For more than a century watchmakers have competed to showcase their top-tier watchmaking skill by crafting movements of shocking thinness. Most often they focused on handwound movements to avoid the challenges of fitting an automatic winding system into a small space.
But as time progressed gentleman wanted thin dress watches without sacrificing the convenience of automatic winding. Only a relatively few fine Swiss watchmakers have taken on the immense challenge of making an ultra thin automatic movement, because of the complexity and inherent reliability problems their mechanism would have to overcome.
To become of a part of Jaeger-LeCoultre's coveted Master Control series, watches are tested for 1000 hours in extreme conditions including categories of temperatures, shocks and vibrations, and must pass through magnetic fields of 5000 amperes per meter before being offered for sale.
To create an ultra thin automatic movement that met even this very high-standard is incredibly impressive, even at the top-tiers levels of watchmaking.
JLC created this classically elegant Master Control Ultra Thin watch to pay homage to the idea of the classic mens dress watch. Its simple timeless cream dial without date or seconds has faceted dart markers and outer raised dot minute track that truly harkens back to JLC's vintage heritage.
The watch itself presents as 98% like new. The case is just short of perfect mint with one tiny mark on the edge of the bezel by the crystal only visible if you're looking for it or under magnification. The dial, and crystal are all mint. The strap shows signs of use but is very serviceable.
Note that the dial is slightly more silver than our photos and the stock photos suggest.
Our Master Watchmaker has performed any needed servicing and replaced all of the waterproofing gaskets with new seals. It is keeping nearly like new time in all five chronometer testing positions.
For the finishing touch we have fully detailed it making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function, a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate.
- Manufacturer: Jaeger-LeCoultre
- Country of origin: Switzerland
- Model: Ref. 170.2.37 / Q1332511, Master Control Ultra Thin
- Serial no: 2,922,654
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Automatic
- Designed for: Men
- Case material: 18K rose gold
- Case condition: Mint with one tiny mark on the edge of the bezel by the crystal only visible if you're looking for it or under magnification.
- Dimensions: 41mm diameter without the crown
- Dial: Cream with applied faceted 18K rose gold dart indexes, outer graduation for the minutes/seconds, like new. Note that the dial is slightly more silver than our photos and the stock photos suggest.
- Hands: "Dauphines", rose gold
- Movement type: High-grade, automatic, Cal. 898C, rhodium-plated, "fausses-côtes" decoration, 32 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock-absorber, self-compensating flat balance-spring
- Jewels: 32 rubies
- Band: Original, signed JLC, alligator, original JLC 18K rose gold tang buckle, shows signs of use but is very serviceable
- Width between lugs: 20mm
- Crystal: Sapphire glass, mint condition
- Servicing: Our Master Watchmaker has performed any needed servicing and replaced all of the waterproofing gaskets with new seals. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts.
- Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It is keeping nearly like new time in all five chronometer testing positions.
- Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email [email protected] for details.
- Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
- Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee
