Amanico celebrates the return of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Calendar, tracing its evolution from the 1940s to the 2013 SIHH release. This post highlights JLC's enduring commitment to the triple calendar moonphase complication, showcasing how the brand has refined this classic design over decades.
The Triple Calendar Moonphase and the Grande Maison is a long love story.
In the Fourties, JLC made one of their nicest watch: A Triple Calendar which could also receive a moonphase.
Here, a wonderful Triple Calendar without moonphase, but with these delicious tear drop lugs, and one of the finest movement, manual winding, to be complete.
We had to wait the Eighties to see these Triple Date Moonphase back into the collection.
It started with the Odysseus Moonphase:
Then, JLC introduced a Master Date, in the early Nineties, wihich is, as you already got it, a Triple Date without moonphase.
The Master Moon came later, in the 2000 Catalog.
A beauty available in Rose Gold, Stainless Steel or in Platinum.
Here, the stainless steel version.
A pure jewel, with its very elegant dial, and its 37 mm case.
In 2006, things... Well, how to say it, didn't go in the right direction, aesthetically speaking.
The New Master Calendar received a much bigger case ( 40 mm ) and a power reserve indicator ala Nike Style which ruined the dial.
The Day and the Month window were decentered. The outcome was visually weird, as you can see here:
In this context, I am very happy to show you the new... Triple Calendar Moonphase, whose name is ... Master Calendar.
For the new Master Calendar, JLC opted for a 39 mm case borrowed to the Master Control we had the pleasure to rediscover in January 2012.
The 2012 Master Control:
The Master Calendar, which is available in Rose Gold, or in Stainless Steel.
If I had to sum it in a few words, I would write " Back to the Roots ".
The case, in my opinion, is more elegant than the previous one, even if if I preferred the 37 mm one. But it goes in the right direction.
And the dial finds its natural elegance again.
A very nice and elegant watch is back!
Here are the pictures I took of both the Rose Gold and the Stainless steel versions:
The movement is the Cal 866. Nothing really new, here, under the see through case back.
A last word on the annual calendar, as this complication was passionately discussed in 2012.
I asked to Stephane Belmont, who is in charge of the products developments, if one day, we'll see an annual calendar in a JLC watch.
The answer was negative, for the moment.
JLC seems t be very happy with their Perpetual and Triple Calendars. The Annual Calendar doesn't seem to be a priority.
Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts.
Best,
Nicolas
This message has been edited by amanico on 2013-04-01 02:50:24 This message has been edited by amanico on 2013-04-04 04:48:24 
