Like a German limousine, the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon 39 (refs. Q1368520, Q1362520 (pictured,) and ref. Q1362501) is as conservative as it is contemporary. While the timekeeper doesn’t intend to stun you with high-tech materials that are usually employed by makers of Formula 1 sports cars and F-35 jet fighters, it still delivers a level of refinement that blows brands like Hublot out of the water leaving in them in the dust (figuratively speaking, of course.)
JLC belongs to the rare breed of watchmakers that turn everything they touch into… a beautiful timepiece. The new Master Ultra Thin Moon 39 collection is the latest example of JLC’s mastery.
Overall Impression
The device that was introduced at SIHH 2011 event features a nice combination of classic elements that somehow make the timepiece look stunningly modern. The case has the ideal proportions that allow the medium-sized accessory to feel even more comfortable even on a relatively narrow wrist. But that is somewhat predictable when a brand takes the industry’s gold standard of a dress watch.
The bezel is thin enough not to draw too much unnecessary attention to itself, yet is prominent enough to serve as a perfect frame for the simple, laconic dial.
Even the alligator leather strap is toned to better match the combination of rose gold case and off-white dial (by the way of speaking, making it a bit difficult to find a third-party replacement since you will always long for that beautifully well-matched color of the original strap.)
Case
As you may have already guessed, the new ultra-thin timepiece from one of the most revered Swiss watchmakers comes in a slim round case 39 millimeters in diameter that is available both in dressy rose gold and more reserved steel.
Although during recent years some brands have -at least partially- succumbed to the fad of “oversized” watches churning out hundreds of models that look almost as big as a hockey puck, it is pleasant to see that there are still models that are issued in a more classic size.
Dial
The rose gold alloy of the body is neatly supported by a beige-toned dial that is decorated with JLC’s signature triangular hour markers and features a moon-phase indicator.
Placed at 6 o’clock, the simple, yet picturesque complication is accompanied by a simple circular calendar indicator that shows the current date with a thin baton-shaped hand.
While Arabic numerals on the date display are a bit too small for my taste, I think that it won’t be a problem for long-term owners since, with time, you will be able to correctly register the current date even without looking at actual numerals.
Mechanism
Driven by the new JLC Caliber 925 automatic movement (as usual, crafted, assembled, and decorated by hand at Jaeger-LeCoultre’s production facility,) the Master Ultra Thin Moon 39 features a standard power reserve of 43 hours.
It also offers a high level of quality, too, since every movement, like a hand-built internal combustion engine of a supercar, is tested for as long as 42 days (1000 hours, to be more precise,) and then readjusted to offer the best possible performance.
According to Jaeger-LeCoultre, the collection will be presented in three cases: stainless steel (Ref. Q1368520,) rose gold (Ref. Q1362520,) and rose gold set with diamonds (Ref. Q1362501.)
No info on availability and price, but expect the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon 39 to be quite expensive.
See also: Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin in Rose Gold
Photos: Jaeger-LeCoultre
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon 39 (refs. Q1368520, Q1362520, & Q1362501) specification
Price: $19,000 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, JLC Caliber 925, 4.90 mm thick, 246 components, hand-built, in-house, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 30
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, moon phase
Power reserve: 43 hours
Case: Stainless steel or Rose gold
Shape: Round
Size: 39.00 mm
Case height: 9.90 mm
Dial: Beige
Hands: Rose gold
Water resistance: 50 meters
Strap: Black alligator leather
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Sapphire