At a mere 3.65mm thick, the Piaget Altiplano 900P (one of which will be auctioned off at Only Watch 2015) is known as the world’s thinnest mechanical watch. It was forced to relinquished its title this week to the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Squelette which sports a case only 3.60mm thick.
Jaeger-LeCoultre achieved this new milestone thanks in large part to its Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 849A SQ. The movement measures a mere 1.85mm in thickness thanks to extensive skeletonization. That 0.05mm that gives it its new title of world’s slimmest mechanical watch comes at a cost though. Whereas the Piaget Altiplano 900P offers a power reserve of about 48 hours, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Squelette comes in at about 33 hours.
Unlike the Piaget which uses the case back as the bottom plate for the movement, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Squelette relies on a more traditional design that uses bridges and plates. It contains 119 components and 19 jewels.
The dial, sectioned into 12, encircles the delicate movement and is finished either in enamel (deep blue or frosted chestnut brown) or mother-of-pearl. A guilloché motif adds “a distinctive rhythm to the overall aesthetic of the watch.”
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Squelette specifications:
- Caliber: Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 849A SQ
- Case diameter: 38mm
- Case thickness: 3.60mm
- Case material: White or Pink Gold
- Case colour: Enameled or mother-of-pearl silver-grained skeletonised
- Hands: Feuille
- Power reserve: 33 hours
- Water resistance: 3ATM
- Strap: Alligator
4 different variants are available, each in a limited edition of 100 watches. You can choose from white (with blue dial) and pink (with brown dial) gold pieces as well as two diamond-set white and pink gold ones. Pricing ranges from US$58,500 to US$75,000.
Source : Jaeger-Lecoultre