Jaeger-LeCoultre

Do you remember the Chronometry Contest in 2009?

Some manufactures decided to attend this contest, like in the good old days, where every precision timer prepared, for his brand, his " champion ".

The watches sent to the Le Locle " Musée de L' Horlogerie " by JLC were the Master Tourbillon and the Gyrotourbillon 1, after being adjusted by a team led by the Technical Director, Mr Jean Claude Meylan.

The timing results of the competition show that the Master Tourbillon gained on average 0.13

seconds a day, or less than 47.5 seconds a year, and its rate did not vary more than 0.28

seconds a day.

It was the winner of the contest, very closely followed by the Gyrotourbillon 1.

We were in December 2009:



Like a reminder... that the the simple decorum of the Master Tourbillon hides, in reality, a true champion of accuracy.

The Master Tourbillon...





... Which was developed in a bigger case, with the Master Grand Tourbillon ( here, 175th Anniversary version ) ...



Without forgetting that, in 2010, JLC released another variation of the Master Tourbillon in a smaller case ( 39 mm ) with a " central round date ) :



... to finally adopt the Master Grande Tradition case.

Here, things are simple, as it is very close to the Master Grand Tourbillon:

Same size ( 43 mm ) and thickness ( 12, 95 mm ), same movement ( Cal 978 ), almost the same dial ( the " bigger " difference being that the index numbers at 9 and 3 were changed on the MGT Tourbillon for triangular indexes ).

The only thing which changes is the case, with its more curved and sweeter lugs.

Personally, I much prefer the Master Grande Tradition case for its lugs.

I find the watch gains in elegance.

The dial on the platinum version is grey, with rodhium plated indexes and hands, while the rose gold version receives a beige dial with gilt hour markers and hands.

The rose gold is not limited, while the platinum version is limited to 200 pieces.

Here are some pictures of the platinum:





And, to end, a view on the famous Cal 978:



Let's not forget that this Tourbillon, like the Master Tourbillon or the Master Grand Tourbillon, also offers a 2d time zone, a jumping date from 15 to 16 which you can adjust forward and backward, and a power reserve of 48 Hours.

Best to all.

Nicolas.

was the "test case" for the new Master Control series: 39mm, thinner bezel, ivory dial that extends all-the-way across the dial w/o any flange (for a visually larger look), etc.

Question: beacuse it's Master Grande Tradition, does that mean that it has a silicon escapement?

-Dean

The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that 39 mm is the perfect size for the Master Control line.

There is a balance at this size which is a bit lost, when you grow in size, in the Master Control line.

As for the Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon, it doesn't have a silicon escapement.

In fact, only 2 of the Master Grande Tradition received a silicon escapement: The Yellow Gold MGT Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar and the YG MR Regulator.

All the others housed a conventional escapement.

Best,
Nicolas.

For me, only the last photo shows up... ???

in a smaller and dressier (IMHO) case...great photos as always..

looking forward to seeing these at the Boutique...

central date is my favourite by far.  Gorgeous and in SS is a great buy for such outstanding quality.

Yours,

Andy.

But I like a lot the MGT line, too.

Delicious dilemma!

Best, my friend.

Nicolas.

How to feed our dreams!

 

 

The Platinum version for me, please!

 

 

Best, my friend

 

Blomman

Its a masterpiece whatever the size.

thanks Nic,

Best
Imran

Compared to the original. But would I prefer the 2010 version if only they would loose the lume on the hands? I think the shorter retrograde date and simpler dial looks better than the long but of course you loose the 2.timezone which is a very useful complication - so for mé that puts The 2010 and the 2011 versions even, but at the top.
I think there is so much GOOD to be said about this watch. It is super precise which makes me think that the tourbillon actually has a function, it has useful complications, and it is good looking. It comes at a VERY reasonable price that is accesible to us mortals.
BUT I'm not in love. Im thinking, should I ever want a tourbillon watch, then I would want it in a more playful setup than this watch. (Like a reversocase, for instance). To me, this is too much of a "business man watch", and what it has in elegance and usefullness it is lacking in distinct personality and playfulness.. My personal opinion, of course.

Nicolas, thank you for yet another great report. Your contribution is unparalleled, my friend

best

Christian

I have to admit that the Reverso Tourbillon is my favourite Tourbillon, all brands included, with the Gyro I or II.

But we're playing in another financial league.

These round Master Tourbillon, at least, are much more affordable.

They're a nice compromise between Reason and Passion, in my book.

Thanks for your valuable input, Christian.

Best,

Nicolas.

In addition to the changes you've already listed, another change between the Master Grande Tourbillon and the Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon is the tourbillon bridge design.  The Master Grande Tourbillon's tourbillon bridge is similar to the Master Tourbillon's (but not entirely the same), but the Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon's tourbillon bridge is similar to the one used in the Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon QP, except it does not extend beyond the tourbillon cut-out (and is not then screwed to the dial) like it is on the tourbillon QP.

Thanks for the write up.

 

Which one do you like the most?

The more discrete bridge on the MGT Tourbillons, or the larger bridge of the Master Tourbillons?

Best,

Nicolas.

It's probably just me, but for some reason the bridge on the Master Tourbillon looks ever so slightly slanting to the left (I'm sure it isn't).  It also looks a tad like the Vacheron Maltese Cross, but only half of it.

Then again, for my own personal reasons, I prefer the more traditional tourbillon bridge as seen on the Master Grande Tradition tourbillon QP.

Best regards

kkwn98

All I see is a frog which represent missing link.

Here is what I get instead of your photo.

I have been having this problem for a week now. I don't think is my computer problem.

Maybe the technical department should look into this.

Best
Tyler

Are you using firefox?

It is strange, indeed.

Will ask to the Tech Team if there is a special issue you should be aware of.

Thanks.

Nicolas.

No message body

No message body

..viewing it via an office ibm laptop

Many Companies installed a system to avoid looking at the pics on the net, for some rentability reasons...

Best, and Crooa.

The Frog.

Typical suit case of my local law enforcement authority. You like?

Have to keep going back and forth into your gallery to see photo of the watches. Damn those froggie foto ... ...

Best
Tyler

Keep these " things " away from me, please!

Best,

Darth Vlador, Prince of the Carpathians.

No message body

For many of your posts only IMO,

too bad cant see the picture, but I am happy reading the text only though,

I have experience this problem many times, either connection here is very slow

or you upload pics with different feature.

thank you and enjoy reading your posts.

best,

Eddy

I mean 2, 3 or 4 Mo.

So if you're connection is very slow, that may be an explanation.

Thanks for your nice words, though.

Best,

Nicolas.