Inside the Master Ultra Thin watches are Jaeger-LeCoultre in-house made movements. Each watch has a sapphire crystal exhibition caseback allowing you to view them– which is something we tend to look for in almost all dress watches. There are two movements in use here: the Master Ultra Thin contains a Caliber 896 automatic that operates at 28,800 bph with a 43 hour power reserve and is itself just 3.98mm thick. This movement offers just the time with a subsidiary seconds dial. The Master Ultra Thin Date, on the other hand, contains the Caliber 899 automatic. It has the same specs as the 896 but it is just 3.3mm thick and offers the time with central seconds hand and a date window.

These are each excellent movements and decorated nicely by Jaeger-LeCoultre. If you like the idea of an automatic dress watch with an in-house made movement these should be on a short list. If you want to go thinner, Jaeger-LeCoultre has other options. Also new for 2014 is the Master Ultra thin 1907 (and a version with a Grand Feu enamel dial). It is manually wound but just  5.04mm thick containing the very thin JLC Caliber 849 that is 1.85mm thick.

Each of the Master Ultra Thin watches in pink gold comes with a brown alligator strap and is a stunningly beautiful watch. The old and respected Swiss houses do these timepieces very well, and Jaeger-LeCoultre is among perhaps a dozen brands that you should look at if looking for a serious dress watch with a high pedigree. If trying to select between these two then go with your gut. Neither is per se a better watch. The Master Ultra Thin is a bit narrower with a subsidiary seconds dial while the Master Ultra thin Date is a bit wider with a date complication.

Price in steel (reference 127 84 20) for the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin is $8,500 and in gold (ref. 127 25 20) is $15,200. The Master Ultra Thin Date (ref. 128 25 10) is $16,700. jaeger-lecoultre.com