JAEGER-LECOULTRE Watches 2020 presented by Lionel Favre, Product Design Director

In the next 31 minutes Lionel Favre, Product Design Director of Jaeger-LeCoultre, will give some insights about the new Master Control collection he and his team designed.

MASTER CONTROL

In 2020, Jaeger-LeCoultre relaunches the collection, drawing inspiration from the classic round watches of the 1950s, such as the Futurematic, PowerMatic and Memovox models, and adding a dash of 21st-century flair.

Since it was introduced in 1992, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Master Control collection has been defined by technical rigor and stylistic restraint, its constant evolution imbued with the Maison’s deep respect for tradition and constant quest for innovation. Rather than paying homage to a single historic reference, Jaeger-LeCoultre presents a range of timepieces featuring some of its most emblematic complications. Designed for the urban sophisticate, every element of the Master Control line has been restyled. Jaeger- LeCoultre’s designers have harnessed and modernized the Maison’s classical design codes to create a refined yet entirely contemporary aesthetic that highlights the collection’s complications.

When launched in 1992, the Master Control line was the first of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s collections to benefit from its pioneering ‘1000 Hours Control’ certification – which inspired the collection’s name. A demanding process that tests the entire cased-up watch (not just its movement), it set a new benchmark when introduced and has continually evolved in response to technological advances, to remain one of the watch industry’s most stringent testing protocols.
Naturally, with this background and the Maison’s long history of technical innovation, the relaunch of Master Control is not simply a stylistic exercise. The Manufacture’s engineers have comprehensively revised and updated all of the movements, increasing power reserves to as much as 70 hours and enhancing overall performance and reliability. Like all Jaeger-LeCoultre timepieces, the Master Control watches carry an 8-year warranty in addition to the 1,000 Hours Control certification.

With its 40-millimetre diameter, outwardly sloping bezel and dynamically curved lugs, the new Master Control case exudes a relaxed and understated elegance – timeless yet absolutely contemporary. 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 to reveal the finely finished and decorated movements.
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. The applied indexes add refinement, their elongated triangular shape echoed by the Dauphine hands. Uniting the collection, sunray brushing animates the silvery-white background color, a blue central seconds hand adds a subtle pop of color and, according to the model, blued subdial hands further accentuate the complications.

Master Control Date 5800 Euro excluding VAT
Master Control Calendar 9500 Euro excluding VAT
Master Control Geographic 10.500 Euro excluding VAT
Master Control Chronograph Calendar 12.500 Euro excluding VAT

With the goal of improving reliability, power reserve and long-term performance, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s engineers have comprehensively revised and re-engineered Calibre 899, the high-performing pillar of the Master Control collection. The improvements, which have been incorporated into the entire range of Master Control calibres, include a silicon escapement, a redesigned barrel and various energy-saving enhancements.

Also the straps have been re-worked for the new collection. To complement the timeless informality of the steel cases, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s designers have chosen the soft, matt finish of Novonappa calf leather in tan. Produced by the finest tannery in France, through a vegetable-based tanning process that retains the natural variations of the hides, Novonappa gains a distinctive patina over time. 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.

MASTER GRANDE TRADITION GRANDE COMPLICATION

As the latest addition to this series, the new Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication harnesses more than a century and a half of accumulated expertise. This masterpiece of mechanical engineering incorporates two of the most romantic yet technically challenging complications in horology – a minute repeater and a celestial vault. The complex mechanism is further elevated by an orbital flying tourbillon. This limited edition of eight pieces each in rose gold and in white gold features a new aesthetic that reaffirms Jaeger- LeCoultre’s mastery of the artistic crafts.

Master Grande Tradition 340.000 Euro excluding VAT