Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to get a fancy watch for a while now. Not just any watch, though. I wanted something that looked super classy but wasn’t too thick. You know, something that would slide right under my shirt cuff without any fuss. After looking around, I decided to try and make a copy of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Date. Yeah, that super sleek one. It’s got a simple design, just tells you the time and date, but man, does it look good.
First off, I started digging around online to see what makes this watch tick, literally. Found out that the real deal, the original Jaeger-LeCoultre, uses this automatic movement called the Calibre 899. It’s about 39mm across and only 7.8mm thick, which is crazy thin. I also read that some people think these watches are as good as, or even better than, some of the other big-name brands. That got me even more excited to try and replicate it.
So, with all this info in my head, I started looking for parts. I knew I couldn’t get the exact same movement, so I looked for something similar that was thin and reliable. I found a decent automatic movement that was close enough in size. It wasn’t a Calibre 899, but it would do the job.
Next up was the case. I wanted it to be steel, just like the original. I managed to find a supplier online that sold watch cases, and they had a 39mm steel one that looked pretty close to the Jaeger-LeCoultre. The tricky part was getting the thickness right. I ended up having to sand down the inside of the case a bit to make it thinner, but I was careful not to mess it up. I ordered that steel case, it was not easy.
- Finding the dial was a whole other challenge.
- I wanted that clean, simple look with just the hour, minute, and second hands, plus the date window.
- I searched everywhere online and finally found a site that sold replica dials.
- They had one that looked almost identical to the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Date.
- I ordered it right away, hoping it would fit the movement and case.
While I was waiting for the dial to arrive, I started working on the hands. I found some thin, elegant hands online that matched the style I was going for. They weren’t the exact same as the original, but they were close enough. It was a bit of a waiting game. I got the hands before the dial, so I had to wait again.
Putting It All Together
Once all the parts arrived, it was time to put this thing together. I’m not going to lie, it was a bit nerve-wracking. I’d never assembled a watch from scratch before. But I took my time, followed some tutorials I found online, and somehow managed to get it all together. The movement fit perfectly in the case, and the dial looked amazing. Attaching the hands was a bit tricky, but I managed to get them on straight.
The last step was the strap. I found a nice leather strap online that looked like it would match the watch perfectly. Once I attached the strap, the watch was finally complete. I couldn’t believe it, I actually made my own version of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Date!
I’ve been wearing it for a few weeks now, and I have to say, I’m pretty proud of myself. It’s not perfect, but it looks really good, and it keeps time pretty well. Plus, it’s super thin and comfortable to wear. Every time I look at it, I can’t help but smile. It’s a reminder that I can do anything I set my mind to, even if it’s something as crazy as making my own watch.
So, that’s my story of how I made my own version of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Date. It was a fun, challenging project, and I learned a lot along the way. If you’re thinking about trying something like this, I say go for it! Just be prepared to do a lot of research, be patient, and have fun with it.
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