A very nice surprise
quattro
When I picked up my grandfather's watch, I was able to try on the new Master Control Chronometer.
And the Date version ref. Q4158120 was a very pleasant surprise.
The blue-grey gradient sunray dial is simply wonderful. And the date window with matching date disc is very well executed.
The 38 x 8.4 mm case has a perfect size and fit on the wrist (at least on my 16 cm wrist).
The bracelet design is original and much better looking than the photos can show.
It features intermediate links in the shape of triangular prisms featuring angles which are echoed on the outer part of the links and which draw inspiration from the form of the slim Dauphine hands and the matching, faceted shape of the applied indexes.
Only drawback: no micro-adjustment system is featured (but I know from experience with my Alpine Eagle that it's not necessarily a problem).
The 8,4 mm thickness makes the watch a pleasure to wear: it really blends into the wrist.
And the new “HPG” caliber 899 is much more pleasant to look at than the previous versions of it.
“HPG” stands for “High Precision Guarantee” and was featured on some watches from the 1970s, especially some equipped with caliber 916, like this Memovox “Egg”:
credit: Analo Shift
But this “High Precision Guarantee” is now revived as the new “Jaeger-LeCoultre Seal”, which evaluates performance against four critical elements of daily wear: altitude, shocks, positions, and temperature.
Previous 899 Caliber
credit: Monochrome, Deployant & Jaeger-LeCoultre
But apart from this size drawback it is still a very nice watch.
Side by side, the Date Power Reserve might look a little more eye-catching, my preference for the Date only version remained: simpler, slimmer, better (for me).
Finally, I also tried on the Perpetual Calendar in Pink Gold ref. Q417216J, with its bronze-coloured sunray dial and hammered gold leaf moon.
The case has the same 39 x 9.2 mm size as the Date Power Reserve.
Only drawback: no micro-adjustment system is featured (but I know from experience with my Alpine Eagle that it's not necessarily a problem).
The 8,4 mm thickness makes the watch a pleasure to wear: it really blends into the wrist.
And the new “HPG” caliber 899 is much more pleasant to look at than the previous versions of it.
“HPG” stands for “High Precision Guarantee” and was featured on some watches from the 1970s, especially some equipped with caliber 916, like this Memovox “Egg”:
credit: Analo Shift
But this “High Precision Guarantee” is now revived as the new “Jaeger-LeCoultre Seal”, which evaluates performance against four critical elements of daily wear: altitude, shocks, positions, and temperature.
It also implies aesthetic improvements as the caliber 899 has been refined: the balance cock, in particular, has been thinned down, as you can see from the photos below (if you want to learn more about HPG, read the press release here).
New HPG 899 Caliber
Previous 899 Caliber
credit: Monochrome, Deployant & Jaeger-LeCoultre
I was also able to try on the steel Date Power Reserve version ref. Q4168120.
Although it is very nice looking in its own right, the 39 x 9.2 mm size didn't look and feel as nice on my wrist.
But apart from this size drawback it is still a very nice watch.
Side by side, the Date Power Reserve might look a little more eye-catching, my preference for the Date only version remained: simpler, slimmer, better (for me).
Finally, I also tried on the Perpetual Calendar in Pink Gold ref. Q417216J, with its bronze-coloured sunray dial and hammered gold leaf moon.
The case has the same 39 x 9.2 mm size as the Date Power Reserve.
And the dial is too busy for me, with a two-part digital year display and a “critical” zone indicator just above the canon pinion, which I don't like very much.
In conclusion, the steel Date Master Control Chronometer is a very appealing watch and a clear winner for me among the other models of the line.
In conclusion, the steel Date Master Control Chronometer is a very appealing watch and a clear winner for me among the other models of the line.
However, the lack of a screw-down crown and the limited water resistance to 50 m are a problematic choice for those who, like me, wear this type of watch mainly in the summer (otherwise, I could be tempted)...
What are your thoughts on this watch in particular and on this new line in general?
Thanks for reading.
Best, Emmanuel
Comments:
imrootbeer7 April 26th, 2026-08:18
Very lovely looking watches and bracelets The prices are relatively now, but I’m sure will make a good purchase on the secondary market. I’m hoping to purchase something next year and JLC certainly on the radar.
quattro April 26th, 2026-19:30
Yes, they've really created a very appealing watch with this MCC Date. I was surprised to like it so much! Best, Emmanuel
AuHavrePro April 26th, 2026-08:22
Excellent overview. There are elements on these that I do like quite a bit, but also elements which I am not fond of at all.... Given the saturation in the market for this type of timepiece, my preference still firmly lies with VC and the Overseas line in particular. So many...
quattro April 26th, 2026-19:34
Thank you, Filip! I completely understand your preference for the Overseas, especially considering the WR and ruggedness. But from a design perspective the MCC Date is absolutely wonderful and I prefer it over any Overseas, personally. Keep us posted when your VC visit is ...
jlux April 26th, 2026-08:32
Thanks for this great review! This is a watch that I certainly want to see in real. As far as I know there is a similar to the Overseas micro-adjust system on the bracelet .
quattro April 26th, 2026-19:37
Thank you, Gerard ! There was no micro adjustment system on the example I tried and the sales person confirmed that there wasn’t one… Is it a feature which will be present on the final product which shouldn’t be delivered before early September ? Best, Emmanuel
jack johnson April 26th, 2026-08:35
Thank you for the great post, Emmanuel! I, two, liked the three-hander version the best aesthetically, and this was the version I ended up ordering. I think this is a very elegant and successful watch.
quattro April 26th, 2026-19:39
Great! You did so well to order this MCC Date: it is incredibly appealing ! I was told that the watches ordered until May would/should be delivered in September. Those ordered later will/should be delivered at the beginning of 2027. Best, Emmanuel
Arronax April 26th, 2026-08:45
A shame they didn't push deeper into sports territory A 10-15atm WR would have put them in a very unique position.
quattro April 26th, 2026-19:41
I agree, but they don’t consider this watch a sport watch, contrarily to the Polaris… Best, Emmanuel
0-10-10
Load More Comments
Next Article
amanico
Jaeger Lecoultre Duomètre à Chronographe, White Gold, Black Dial. 9th birthday.
amanico
Those who know me also know my story with the Duometre. To make it short, I first had it in platinum with an uncommon white dial ( circa 50 were made in this dial configuration ) in October 2008. Then it was stolen to me in January 2011 and it took me almost 6 years to replace it in December 2016, with this very powerful and eye-catching version, the white gold case / black dial, which was issued at the 2010 SIHH. It was love at first sight when I discovered this new version in 2010, at the point that I even ...
© 2017 - WatchProZine