1993 through 2000 when the Master Moon eclipsed it. Originally, the Metal seal over the back (they were almost all closed back) had the numerical # of the watch produced within a series. When JLC began switching over to sapphire case backs, the Master Control Seal disappeared. The true "significance" of the seal was to illustrate the seal of the Master Control line. I would venture to guess that your model came out around 1996.