Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Minute Repeater Review

ED209 · 2012-09-27T21:18:29Z

Explore the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Minute Repeater, featuring a 15-day power reserve, crystal gong, and stunning skeletonized dial in titanium or pink gold.

ED209

WPS member · Jaeger-LeCoultre forum

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ED209's 2012 post offers a detailed look at the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Minute Repeater, sharing personal impressions and technical specifications. The author highlights the watch's unique crystal gong technology, impressive 15-day power reserve, and the visually striking skeletonized dial.

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Just wanted to share a few pics of the JLC Master Minute Repeater.

Jaeger LeCoultre's Master Control collection is made of elegant and classically shaped watches. It spans from clean lines and simplicity with the Master Ultra Thin all the way to complicated movements such as the Master Tourbillon. And within this collection is another complication, the Master Minute Repeater. My first experience with the JLC Master Minute Repeater was the titanium version, and sure enough it was on the wrist of amanico when I first met him in Paris with several other PuristS back in 2008. i was impressed by how loud the chiming was on his titanium JLC. I had a chance to see the new version during a recent visit to the local Jaeger LeCoultre boutique.

First launched in 2005, the JLC caliber 947 movement consists of 413 parts and is 8.95mm in height and 34.7mm in diameter. The hand wind minute repeater movement has an impressive 15 day power reserve. During my conversation with the JLC representatives, the 947 movement has shorter gearing which helps with reduced amount of times to wind the watch. Currently the JLC MMR is available as a limited production of 200 pieces in grade 5 titanium and only 175 pieces in 18 carat pink gold.

The sound generated by the JLC minute repeater is unique due to the special crystal gong that is fixed to the crystal. The gong heel is welded to the sapphire crystal to increase the intensity and purity of the sound. The crystal gong itself is made of super secret proprietary material. According to specifications, the watch produces a chiming sound of 64 decibels which is impressively loud compared to most repeaters. During my visit to the boutique, there was a large crowd but even with all the noise I could clearly and distinctly hear the sound of the chiming of the minute repeater.
One of the things I noticed when activating the repeater slide lever is that the action felt long and rather firm. I was very careful when using the lever so that I don't accidentally pull half way and risk damaging the complicated movement.

Here's a few pictures from the dial side. I love the skeletonized dial layout of the JLC Master Minute Repeater. The concentric center dial displays the hour and minutes with a golden circular ring. At the 8 o'clock corner of the dial is a retrograde display of the 15 day power reserve, while the 5 o'clock subdial shows the retrograde display of the barrel torque. The two minute repeater hammers can be seen through the skeletonized dial opening at the 4 o'clock position.

It's somewhat difficult to tell from my poor pictures, but in person the skeletonized dial is visually striking. It has a three dimensional depth to it. The skeletonized subdials have a beautiful alternating brushed top area and polished side bevels. The dauphine hands are matching gold colored and are also skeletonized.

The case is rather large at 44m in diameter with a thickness of 15.6mm in 18k pink gold.

Here's another picture of the transparent caseback. Most of the space is taken up by the two barrels. I personally would have preferred a larger balance wheel for cosmetic reasons, but the benefit of a smaller balance is that it uses less power and provides a longer power reserve. I love the sunburst pattern on the plate.

The pink gold version looks great, but somehow I still like the overall montone colors of the titanium version.

Regards,
ED-209

Key Points from the Discussion

The author's initial experience with the JLC Master Minute Repeater was with the titanium version on amanico's wrist in Paris, noting its impressive chiming volume.
The JLC caliber 947 movement features shorter gearing to reduce winding frequency and boasts a 15-day power reserve, with limited production of 200 pieces in titanium and 175 in pink gold.
The Master Minute Repeater's unique crystal gong, welded to the sapphire crystal, produces a loud 64-decibel chime, clearly audible even in a crowded boutique.
The skeletonized dial of the Master Minute Repeater offers a three-dimensional depth, showcasing a retrograde 15-day power reserve at 8 o'clock and barrel torque at 5 o'clock, with visible minute repeater hammers.
There was some confusion regarding the exact model name, with the boutique representative calling it the MMR while the website listed MGTMR, though the watches are very similar.
The Master Minute Repeater's dial is preferred over the Grande Tradition's, despite a slight preference for the Grande Tradition's case design.

The Discussion

DRMW

Sep 27, 2012

I remember seeing the MMR at the JLC BHB boutique and it was amazing. Just like you said the dial has a fascinating depth to it and you can stare at it all day and admire the details. Have to agree with you about the titanium, it was cool to hear it on Amanico's wrist in Paris. Thanks for the review. -MW

amanico

Sep 27, 2012

Not hte Master Minute Repeater. We discussed this point, recently, with Mo, and even if I slightly prefer the case of the Grande Tradition, I much prefer trhe dial of the MMR. Here is a picture of the MGT MR, which is damn hard to take in photo, I agree. Thanks for your report, my friend. Nicolas

ED209

Sep 28, 2012

HI amanico, The name of this watch was under discussion and there was confusion on which one it is. Rep said it was MMR, website has MGTMR. I was under the impression that the MGTMR has the solid dial with a seconds' subdial at the 6 o'clock position. Anyway, whatever the name it's a cool looking watch. Regards, ED-209

amanico

Sep 28, 2012

But it is so colse to the MMR than the Rep can be confused. ;) Best, Nicolas

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