Jaeger Lecoultre Master Control Géographique ( 2020 Collection ). Some thoughts.
amanico
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
Comments:
George Gently March 3rd, 2022-10:43
Strong offer and a real classic Seeing the photos, it seems it's hard to tell the time of the steel version because of it's silver hands and dial.
amanico March 3rd, 2022-17:28
Sure that it is not the easiest in terms of legibility. A tad better in the real.
xxn March 3rd, 2022-11:12
Nice refinements to case and lugs, bezel could be a little more concave to add more balanced case as side profile reveals front and back to be somewhat flat….
amanico March 3rd, 2022-17:32
I am not sure about the bezel. I quite like it as it is. Quite elegant, me think.
jiggerly-cool March 3rd, 2022-11:24
As someone living in Hong Kong, I'm somewhat saddened to see HK switched for Beijing in the 2020 revision Makes me consider my pre-2020 Geographique more of a keeper
Esharp March 3rd, 2022-14:14
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again Why can’t we choose at least some cities on world time watches?!? If I can order a new car from the factory with my choice of tan or black interior, or even customise the colour of the hubcaps or seat belts, it shouldn’t be impossible to do this with watc...
amanico March 3rd, 2022-17:37
Aaah, my friend, I love the parallel you are making with automotive. More than once, I think that Manufactures and reviewers should take some serious inspiration from automotive universe. I think it would be great to have the opportunity when you order a watch to have your own selection of cities. It will be unique, and expensive, as the bespoke is always a bit expensive. But why not?
Esharp March 4th, 2022-06:59
Thank you! I have been talking about this for years…no idea why it can’t be…and honestly it probably doesn’t even have to add much cost. To the companies: the WRONG city (for me) PREVENTS me from buying your world time watch. There are a few out there which I would ...
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amanico
Some thoughts on the Jaeger Lecoultre Hybris Mechanica 11.
amanico
I already reviewed the Jaeger Lecoultre Hybris Mechanica in 2014, when it was unveiled, but I could handle the definitive watch, which will be very soon sent to its owner. I furtively saw it at the SIHH, this year, but I could take more time to appreciate it, during my last visit at the Manufacture, in April 2019, and take pictures of it. Aesthetically, it is not far from the prototype. Here is the picture I took in 2014.
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