Last week, Jaeger-LeCoultre unveiled a spectacular new watch,  the Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar.  The new Master Ultra Thin (“MUT”) Perpetual Calendar — offered in pink gold (Ref Q1302520), white gold (Ref Q1303520) and steel (Ref Q130842J) — is a watch that gives watch enthusiasts and collectors a lot of reasons to get excited.  In the new Master Ultra Thin Perpetual, we see a superb combination of the manufacture’s rich heritage of ultra-thin watchmaking and one of high watchmaking’s most quintessential complications, the perpetual calendar.  The result, as you see on my wrist above, is pure and classic beauty.  

And not only does it look good, but the price point on this new Perpetual Calendar (would you believe under $20,000 on the piece above?) will bring one of watchmaking’s most heralded complications into reach for a broader group of aspiring connoisseur’s of fine watches.

I was fortunate to join the wonderful team from Jaeger-LeCoultre at its boutique in the Wynn Las Vegas Resort last week for the official unveiling of these new references.  Which means that you are in luck today as I share lots of hands-on pics and a detailed run-down of the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar.
Click through for my hands-on with the new JLC Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar

SIHH 2013…

In 2011, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Reverso, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931.  Echoing the design codes of the successful ’1931′ model as well as the duoface concept first seen in 1944, Jaeger-LeCoultre this year introduces the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Duoface.  At 9.41mm thin this is a classy piece, offered in both stainless steel and pink gold.  A closer look, below.
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Listing of 2013 Jaeger-LeCoultre watches, crowned by the platinum Gyrotourbillon 3 Jubilee.  As well, the brand celebrates its 180th anniversary with  the Jubilee collection dedicated to its founder: “Tribute to Antoine LeCoultre”.  note: list excludes some line extensions and ladies models.

CLICK ANY WATCH FOR PERPETUELLE COMMENTARY, SPECS, AND HIGH-RES IMAGES!

SIHH 2013…

First created in 1994, the Duoface concept reinvents the reading of a second time-zone thanks to the magic of the reversible watch.  A single movement, the JLC Caliber 854/1, drives the two dials of the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Duoface watch.  In signifying the watch’s ties to the sport of polo, it is equipped with a strap created by Fagliano, the renowned Argentinian workshop which is particularly known for its hand-made polo boots.   This beautiful blue dialed edition will be offered exclusively through JLC boutiques.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 854/1

SIHH 2013…

Like the Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Chronograph Cermet, but with a vintage flair — trop dial / bezel.  Also a JLC boutique-only edition.  (left,  ref. 208A57J)

SIHH 2013…

Following last year’s Deep Sea Chronograph, this three-counter chronograph movement which takes its aesthetic inspiration from the 1959 Memovox Deep Sea model is introduced in a larger (44mm) case and new material — cermet.  The high-tech case cermet (not cement!) isa material consisting of aluminium reinforced with particles of ceramic and then covered with a protective coating of ceramic –  excellent properties of lightness, resistance and stability.  As well, cermet has a great look to it — very matte and stealthy, perfect for a watch like this.

As a reminder, the chronograph operating indicator (“red dot” shown above) is inspired by the Jaeger-LeCoultre 1930s “chronoflight” onboard instrument.  It enables a diver to be able to see at a glance whether the disc shows that the chronograph is ready for use (white), in operation (white/red) or stopped (red).

Price is 10,000 Euros (about $13k at current f/x).  A trop-dial ‘vintage’ version is also being offered.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 758

SIHH 2013…platinum jubilee…grand complication…flying spherical tourbillon…STUNNING…

The crowning achievement of Jaeger-LeCoultre in celebrating its 180th anniversary, this new Grand Complication watch with an aesthetic inspired by the pocket-watches of the 19th century is the third Jaeger-LeCoultre Grand Complication model to be equipped with a Gyrotourbillon, but the first to be equipped with a Flying Gyrotourbillon.  One very intriguing innovation in this piece is its spherical balance-spring — yes, it is spherical, and yes, it will impress you.  It is also equipped with a chronograph with an instantaneous digital display activated by a monopusher.

Limited to 75 pieces, this piece is available individually or as a set of 3 platinum timepieces in the Jubilee collection (together with Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Cylindrique Jubilee and the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Jubilee.  Purchasers of the 3-watch set will receive all three pieces with the same serial number.

All the looks you can handle, below.
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SIHH 2013…platinum jubilee…

This exceptional new model from Jaeger-LeCoultre was inspired by the pocket-watch launched by the manufacture in 1907.  A pocket watch which to this day remains the thinnest manually-wound mechanical pocket-watch in the world, but who’s counting.  The platinum case is a mere 4.05mm thick, making it the flattest manually-winding mechanical wristwatch in existence.   A delightful combination of simplicity and elegance.  More looks — including the 1.85mm thin JLC Calibre 849 — below.
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SIHH 2013…platinum jubilee…

Jubilee ref. 5046520

Jaeger-LeCoultre presents a very large number of new pieces this year, led by a Jubilee collection dedicated to its founder, the “Tribute to Antoine LeCoultre”, as as the Grande Maison celebrates its 180-year anniversary.  Starting with this Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Cylindrique, an exceptional timepiece reflecting a combination of the historic heritage of 19th-century watch models and cutting-edge technology.  Housed in a platinum new case… a closer look, below.
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SIHH 2013 Preview…

Perpetuelle readers here is a first look at the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Duomètre Unique Travel Time.  The piece you see here is a 100 piece limited edition in a 42mm white gold case available exclusively from November 2012 at the brand’s Paris boutique (price: 37,500 EUR)  — non-limited edition model(s) are expected at SIHH Geneva in January 2013.   Follow on below as I run through the high points — including an explanatory graphic which highlights the numerous operations of the watch as seen on the dial.
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