With its streamlined design, elegant proportions and refined details, the Master Ultra Thin Moon embodies all the elements of the quintessential dress watch. For 2023, Jaeger-LeCoultre presents a new variation of the model in pink gold with a gradient midnight blue dial. The rich contrast between the sunray finish and intense gradient blue of the dial and the warmth of the pink gold case adds dramatic impact to the timeless elegance of the design, while accentuating its subtle beauty and refinement.

Perfectly matching the pink gold case, the dial indications enhance the aesthetic harmony of the design and emphasise the beauty of the dial’s gradient colour. The hours are marked by long, tapered triangles, which, like the ‘JL’ logo, are applied; their shape is echoed by the Dauphine hands; and the minutes are indicated by applied golden dots.

The moon phase display adds further detail and refinement, its subtly textured finishes contrasting with the shiny blue of the sunray dial and the mirror-polished moon disc. Displaying the date on a ring around the moon-phase aperture maintains aesthetic harmony and creates a visual anchor for the main complication.

At 39mm in diameter, the case is well-balanced and perfectly proportioned; combining a mix of polished and brushed surfaces, it maintains a strong visual presence on the wrist even with its slim profile. An exact match for the blue of the dial, the alligator strap allows easy changes whenever the wearer wishes.

Developed and produced entirely in-house, the new-generation Calibre 925 is a high-performing automatic movement that provides 70 hours of power reserve. An 18-carat pink gold oscillating weight and refined decoration and finishing can be enjoyed thanks to the transparent case-back.

Perpetuating the Manufacture’s long heritage of pairing sophisticated and high-performing in-house calibres with the aesthetic beauty of timeless case and dial designs, the combination of gradient-blue sunray dial and pink gold case elevates the discreet and classically elegant Master Ultra Thin Moon to a new level of contemporary sophistication.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

MASTER ULTRA THIN MOON

Case: Pink Gold 750/1000 (18 carats)

Dimensions: 39mm diameter x 9.3 mm thick

Calibre: Automatic Calibre 925

Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, moon phases, date

Power Reserve: 70 hours

Dial: Gradient blue sunrayed

Water resistance: 5 bar

Strap: Blue alligator

Reference: Q1362580

The tourbillon was invented at the dawn of the 19th Century, to counteract the negative impact of gravity on the escapements of pocket watches and thus increase accuracy. However, in the 20th century, as pocket watches were superseded by wrist watches, the tourbillon became largely forgotten. In 1946, as part of its continuous research into timekeeping precision, Jaeger-LeCoultre created a tourbillon movement, Calibre 170. Housed in a pocket watch, it was intended for chronometry trials – and in 1948 won first prize in the Neuchâtel Observatory centennial trials, followed by several more prizes during the 1950s. In 1993 – a time when tourbillon wristwatches were still very rare – Jaeger-LeCoultre produced its first example, a Reverso fitted with the rectangular Calibre 828. Further exploration brought the tourbillon to new horizons, leading to the invention of the first spherical, dual-axis tourbillon in 2004 – the Master Gyrotourbillon 1.

In 2009, the Manufacture introduced the Master Tourbillon with Calibre 978, which won the International Chronometry Prize organised by the Horological Museum of Le Locle, Switzerland. This calibre has been Jaeger-LeCoultre mainstay tourbillon movement ever since, and received a comprehensive update in 2019 featuring new high-end finishes.

For the Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon Moon, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s engineers capitalised on the 978 movement to develop the new Calibre 983, with the addition of the moon phase and ‘jumping’ date complications.

The triple moon phase indicator – displaying the age of the moon as well as its phases in both Hemispheres – is also a recent development, having been introduced last year. Beating at a frequency of 28,800 vph (4 Hz), the new Calibre 983 offers a power reserve of 45 hours.

Timeless style and a new pink gold alloy

The Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon Moon is presented in a case made of Le Grand Rose gold. Introduced this year, the new pink gold alloy has a remarkable sheen and depth of colour, and is highly resistant to fading over time. True to the classically elegant design codes of Master Ultra Thin, the case is fully polished, with elongated and bevelled lugs and a fine bezel.

Complementing the warmth of the pink gold, an eggshell-white dial provides a restrained backdrop that places all the emphasis on the moon phase display and tourbillon. Adding to the sense of refinement, the shape of the Dauphine hands is echoed by the elongated arrow-shape of the applied golden indexes. Closer examination reveals different index profiles as the shapes are modified according to their position on the dial, as well as several key details marked in red, to increase legibility and add a discreet touch of colour.

