2022 marks the 30 years of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control, launched in 1992 as a demonstration of the Maison’s commitment to the very highest levels of watchmaking excellence. The Master Control marked the beginning of the 1000 Hours Control system of internal quality standards at Jaeger-LeCoultre, a system subsequently incorporated throughout the full range of watches and which is now emblematic of the Maison’s fine watchmaking promise to its customers.
In full alignment with this unceasing commitment to timeless quality that maintains Jaeger-LeCoultre at the forefront of 21st-century horological craft, the Master Control collection has been enriched with two stainless steel models with sunray-finished dials in a refined shade of blue. All the essential codes of the Master Collection can be found in the Master Control Date and the Master Control Calendar. These include features such as the combination of applied Arabic numerals with faceted dart markers for the hours, faceted dauphine hour and minute hands, and bevelled case lugs that curve towards the strap attachment point. The slim case bezels bring an open feel to the 40mm cases, symbolic of the inherent versatility in this case diameter.
Legibility and readability are emphasised, using minute scales in a subtly contrasting lighter blue, with distinct minute divisions intercut with dot markers in Super-LumiNova® for an intuitive and precise indication of the time. With the Master Control Calendar, the jumping date indication makes a welcome reappearance. A slender date hand extends outwards from the centre of the dial, ending in a red- lacquered Jaeger-LeCoultre logograph that points towards the date on the outer periphery of the dial. For optimal reading of the dual-display moon phase and small seconds subdial, the date hand makes a 90° jump between the 15th and 16th day of each month. This ensures that the moon phase and small seconds subdial is never bisected by the date hand; a small yet effective detail that increases the design clarity of the Master Control Calendar.
To complete the overall harmonious aspect of these two new models, the date ring of the Master Control Date is also in blue, with white transferred Arabic numerals. The white-on-blue day and month indications of the Master Control Calendar provide similar aesthetic integration with the rest of the watch, with additional visual refinement found in the snailed finish of the small seconds subdial. The upper half of the subdial reveals the moonphase disc decorated with a star-studded background.
Both the Master Control Date and the Master Control Calendar come with matching blue straps in calf leather. The straps are trimmed in complementary blue stitching that continues across the strap attachment point for a touch of vintage allure. These straps have been fitted with a quick-change mechanism, allowing the wearer to easily switch between a range of straps for a completely different look.
Within these new models beats two Jaeger-LeCoultre in-house automatic movements. The calibre 899 of the Master Control Date and the calibre 866 of the Master Control Calendar have 70 hours of power reserve, bringing close to three days of running autonomy even when they are not being worn. Each model is limited to 800 pieces.
MASTER CONTROL DATE
Dimensions: 40mm x 8.78mm
Calibre: automatic mechanical Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 899AC
Functions: hours/minutes/seconds, date
Power reserve: 70 hours
Dial: deep blue sunray-brushed, light-blue minute track
Case: stainless steel
Case-back: open
Water resistance: 5 bar
Strap: Calf leather
Reference: Q4018480 –
Limited to 800 pieces
MASTER CONTROL CALENDAR
Dimensions: 40mm x 10.95mm
Calibre: automatic mechanical Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 866AA
Functions: hours/minutes/seconds, date, day, month, moon phases
Power reserve: 70 hours
Dial: deep blue sunray-brushed, light-blue minute track
Case: stainless steel
Case-back: open
Water resistance: 5 bar
Strap: Calf leather
Reference: Q4148480 –
Limited to 800 pieces