Amanico celebrates a decade with his Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Minute Repeater, reflecting on its enduring appeal and innovative design. His post delves into the unique characteristics that made this titanium version a dream acquisition, offering a long-term perspective on a significant haute horlogerie piece. This retrospective provides valuable insights for collectors considering high-complication watches and their lasting impact.
Time flies when you are having good time with someone or something.
The Master Minute Repeater was a dream. Unveiled in 2006, it was love at first sight for me.
I was impressed and seduced by the platinum version released one year before, but the titanium version was the one made for me.
I already wrote it, but I waved quite a bit between the platinum and the titanium version. At this level of price, you'd better be sure you are not going to make a mistake.
But ten years after, I find the platinum doesn't age like the titanium. This last one is still very modern with its spectacular open dial. It looked and still looks like a concept watch, and in fact, it is a bit the case.
What pleased me is this modern interpretation of a traditional and noble complication, on a cosmetic and mechanical side.
The open dial is spectacular. some will say that it is not very legible, but the main goal of this watch is to tell the time, rather than, visually, displaying it. And as I often say, our hobby / passion leads us to admire time, rather than " only " reading it.
The polished titanium grade 5 case is another great detail. I would have preferred a more elegant case, truth to be told, as I find its shape a bit outdated, compared to the Duometre, Master Grande Tradition, Geophysic or Master Ultra Thin cases, but the way the titanium is worked still impresses me. I wonder what other watch in the production has a polished titanium case, by the way.
It is a bit dark, but you cannot tell it is made of titanium. That's one of the owner's secret. And it has an impact on the weight, which is very light, and on the comfort, once the watch on the wrist. For a watch with such generous dimensions, it is important. Keep in mind that it is 44 mm big and circa 15 mm high...
On the mechanical side, the combination of a minute repeater, an unusually long power reserve ( 15 days ) and a torquemeter is unique, as well.
Another innovative solution lies in the fact that the gongs are welded to the sapphire glass, for a better dispersion of the minute repeater sound. This way, the minute repeater sounds louder AND is not too dependent of the case metal... Even if I noticed some differences between platinum, gold and titanium versions, the platinum sounding more matte, the gold sweeter, and the titanium higher, to give you an idea.
A freesh picture to celebrate its 10th birthday:
Two things which are not at the level of this watch, though:
- Jaeger Lecoultre should have treated the Master Minute Repeater in a more exclusive way. There were too many iterations of this reference: The platinum ( 200 pieces ) the titanium ( 200 pieces ), the rose gold 175th birthday ( 175 pieces ), the Titanium DLC ( 5 pieces ), Platinum for Sincere, with the titanium dial ( 8 pieces ), Platinum black open dial ( not limited ), for different retailers ( short batches, each time ), Enamel Grand Feu ( 50 pieces ), white gold ( 30 pieces ) and a few others...
Is this a good or a bad thing? From an owner's point of view, it depends of the moment you got your watch. Imagine you got it at the very beginning of this model life and that you think that you will have a quite exclusive model... You may not be very happy to see all these iterations coming each year. I am lucky to have gone for my favorite version. But what if I would have bought the platinum in 2005 and then seeing a version I prefer, coming later???
- I would have liked more care in the decoration of the movement, the Cal 947.
Yes, the ruthenium treatment of the movement is great, as well as the soleillé decoration, but on the back side, you mainly see the plate. And no generous bevels here.
You will tell me that the show is on the dial side, and you will be true. Seeing the hammers playing their partition is great. But still...
All in all, I am still in love with this watch, after 10 years of ownership. It is one of the most important piece from my collection which gives me an intense pleasure and price each time I have it on my wrist.
And you can guess that I wore and wear it quite a lot!
A minute repeater is something extraordinary, as a complication. This modern, young and crazy expression of this complication puts it on another level.
That is all the charm and the interest of a brand like Jaeger Lecoultre.
Best.
Nicolas
