38.5mm and a thickness of only 7.58mm. Of course besides the amazing and pleasing aesthetics of the timepiece, it is powered by the brands proprietary automatic Calibre 896, which boasts a balance rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour. Clearly one of the most important timepiece manufacturers, the brand has revolutionized the watch making industry with manufacturing enhancements and scientific breakthroughs.
The most recent designs are featured in gold and steel versions, displaying the brand signature on the dial at 12 o'clock and topped with the JLC emblem, and the tiny seconds that appear in the sub-dial at 6 o'clock. The steel version is detailed with a sunburst silver-toned dial that is adorned with polished rhodium hour markers. The gold version on the other hand is designed with a warm eggshell white that is just beautiful with the pink gold case. The refinement of the brand is displayed clearly in these releases, and Jaeger-LeCoultre continues to deliver a combination of reliability, quality and precision.
Even before the brand launched their successful company bearing their name, they were responsible for an array of horological wins. The team invented the millionometer, the very first measuring instrument capable of a resolution of 1/1000th of a millimeter, as well as the key less winding system, in addition to the world's thinnest pocket watch movement. The highly skilled team showcases their talent for miniaturization and are responsible for numerous other calibres. Creating several of the sleek and slim calibres used by many respected watch makers, Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piquet, and Patek Philippe to name a few.
With such exceptional skill showcased in these designs, one might expect a price tag to match, but lucky for the world that is not the case. The modest pricing is really astounding and yet another reason that Jaeger-LeCoultre has earned so much respect. These recent designs capture the efforts of the brand in every way, including the gentle curves of the slightly domed sapphire crystal, slender and dressy, simplistic and clean, a design that works for any lifestyle.
The timepieces are water resistant to 5 atmospheres, comparable to only 3 by many others at this level. Certainly the high level of water resistance is attributed to the masterful construction of the case and inner workings. An amazing modern timepiece that reflects old-world craft and remarkable design as well as moderate pricing and high quality reliability. Collectors and new buyers learn to appreciate the time the brand puts into each design, while listening to what people want in a luxury watch.