So, I’ve been wanting to get my hands on a fancy watch for a while, you know, something that really screams “I’ve made it” but also isn’t too flashy. That’s when I stumbled upon the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar. I mean, the name itself is a mouthful, but it sounded intriguing.
First off, I did my usual deep dive on the internet, trying to find out everything about this watch. Turns out, Jaeger-LeCoultre is this super old Swiss watchmaker, started way back in 1833. The Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar is part of their Master collection, which is all about classic, elegant designs. I noticed that they were found in Le Sentier, Switzerland. I said to myself I am going to get one of those.
I started my hunt at the official Jaeger-LeCoultre flagship store. I figured, why not go straight to the source, right? The store was fancy, all polished and shiny, just like the watches. There were so many options, but I had my eyes set on the Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar.
I tried on a few variations. There was one with a midnight blue dial, another with a silver dial, and one with this classic eggshell beige dial. They all looked stunning, with this polished case and bezel that just played with the light so beautifully. Each one was 39mm in diameter and only 9.2mm thick, which felt really sleek on my wrist.
The salesperson was all knowledgeable, telling me about the Cal. 476, or 12A, which is apparently the first automatic movement from Jaeger-LeCoultre, introduced back in 1946. I was learning some history. In the mid 1950s, these watches were in the same price range as those from the holy trinity. Isn’t that wild?
After trying them on, I decided to go with the eggshell beige dial. It just felt right, you know? Classic, elegant, but not too showy. It felt like a piece I could wear every day, but also to those fancy events where I need to impress.
But here’s the thing – I also wanted to see what else was out there. So, I started checking out some pre-owned and vintage watch dealers. I mean, who doesn’t love a good deal? Plus, there’s something cool about owning a watch with a bit of history.
I browsed through a bunch of online listings, looked at auctions, and even visited a few local shops. There are experts out there who specialize in buying and selling older Jaeger-LeCoultre watches, and I wanted to tap into that market.
I found some interesting pieces, but nothing that really compared to the new one I tried on at the flagship store. Some had different movements, others were from different eras, but they just didn’t have that same charm as the Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar.
So, after all that searching and comparing, I decided to go back to the flagship store and pull the trigger on the new one. It felt like the right decision. I mean, it’s a brand new watch, straight from the manufacturer, with all the latest technology and that classic design I fell in love with.
Here’s what I ended up getting:
- Model: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar
- Dial: Eggshell beige
- Case: Polished, 39mm diameter, 9.2mm thickness
- Movement: Cal. 476 (12A) automatic
My Final Thoughts
Getting this watch was a whole journey, from researching to trying on different models, to exploring the pre-owned market. But in the end, I’m super happy with my decision. This Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar is more than just a watch; it’s a piece of history, a work of art, and a statement. And yeah, it feels pretty darn good to wear it on my wrist.