Original and intriguing displays

Set in the upper half of the dial, the astronomical complication displays the Northern Hemisphere moon phases in the traditional way – a deep blue sky scattered with stars provides the background for a polished golden disc. Surrounding this is a ring with applied Southern Hemisphere moon phases on the left and the Age of the Moon on the right, each indicated by a double-ended hand.

For the peripheral date display the Manufacture’s engineers chose Jaeger-LeCoultre’s signature ‘jumping’ complication. Every month, the date hand makes 90-degree jump, gliding rapidly from the 15th to the 16th, in order not to obscure the tourbillon.

The lower half of the dial is dominated by the tourbillon. A newly designed bridge in polished pink gold secures the titanium tourbillon cage (which weighs around 0.3 grams with its components) as it completes one revolution every 60 seconds. The fine tourbillon bridge and wide aperture maximise transparency and light, drawing the eye right through the mechanism.

On the reverse side, the long span of the open-worked tourbillon bridge further enhances this transparency, while its Côtes de Genève decoration complements the sunray pattern of the stripes on the main plate. The open-worked pink gold winding rotor, which features the JL logo and a combination of polished and micro-blasted surfaces, allows a clear view of the movement, with additional fine finishes including blue screws, circular graining and chamfered bridges.

Like all Jaeger-LeCoultre timepieces, the Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon Moon carries an eight-year warranty in addition to the 1,000 Hours Control certification – one of the watch industry’s most stringent testing protocols.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Dimensions: 41.5mm x 12.10mm

Calibre: automatic mechanical movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 983, 28,800 vph (4 Hz)

Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, peripheral ‘jumping’ date (from the 15^th to the 16^th), tourbillon, moon phases in both Hemispheres and age-of-moon indicator

Power reserve: 45 hours

Case: Le Grand Rose gold

Dial: eggshell with applied indexes and Dauphine hands

Case-back: open

Water resistance: 5 bar

Reference: Q1692410

For Jaeger-LeCoultre, the moon and stars have a special resonance, due to the exceptional clarity of the night sky above its home in Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux, and this year its watchmakers and artistic craftsmen return to the celestial theme. To coincide with the 76th Venice International Film Festival – La Biennale di Venezia, La Grande Maison presents a dazzling new interpretation of that most beloved of astronomical complications, the moon phase.

DAZZLING RENDEZ-VOUS MOON

The moon: Luna. Symbol of romance and femininity. The source of nature’s ebb and flow, the cycle of the seasons, and inspiration for artists and poets. The closest heavenly body to Earth, yet still so enigmatic.

Dazzling Rendez-Vous Moon pays tribute to feminine strength and beauty, presenting La Grande Maison’s emblematic moon phase function in a magnificent new setting. Echoing the serene beauty of the night sky, the icy sparkle of diamonds is warmed by pink gold and complemented by glowing white mother of pearl.

This new, fully gem-set interpretation of Dazzling Rendez-Vous follows the launch of Dazzling Rendez-Vous Night & Day (in white gold or pink gold) and Dazzling Rendez-Vous Moon (in white gold) at SIHH in January this year, followed by the ruby-set Dazzling Rendez-Vous Red, on the occasion of Shanghai International Film Festival in June.

The Dazzling Rendez-Vous Moon bezel comprises 108 diamonds, forming two concentric rings around the watch case. There’s an airy quality to these glittering circles, thanks to the claw (or ‘griffes’) setting of the outer ring of 36 stones. A classical jewellery technique – indeed, it was employed by Jaeger-LeCoultre’s craftsmen for Model 101, the celebrated High Jewellery design of the 1920s – it requires great precision. Designed to maximise the presence of each stone, the setting allows light to pass through the diamonds from every angle, while minimising the visible metal. In Dazzling Rendez-Vous the fine gold claws hold the diamonds high, giving an impression that they’re almost floating around the watch case, rather than anchored to it. To complete the case, diamonds are also set into the lugs and the winding crown.

The sumptuous, fully-set bracelet is a masterpiece of the jewellery crafts: Jaeger-LeCoultre’s gem-setters have bezel-set 310 diamonds (22.27 carats), linking them seamlessly together to form a river of diamonds that wraps around the wrist as softly as a ribbon.

