Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Master Ultra Thin collection, renowned for its graceful proportions and understated design, epitomizes the pinnacle of sophisticated dress watches. In 2023, the collection welcomes a splendid reinterpretation in the form of the Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon Enamel.
The fully polished pink gold case provides a striking contrast to the mesmerizing blue dial, serving as a captivating backdrop for the tourbillon and date display. The sunray pattern of the guillochage, achieved through intricate hand-guided operations on a rose engine lathe, adds a dynamic element, with reflected light dancing across its surface with every movement of the wrist. The meticulous guilloché work involves creating 180 ‘sun rays’ with six precise passes, resulting in 1,080 lines in total. The date sub-dial features circular hand-guilloché, known as azurage, adding a subtle texture that complements the sunray pattern.
The dial undergoes a meticulous process of applying Grand Feu enamel in multiple layers, each fired at 800ºC and carefully cooled to achieve the desired depth and intensity of the newly developed blue shade. The unpredictable nature of Grand Feu enamel necessitates extensive testing and iteration during the pigment mixing process.
The lower half of the dial showcases a laser-engraved seconds counter, anchoring the tourbillon aperture. A mirror-polished pink gold bridge secures the tourbillon cage, inviting a deeper exploration of the mechanism, enhanced by its transparency against the surrounding dial.
The strap, crafted from alligator leather in a specially created shade of blue matching the dial, is lined with small-scale alligator and adorned with a pink gold folding clasp, adding a touch of refinement.
Jaeger-LeCoultre’s pursuit of precision is evident in its tourbillon expertise. Since introducing its first tourbillon movement in 1946, the Manufacture has continually innovated in tourbillon configurations and hairspring shapes, thanks to its rare ability to craft hairsprings in-house. The Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon Enamel is powered by the latest generation Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 978, a movement that earned international chronometry recognition in 2009. With 77 components, including a titanium cage, it weighs less than half a gram and features a flat, two-level hairspring designed for optimal regularity of oscillations, ensuring high timekeeping accuracy.
With its captivating dial and advanced calibre, the Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon Enamel eloquently reflects Jaeger-LeCoultre’s philosophy of uniting technical virtuosity with enduring beauty and timeless aesthetics.
For more information, please visit Jaeger-LeCoultre.com.