Jaeger-LeCoultre: Master Control Collection 2020

Since it was introduced in 1992, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Master Control collection has been defined by technical rigour and stylistic restraint. This year, La Maison relaunches the collection, drawing inspiration from the classic round watches of the 1950s, such as the Futurematic, the PowerMatic and the Memovox.

Rather than paying homage to a single historic reference, Jaeger-LeCoultre presents a range of four timepieces featuring some of its most emblematic complications.

With its 40 mm diameter, outwardly sloping bezel and curved lugs, the new Master Control case exudes a relaxed and understated elegance. Satin-brushing on the case-sides is complemented by the polished bezel, crowns and lugs. Refined details abound, including bas-relief engravings on the back bezel and a sapphire crystal case-back.

On the dials, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s designers have reinterpreted the Maison’s classical codes in a streamlined and modern style, in order to highlight each model’s complications. Applied triangular indexes, Dauphine hands, silver sunray finish dial and blue central seconds hand according to the model. 

MASTER CONTROL DATE 

The Master Control Date anchors the new collection with the latest-generation Calibre 899.

Updated to incorporate the latest performance-enhancing technology, it features a new escapement and pallets made of silicon to minimise friction and thus consume less energy. In order to increase the power reserve to 70 hours, the barrel was redesigned to accommodate a stronger and longer mainspring without increasing the height of the movement. Thanks to the slim movement (just 3.3 mm), the 40 mm steel case of the Master Control Date has a thickness of just 8.78 mm. (Price € 7.100)

MASTER CONTROL CALENDAR 

In the 1940s and ’50s Jaeger-LeCoultre was renowned for its triple calendar moon-phase movements, and the new Master Control Calendar brings that tradition into the 21st century.

The new model shows the dates around the periphery, indicated by a red-tipped hand, the days and months displayed in the upper part of the dial, and the moon-phase set within the small seconds subdial in the lower part. But there is a fresh new twist to the date display: as well as updating Calibre 866 with the same performance-enhancing improvements made to cal.899, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s engineers have added a delightful new jumping complication. Every month, the date hand makes a 90-degree leap from the 15th to the 16th, in order not to obscure the moon-phase display. (Price € 11.600) – Available also in Le Grand Rose Gold 

MASTER CONTROL CHRONOGRAPH CALENDAR 

The headline model of the new Master Control collection features a newly developed movement, Calibre 759, which combines a chronograph with a triple calendar display and a moon-phase. The new Calibre 759 features a column-wheel chronograph with a vertical clutch, a moon-phase indicator, and a 65-hour power reserve.

The 30-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock is balanced by the running seconds subdial at 9 o’clock, while the day and month windows in the top part of dial are balanced by the moon-phase and date indicator at 6 o’clock. The entire display is anchored by the central chronograph seconds hand and contained by the pulsometric scale marked around the dial flange. (Price € 15.300) – Available also in Le Grand Rose gold

MASTER CONTROL GEOGRAPHIC 

The geographic travel watch has been a feature of the Master Control collection since 1990. This model, in addition to indicating a second time zone, has a 24-hour night/day indicator and, in an aperture at the bottom of the dial, displays the city name relating to the zone. This gives travellers the option of setting the second time by location, rather than needing to calculate the time difference. The dial adheres to the familiar Geographic layout, with time-zone displays balanced by a date subdial and a power reserve indicator, and heat-blued steel hands adding a pop of colour to enhance legibility. 

The new-generation Calibre 939 increases the power reserve of the Master Control Geographic to 70 hours. (Price € 11.500) Available also in Le Grand Rose Gold.

The look of the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control is completed by a brown Novonappa calf leather strapproduced in france through a vegetable-based tanning process that retains the natural variations of the hides. Thanks to a Presto Spring lug attachment and a simple clip for removing and refitting the deployant buckle, the Novonappa straps can be quickly changed, without the need for any tool.

Like all Jaeger-LeCoultre timepieces, the Master Control watches carry an 8-year warranty in addition to the 1,000 Hours Control certification which provides complete tests on the entire cased-up watch and not only on the movement.