Jaeger Lecoultre Master Control Calendar and Chronograph Calendar in Steel. Some real pictures and thoughts.
amanico
This year, Jaeger Lecoultre had the good idea to revisit the Master Control collection, and started with the Date, the Calendar, the Chronograph Calendar, the Geographique and the Memovox.
So, now, the Master Control watches have a new case, a redesigned dial and for some of them, an improved movement.
After having reviewed the Memovox and the Memovox Timer, let's now focus our attention on two of them, the steel versions of the Master Control Calendar and the Master Chronograph Calendar.
1/ MASTER CONTROL CALENDAR:
If you compare the new Master Calendar with the former, you will notice that it is very close in terms of aesthetics, which is a good thing as the former was a great looking watch.
The former, from 2013:
And the Meteorite version, issued in 2015, with its 39 mm big, 10, 6 mm high case, which are the same dimensions as the 2013 version.
The new case is one millimeter bigger and 0, 35 mm thicker ( 40 mm / 10, 95 mm ) than the former one, but gains a lot in elegance despite its slightly bigger proportions, while the former started to seriously look outdated.
Here is a side picture:
The lugs look less " heavy ", generously beveled and even the bezel is thinner.
Here is a real photo:
The term " elegance " also applies for the dial.
As for the case, you would probably think there is, at first sight, no major changes... Wrongly. Indeed, there are some subtle but more elegant differences, such as the longer and slightly slimmer applied indices which are, with the applied 3 / 9 / 12, curiously more centered.
If I prefer the longer triangular applied indices, I am not sure I prefer the fact they are more centered...
The opaline dial has a sun ray finishing, discreet and classy.
I like the date pointer, whose tip is JL shaped.
The second hand is blue now, and the moon phase has been redesigned. The thinner seconds ring is more sober than in the former version.
As noted by many of us, the " automatique " wording was not necessary, and spoils the class of this very class dial.
Now, the big change is the date ring... The date jumps from the 15th to the 16th, in order to come over the superb moon phase. A system which was first used in the Master Tourbillon in 2005.
Isn't that moon phase superb?
As for the movement, the automatic Cal 866 sees its power reserve increased to 70 hours, as well, with the same technical improvements as for the Cal 899: A new silicon escapement and pallet, a redesigned barrel, and new oils have been used, among a few other things.
This movement is visible through the sapphire case back:
This Master Control Calendar is available in steel, of course but also in rose gold, with a new alloy, adding Palladium, to offer more depth and to avoid oxidation. This new alloy is called " Le Grand Rose gold ". I find it very " qualitative " and well made.
Let's now see an even more exciting model, at least in my opinion, the Master Control Chronograph Calendar.
MASTER CONTROL CHRONOGRAPH CALENDAR:
The combination of a chronograph and a calendar has been marvellously used by some brands in the 40's and 50's, giving birth to some superb masterpieces. For Jaeger Lecoultre, in a wristwatch, this combination is a first, and a great one:
Can we call it an instant Classic?
This Chronograph Calendar receives the new Master case which is, like the three others, 40 mm big, but thicker, with a 12, 05 mm height, here.
Thicker, yes, but not too bold, or at least, less bold in the reality than on pictures:
It is 1, 5 mm thinner than the Duometre à Chronographe!
I also appreciate these rectangular chronograph pushers:
Of course, the Chronograph Calendar shares the same elements of decoration for its dial: Sunburst dial, circular decoration for the subdials, heated blue hands for the small seconds and 30 minute chronograph counter, a new moon phase, applied slim triangular indices and 12, Dauphine hands.
This dial is a milestone in terms of elegance and symmetry. Another nod to the past, the pulsometer scale, which allows this watch to be called a " Doctor's watch ".
As for the movement, it is well known. Take a Cal 75x which has first saw the light a bit less than 15 years ago, add the triple date and moon phase modules, and you have the Cal 759, an automatic movement offering a power reserve of 65 hours.It doesn't receive the technical improvements seen in the three other watches discussed above, but the power reserve is very close to the new Master Control Date and Calendar.
A word on the strap, which for once pleases me a lot: Called Novonappa, this calf strap is very supple, comfortable and good looking. For me, it is much better looking and pleasant than the alligator strap. A must have, and not only for these watches.I hope that Jaeger Lecoultre will make it in different colors.
Most probably an instant Classic,which is available, like the Master Calendar in steel and in Le Grand Rose Gold.
Can you imagine it with a black, blue or tobacco dial?
Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts,
Best.
Nicolas
Comments:
xxn September 20th, 2020-23:30
Great review Nice to see JLC give more attention to the case details and lug aesthetics. Previous MC case designs have aged poorly because of it.
amanico September 20th, 2020-23:34
I have to agree with you with the former Master Case.
Reuven Malter September 21st, 2020-01:06
Thank you very much for your nice article! I guess you have not seen the rg version in the metal? Do you think it is really nicer then previous Rg watches from JLC?
amanico September 21st, 2020-01:34
I still have to see them in the metal, the rose gold versions. I will tell you and share some pictures, as soon as I see them.
hs111 September 21st, 2020-01:09
Really a nice line-up and - needless to say, great pics !.. guess my take would be the Master Ctrl Chronograph Calendar, as of now.. ,, but if a black or blue dial might come-up in the near future, that would also be a real temptation. - Guess, I need to check with my JLC Boutique , to see them in real, but I trust,, it will take a while, until they find their way to here. Thx for that...
amanico September 21st, 2020-01:35
Give them a call, I am pretty sure they received them. Thanks, HS.
blau September 21st, 2020-03:26
I hadn't noticed the big jump in the date hand... on the regular 'Calendar'. That's very cool, and I suspect very helpful.
amanico September 21st, 2020-09:13
That's a great detail, indeed. Thanks for your feedback, my friend.
aperna September 21st, 2020-06:43
Two outstanding "classics" I prefer JLC moonphase over my FPJ lune anyday
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amanico
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amanico
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