Amanico, a revered contributor, delves into the 2020 Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Géographique, a timepiece that ignited his passion for JLC in the 1990s. His comprehensive review, featuring real-world photographs, explores the evolution of this iconic world time complication. This article offers a valuable historical perspective for both seasoned collectors and new enthusiasts discovering the Géographique's enduring appeal.
In Summer 2020, I could review almost all the new Master Control watches at the exception of two, the Master Control Date, and the Master Control Géographique, which were not there when I spent a whole afternoon at the Paris Boutique for a photo session.
With my recent visit at the Manufacture, it is now done, and I invite you to discover the Master Control Géographique, through some real pictures.
First, let me say that the Master Control Géographique ( let's just call it Géographique ) is one of these watches which led me to pay some strong interest, with the Memovox, to Jaeger Lecoultre, in the 90's.
Indeed, this watch intrigued me and fascinated me a lot, with its magic complication. A watch which is able to give you the time all over the world, that was not common, more than 20 years ago! A watch which is a useful tool when you travel, or which makes you travel without having to move from where you live, that is the kind of concept I like.
The Master Géographique had several cases and dials.
The first one, here in platinum, with a special dial ( Ketchum )
Then, the one from the late 90's, which was sublimated, in my opinion, by these two versions:
Steel Black:
Platinum Grey Blue:
Both coming in a 38, 5 mm case.
In 2011, came the third generation of Géographique, with a 40 mm case, which came in steel, or in rose gold,
With two special versions, a steel with a sector dial, from 2017:
And a steel black dial on bracelet:
We had to wait till year 2020 to finally see a new Master Control Case... It was about time, but let me state that I am very happy with the outcome, with reworked proportions, lines, and some superb bevels on the lugs.
Its case is as big as the other new Master Control ( 40 mm ) and its height is just between the Date ( 8, 78 mm ) and the Memovox ( 12, 39 mm ) with 10, 96 mm.
Side picture:
The proportions of the case seem more harmonious, consistent, even if -because we are always a bit picky- I would have loved to see a 39 mm big / and around 9, 5 mm high case. It would have been even more sublime.
The new Géographique comes in two versions, steel, or Rose Gold:
Those who know the Master Géographique well won't be disoriented with the new dial, as the overall design is the same, but with some details which are the following:
- New Dauphine minute and hour hands.
- The 12 / 24 hours of the night and day indicator is in blue.
- The triangle pointing to the selected city is slimmer.
- The cities window is shaped differently.
- The graduation of the power reserve is different, with a Red Zero, and with a more sober " power " instead of " reserve de marche ".
- My favorite detail: Applied 3 / 9 / 12, instead of just the 12, previously.
- The minute ring is totally different, as we now have a convex flange with applied hour markers which hug it!
- A Red 31 in the subdial dedicated to the date.
- The crosshairs of the subdial dedicated to the second time zone is removed.
And now we have a sunray decorated dial.
The automatic movement is the Cal 939 with the new 70 hours power reserve due to the following technical improvements: A new silicon escapement and pallet, a redesigned barrel, and new oils have been used, among a few other things.
Truth to be told, I am in love with the new Géographique, I feel it received the right amount of improvements in terms of case design and movement. I am just waiting for a black dialed version, or why not, a blue, to add a huge wow factor to an already very tempting watch.
Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts,
Best,
Nicolas