The moonlight-white mother-of-pearl dial abounds with subtle details: on an outer ring, mirror-polished golden spheres mark the hours; on the main hours ring, each of the applied pink gold numerals is set on a separate mother-of-pearl ‘tile’, all anchored by an inner circle of 47 diamonds.

It is a perfect setting for a romantic and lovely moon phase display. Visible through an opening at 6 o’clock, the new design features a shiny mother-of-pearl moon floating against a starry aventurine night sky, and playing hide-and-seek behind a cloud of carved mother-of-pearl as it cycles through its different phases over the course of a month.

Uniting La Grande Maison’s artistic skills with its renowned technical acumen, the Dazzling Rendez-Vous Moon is powered by the Calibre 925/A1 – a self-winding mechanical movement developed and produced in-house and providing a power reserve of 38 hours. The transparent sapphire case-back reveals some fine decoration and finishing in the classical style: blued screws, circular graining, Côtes de Genève and the pink gold signature winding rotor with Côtes de Genève decoration.

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Dazzling Rendez-Vous Moon is a fitting tribute to the beauty of the night sky.

Technical characteristics:

Dimensions: 36 mm

Calibre: automatic mechanical movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 925A/1

Functions: hours/minutes, moon phase

Power reserve: 38 hours

Case: pink gold

Dial: mother-of-pearl, diamonds

Diamonds: 478 diamonds – 24.7 cts

Water resistance: 5 bar

Case back: Open

Reference: Q3522370

Moon phases against a sumptuous backdrop... A mysterious star reminding you of a Rendez-Vous to come... A wave of blue, and sparkling diamonds... An automatic movement in a watch whose name conjures up a soft, tranquil mood... This precious pink gold version of the Rendez-Vous Moon Serenity watch relays the quintessence of the Manufacture’s watchmaking and jewellery expertise.

Moon Phases in an ocean of blue

The Rendez-Vous Moon Serenity is all in blue, with a mother-of-pearl moon phase set off against its satin-brushed star chart. Dainty golden half-spheres scintillate under the light above the enchanting blue of its inner dial, recreating the constellations of the night sky on a starry evening. The floral hour numerals that are so emblematic of the Rendez-Vous collection softly fade into the lower part of the satin-brushed sunray dial, almost to the point of vanishing altogether. The hour numerals form the arc of a circle, their discretion inviting the eye to focus on the splendour of this nocturnal ballet, in its endlessly cycles of renewal...

Equally precious and precise

The bezel is encircled by a crown of 62 brilliant-cut diamonds. Each precious gemstone is rigorously selected before it can be precisely positioned alongside the other gems in the setting. Like a wayward butterfly, a mysterious circling star indicates the time of an upcoming Rendez-Vous. Inconspicuous and mischievous, this glittering star reminds us that the name of the watch – which is also the name of the collection – was chosen for exactly that reason. The beating heart of the Rendez-Vous Moon Serenity is powered by the precision of its automatic mechanical movement, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 935, whose 265 components can be admired through the sapphire crystal case-back. Through both its faces, the Rendez-Vous Moon Serenity watch in pink gold presents an alluring temptation to travel, with the stars as our companions along the way. In the purity of its lines and the refinement of its contours and materials, this resolutely contemporary watch channels the distinguished combination of the Grande Maison’s Rare Handcrafts “Métiers Rares”®.

Rendez-Vous Moon Serenity

Dimensions: 36 mm

Thickness: 10.5 mm

Calibre: 935 – Automatic

Case: Pink gold

Water resistance: 3 bar

Functions: Hour/Minute, Moon phases, Rendez-Vous indicator

Power reserve: 38 hours

Dial: Blue Satin finish

Diamonds: 124 diamonds – 1.31 carats

Case-back: Open

Reference: Q3522480

Jaeger-LeCoultre

Ever since its founding in 1833, Jaeger-LeCoultre has made precision an art in its own right, striking the perfect balance between well-honed expertise, artistic vision, sophistication and aesthetic refinement. In keeping with the inventive spirit of founder Antoine LeCoultre, the master watchmakers of the Manufacture create bold collections at the very forefront of Fine Watchmaking: Reverso, Master, Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris, Rendez-Vous and Atmos – the rich heritage of the Grande Maison, an undying source of inspiration over the centuries for unprecedented creations that never cease to push the limits.

www.jaeger-lecoultre.com