On the canvas of human emotion, there is perhaps no stroke broader, bolder than the fire of one’s passion. As one of the world’s rare watchmakers, Jaeger-LeCoultre has continuously balanced artistry with sophistication and esthetic beauty, making the precision of a Jaeger-LeCoultre timepiece an art form in its own right. The rich legacy of LeCoultre, artisanship—from the Reverso, Master, and Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris, to the Rendez-Vous and Atmos— has and continues to be at the forefront of fine watchmaking.
So it’s no wonder why Jaeger introduces the new Master Ultra-Thin Moon Enamel (Ref. Q13635E1); limited to just 100 pieces, the Ultra-Thin Moon Enamel masterfully balances Jaeger-LeCoultre’s famous super slim case, with its remarkably hand-wrought dial; and while the craft of enameling and engraving takes an incredible amount of skill, the journey begins with decorating the dial with a hand-operated rose engine, followed by a painted layer of liquid enamel. The surface is then subjected to excruciatingly high temperatures. More layers of enamel are painted on and fired up and once the right shade is attained, the dial is polished to perfection.
The Master Ultra-Thin case is housed in 18k white gold, measures at 10.04 mm thick and 39 mm in diameter, and is complete with a mirror-polished moon. The relief-engraved date-display ring has raised numerals with a frosted finish and nicely complements the re-designed applied white gold stick hour markers.
According to the brand, ‘’the hour markers are elongated out separated in two at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. The moon phase has also been completely redesigned with a perfectly round and polished white disk that comes into view in its entirety during the full moon. The annular aperture that circles the moon-phase opening is filled with an engraved date ring to showcase each date in relief.’’
Jaeger’s in-house manufacture specializes in (“Métiers Rares®”) or Rare Handicrafts, preserving long-held artisanal techniques and methods such as gem-setting, engraving, guilloché, and enameling (which the Master Ultra-Thin Moon Enamel shows off wonderfully) with a hand-guilloché midnight blue enamel dial. A matching blue alligator strap brings the timepiece full circle.
And in case you missed it, Hollywood’s best and brightest were not the only thing on display at this year’s 91st Academy Awards.
Spike Lee, Oscar Winner for ‘Best Adapted Screenplay’ for his “BlacKkKlansman”, sported Jaeger’s Reverso Classic Medium Duoface Small Seconds timepiece; Richard E. Grant, nominated for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ in the movie “Can You Ever Forgive Me”, the Master Ultra-Thin Date; and film director, producer, and screenwriter Barry Jenkins, nominated for his film “If Beale Street Could Talk”, donned the Master Ultra-Thin Small Second timepiece from Jaeger.
And yet, in all of this, one thing is clear: the rich and storied legacy of the Grande Maison has, over centuries, not only mastered the art of the dress watch but remains a continual source of inspiration for future fine watchmaking brands to push the limits of what unprecedented timepieces are and can become.
