When choosing a mainstream high-end modern dress watch, there are only a couple of brands that really come to mind- Patek Philippe, A. Lange & Sohne, Vacheron, and Audemars Piguet, all of which are at very high price points. The Jaeger LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moonphase on the other hand, is, in my opinion, a great value proposition for an haute horlogerie dress piece.
The Jaeger LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon is the type of timepiece that is timeless in style and distinctly discreet in the way it wears on one’s wrist. It is understated at first glance but when you look closer, you’d be inclined to agree that its overall design and aesthetics are ‘masterfully’ executed. Classically sized at 39mm with a 9.5mm thickness, this is a perfect modern interpretation of a traditional dress watch. Its size hits the sweet spot, balancing traditional understatement and modern relevance. This is a watch that feels most at home when paired with formal attire but is still capable for more casual attire.
Furthermore, it is housed in a stainless steel case with a sunburst silver dial which provides a clean dial background for matching applied hour markers and a pair of slim thermal-blued, dauphine hands. The Master Ultra Thin series has a whole range of complications, and the simplicity of a singular moonphase at 6 o’clock is executed excellently on this reference. These intricate details and design elements helped foster a restrained sense of simplicity on the Master Ultra Thin Moon which, I think, makes the watch even more desirable.
Flip the watch over and you are greeted by a lovely sapphire caseback housing Jaeger LeCoultre’s 245-part, 30-jeweled, Cal. 925AA, which is a self-winding movement that has a frequency of 28,800 bhp and an impressive power reserve of 70 hours. They are excellent movements and finished very nicely with your classic Cotes de Geneve stripes.
Not many timepieces transcend time and fashion with as much discretion and elegance. In my opinion, the Jaeger LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon is one such timepiece. This is as classic as it gets for a dress watch and one that sits very elegantly on the wrist. It doesn’t try to be too different or loud but acts exactly as it should. Pure beauty.
