First, I'd to thank Bloman for sharing his opinion about this time piece. I am happy to be an owner of this limited series - Master International. Bloman has written a lot about this piece. I'd just to share my personal opinion. The dial face is not entirely black. It is more like charcoal black. It
First, I'd to thank Bloman for sharing his opinion about this time piece.
I am happy to be an owner of this limited series - Master International. Bloman has written a lot about this piece. I'd just to share my personal opinion.
The dial face is not entirely black. It is more like charcoal black. It will definitely go well with the original alligator leather band. However, the original is far too long for my wrist. I have ordered a custom made band from another French leather straps producer. The wait period is 3 months. As I mentioned to Bloman, that is quite a long wait. While I was impatiently waiting for the new leather band, I found a water resistant leather band made by Hirsch. They have a ready made curve ended medium size. The delivery was very quick (from ordered to delivery took less than 3 days). I must admit I am very happy with this leather band. It is water resistant which means I do not have to be too careful while washing my hands. More important of all, it fits snugly and comfortably. The price is a fraction of the original JLC. In my opinion, this watch will only go nicely with a black leather band with black stitches.
There are comments in this forum about the location of the date window. It does not bother me at all. The alarm disc moves whenever there is a need for a timezone check. Again, I am not bothered. If everything is automatic and really convenient, the fun of playing with a time piece is also diminished. Is it a true travel watch, probably not. It is not a GMT, changing timezone is not as convenient as a Master Compressor Dualtime (for instance). Is the looking up of another timezone tedious? Yes, it can be for one has to figure out the +12 and -12 time adjustment and one also needs to know where the heck Samoa is, just take that as an example. So why bother? It is a watch which reminds me of the vintage version. In those days, there was no touch pad, no Android or iPhone, no mobile phone basically. Life was less technically efficient but also less hectic. People must have lot of time and patience to fiddle with a watch like this one to find out the time in another country. How often do I use the timezone disc? Probably only when I feel like I have all the time I need to admire the original design and not in a rush to ring someone in Paris or New York. The answer is I knew I have the tool to do a look up when my mobile has turned dead. It also means it does not matter if the alarm setting is moved when a look up of timezone is completed. If it moves, just reset the time you want it to be. It is not a matter of life and death reminder.
Next brings to the sound of the alarm. I honestly not too impressed by the sound of it. Compared to a Master Compressor Memovox or AMVOX1, this sounds a lot less intensive which means if the environment is noisy, you most likely do not hear the alarm go off at all. It is also true that equipped with a deployant buckle making putting the watch flat on a desk being going to bed not an easy task. If you have to take the buckle off each night only because you want to hear the alarm amplifying sound, the pulling off action will wear out the leather band. But if it was not equipped with a folding buckle, one would think it will equally wear out a leather band quickly. In short, I prefer the sound coming out from a 918.
The crown operations are perfect. Thanks to Bloman again for pointing it out the crown at 2 has an arrow engraved to show the direction of date adjustment. After a few days of ownership and playing with alarm setting, you will not get the direction wrong. The good thing about the newer 956 of course is the quick date change. However, even the 918 does not bother me that much.
The overall look of the watch is elegant and I first thought it would be a good dress watch. There is no doubt about that but it is also a good smart casual watch because of the height of the watch. The lums do not shine as well as the Master Compressor. That is because the lums are small. If you are looking for a true traveler's watch, this probably is not the one.
The case back is something I really like. With this newer design of a solid case back instead of a glued on gold medallion like the Master Compressor, there is no need to worry one day the medallion might come off.
Water resistance is 5 ATM which means you can go for a short swim. I have come to the stage that I know mechanical watches can go diving, swimming or even combat if one is in that profession. If there is a choice to put on just a quartz whatever, I'd rather leave any mechanical watch at home. It is not so much if they can take the challenges, it is if the watch is not checked properly, o-ring may be too old, moisture can get into the case. The hassles afterward are not worth taking the risk, period.
Finally, accuracy of the movement. Watchtime did a review of the Master Control Memovox using the same movement and has commented there is greater deviation of rate at 8 seconds and the average deviation is 2.3 seconds.
My personal experience is about 4 seconds fast per 24 hours.
- the look and design of the dial face, colour of it, quick date execution, water resistance at 5 ATM, the history and the newer design of the 956 movement.
- primarily the sound of the alarm, if it was slightly more prominent, it would be perfect.
Remorse? No, not a bit. Only 750 were produced. I am one of the lucky owners.
Thanks for reading.
