amanico revisits the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Minute Repeater (2009), a reference he notes is often overlooked despite its significance. His detailed analysis focuses on its unique design elements and how its case evolution compares to later Master Grande Tradition models. This article offers a valuable perspective on a less-discussed, yet horologically important, JLC complication.
If there is a watch which is almost never discussed, the Master Grande Tradition Minute Repeater is certainly one of them.
Unveiled in 2009, 4 years after the Master Minute Repeater in platinum, it came as a surprise. And surprisingly, its case and dial didn't receive any variation the years after.
Yes, this is a " one of its kind ", in yellow gold, limited to 100 pieces, inaugurating the new Master Grande Tradition case and line.
So, we have a 44 mm case, and a good 15 mm thick, redesigned, but not for the better, to be honest. We had to wait till 2015 to have a much more elegant case, with slimmer lugs, and a more appealing profile.
The 2009 case:
The 2015 second generation case:Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication:
And, since last year, the new Master Grande Tradition case, inaugurated by the Gyrotourbillon Five and the Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar:
Here, the lugs are cumbersome, to say the least. I know, I may sound a bit harsh, here, but when we see the evolution from 2015, it is really obvious.
The details which make this watch unique are:
- The choice of yellow gold for the case, which we already mentioned. Duometre à Quantiéme Lunaire and Chronograph apart, there are not many other modern Jaeger Lecoultre with a yellow gold case.
- The design of the dial, the presence of a small seconds, and the hobnail / smooth parts.
- A minute Repeater associated to a Regulator: The hour and minute hands are not located in the same axis.
- The hand engraved bridge above the escapement wheel.
- Last but not least, the Cal 947R has a silicon escapement. No other Minute Repeater from Jaeger Lecoultre had one at that time. That's why Jaeger Lecoultre used a magnifier to better see it.
To tell you all, I would have loved to see this dial configuration in a white metal case from 2015 or 2019. And since we are at it, an enamel dial. Black, or White. I don't really care about the silicon escapement, personally.
What do you think?
Best,
Nicolas
