Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control SIHH 2012

The Master Contrrol is dead, long life to the Master Control!

Don't under estimate it, behind its apparent simplicity and sobriety, the Master Control, which was also called Master Grande Taille, is a symbol.

The Master Control is the first watch from Jaeger-Lecoultre which was submitted to the Master 1000 Hours Control tests, since 1992.

At the contrary of the COSC, the 1000 Hours program includes testing of all finished and cased up watches, with hands and dial, under 6 positions, several temperatures, pressures of 5 ATM, in magnetic fields, and calculated shocks.

The acceptable accuracy is depending on the level of complication of the watch, from -1 + 6 to - 8 + 14 seconds per day.

In the case of the Master Control, the watch has to reach the accuracy of - 1 to + 6 seconds per day, which is more demanding than the COSC specifications.

So, yes, we can call it a Chronometer, and, if we refer to the rich history of the Grande Maison, we can also consider it as the dign heir of the ... Geomatic, not only in the spirit, but also in the aesthetics.

The famous Geomatic:



The first Master Control, also called Master Grande Taille ( 1992 ) :





In 2006, the Master Grande Taille was replaced by the Master Control:





With this Master Control, some changes appeared, such as a sapphire case back ( the MGT had a solid case back bearing the Master Control Logo, as shown on the picture above ), and most important, a bigger case ( 40 mm instead of 37 mm ) and a larger bezel.

The dial of the 2006 version knew some evolutions, too. While the 1992 watch had the JL signature at 12 and the word " automatique " at 6, the heir had a more sober presentation, without the word " automatique " at 6.

Now, many of us regretted the smaller case and the thinner bezel of the first model.

So, you will be pleased to hear that JLC heard us!

Nothing new under the case back, as the Cal 899 is still here, an automatic movement with a unidirectional rotor, with the outer part of its oscillating weight in 22 Ct Gold, receiving the ceramic ball bearings, whose diameter is 26, 6 mm and 3, 30 mm thick.

It allows an autonomy of 43 hours.

The previous Calibre 889:





The current Cal 899:



No, the real new thing is only on the cosmetic field, with this new case, 1 mm smaller ( 39 mm ), 8, 5 mm high, more elegant than the former version, with its slimmer bezel.

It also seems that the crown is a tad thinner, too.

Here are the pictures:



The more elegant case whose lugs are better profiled, in my opinion:



The case back is see through.



The dial didn't change, still underated, sober, pure, without too much wording. I never got the reason which led JLC to write " Automatic " on the Master Grande Taille, by the way.

It looks much better like this, to me.



I would even say that with this new case, the Master Control can now be considered as the dign heir of the Geomatic!



It is also available in rose gold.

Here are some pictures of the gold version:





Gold or steel?



I love the coldness of the steel version, personally.

Looking forward to reading your comments,

Best.

Nicolas. This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-02-20 06:27:42 This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-02-23 14:18:11