If the suit is a modern gentleman’s armour, and king’s men are the new knights, then it’s definitely watches instead of swords they wield
Based off the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master line, this exquisite limited edition watch is a completely new model that did not previously exist within the collection. Kudos to Jaeger-LeCoultre for going the extra mile. And as the latest Kingsman flick (The King’s Man) takes us back a hundred years to the early 1900s, the fact that its agents wore a wristwatch tells us that they were completely updated on the latest technology.
Because during the early 1900s, pocket watches were still the norm and people were only just beginning to transition into wristwatches.
This particular specimen showcases Jaeger-LeCoultre’s incredible mastery of ultra-thin watchmaking. Then as much as now, Ultra-thin timepieces were truly objects of refined elegance. They grew in significance after Jaeger-LeCoultre founder, master watchmaker Antoine LeCoultre, devised a way to rearrange the components of the movement on a single plane. Known as LeCoultre calibres, they completely revolutionised watchmaking and paved the way for wristwatches.
So Jaeger-LeCoultre x Mr Porter Master Ultra Thin Kingsman Knife watch is truly ultra-thin at just 4.2mm for the case, and 1.85mm for the movement – a handwound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 849. All of this takes us back to a specific piece in the manufacture’s long history: a 1907 Couteau (French for ‘knife’) pocket watch. So thin, it looks like a knife’s blade when viewed from the side.
All the king’s watches…
Since Kingsman I (2014), fans of the franchise have been watching the movies as much for the swashbuckling fight scenes as the slick suits and even slicker accessories. All prerequisites for a neoclassic spy movie: bulletproof umbrellas, stun pens, shoes with little poison-tipped knives, and watches that shoot projectile darts.
Indeed, the timepieces worn on set actually played supporting roles to the characters wearing them.
Decked out in their best Savile Row finery, the Kingsman agents wore Bremont timepieces in Kingsman: The Secret Service. They were specially designed military inspired watches based on the ALT1-Z collection.
Marketed as a bloody smart watch, three variants were produced. One black DLC steel ALT1-B2 GMT issued to the new recruits, and one rose gold ALT1-WT world time chronograph for fully trained agents. Plus a steel version of the world time chronograph.
These watches retailed exclusively on the Mr Porter Costume to Collection series, along with apparel, leather goods, as well as small accessories.
… And all the king’s men
All the good work done in the first installation continues through to the second. Kingsman: The Golden Circle was pretty enjoyable if you’d overlook a couple of inconsistencies.
Watch geeks had a field trip identifying all the TAG Heuer timepieces worn by agents on both sides of the Atlantic.
Where Kingsman agents wore the TAG Heuer Connected watch with their logo on the screen, Statesman agents had on square-cased TAG Heuer Monacos in varying colours and features.
This time round, there was much more screen time given to the watches. They have even been written into the script, helping the agents unlock an advanced biometric security system.
Of course, given how prominent the Monaco is, with blue dial and blue chronograph subdials, you just can’t miss it on the screen.
While we don’t know yet how this ultra-thin ultra-sharp Jaeger-LeCoultre timepiece will be featured in The King’s Man, we’re certain that it’ll come in very handy for the agent who gets to wear it.
Until 6 September, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Kingsman Knife watch will be offered exclusively on Mr Porter. Thereafter, it will retail directly on Jaeger-LeCoultre online and in select boutiques.
The King’s Man is coming to cinemas in Singapore this 17 September.
