anaesdoc
1772
"Change does not necessarily mean improvement"
Salut Nicolas,
this old saying came to my mind when reading your entertaining and insightful post on the Master Control models by JLC.
When looking at its ancestor - the Chronometre Geomatic - I felt this way: these "old" watches are timeless in their beauty and I like them better than the current models. What for?
1. Case size is smaller (about 36 mm), 40 mm are too much IMO for a dress watch - well, someone might disagree here, but I feel that way.
2. Bezel is smaller, giving the watch a less heavy/chunky character.
3. They made the effort to give the Geomatic an applied logo which is a very nice dial detail.
4. As much as I like blued hands I find them disturbing in the MC, at least in the gold cases, SS cases are ok.
I am not qualified to comment on the movements, although the K 881 really pleases the eyes of the layman more than the new calibers, but that´s again a pure aesthetic and not a functional difference.
Why do they not build these ancient watches anymore? And if yes, why do they sell them as "TT" editions at terrifying prices?
The dinosaur,
anaesdoc
The Master Control: A pleasure for Connoisseur?
The Master Control is an underated watch. Check the posts on line: Since when didn't we speak about it? The complications, friendly and / or sophisticated are invading the foras, but what about the Master Control? Nothing, or almost! To be true, there is ...
Epitome.. I like that .. Not more, not less ! :)
The epitome of the simple, perfect round watch ". I guess, "you need no say no more", what a nice derivative and heir to its valued ancestors, of whom those amazing Geomatics are a special treat .. Timeless design, just a watch with a date; but what a wat...
The interesting thing wsith JLC is this permanent link between Past and Present.
The MC, after the MGT, perpetuates this tradition. A nice, sober, discrete watch with some Chronometric virtues. What else, indeed? Thanks for your input, my friend. I wish you a good hunt in finding YOUR Geomatic! Nicolas. This message has been edited by...
Let the Force be with me .. Always nice to hope :))
.. for the coincidence, the moment and possible hints here and there, maybe .. So I'll try to be patient, A bit .. and enjoy my little other treasures meanwhile, hoping for a nice future ( my recent beloved encounter, the f..matic will help, I trust .. --...
Suggestion
There was a post the other day of someone looking for a suggestion to purchase his first high end or tending towards the high end watch. The Master Control is the watch that I was thinking of telling that person to look at. I hope that he reads your post ...
A watch for Connoisseur, George.
For a watch lover who is far from Hype. But, as others stated, I do hope to see JLC working on the case and bezel of which could well be a new Master Control. Best, George. Nicolas.
thank you for such an educational post
In particular, I find the fact that likes of VC and AP had a JLC's calibre beating in them interesting. Cheers.
That is another important detail, ijl, which reminds us that ...
JLC was the Watchmaker's watchmakers. Best, Nicolas.
A true Connoisseur watch! :)
Thank you for a great report, Nicolas! A watch that has it all, but in the same time looks like it has “nothing”… I really like the new black dial, but I still prefer the thinner bezel on the old model. And of course the Gold medallion on the back! Again,...
Hey Blomman...
Had to change the plexy on the Geomatic, of course, as it comes without plexy. Now, I have if for some 8 or 9 months...One of these hidden treasures of mine. As for the Master Control, yes, it can be summed with this phrase: " It has all, and nothing at t...
I always wanted to like the MC more.... but
The previous model was too petite, in the way it wore and felt... The current model somehow leaves me indifferent, even while I say, very nice watch... the overall composition of the previous model was probably better... I think JLC will probably get it r...
Agree with you, and, like you, I'm waiting for an improvement in the case design.
Then, it may well be a watch to get! Best, Nicolas. This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-07-19 01:46:51
I definitely preferred the proportions on the...
Master Grande Taille (as well as the Master Classique - for the Asian market=34mm). The bezel, case and dial were all perfectly proportionate - a detail I feel is lacking in the '06+ version. The MGUT (especially in 18ktR w/black dial) comes back to a bet...
A MUT or MGUT, with a soft iron inner core, a sober dial...
That would by MY Master Control. Interesting thoughts, Dean. Funnily, at the exception of the date, the MGUT can be seen as a modern interpretation of the Geomatic. Let's wish that JLC will rework the case of the current Master Control, YES! Best, Nicolas...
Evolution
Many thanks for the great report on a very nice watch! Maybe due to its subtleness and understatement the Master Control gets 'overseen' by too many. Also thanks for posting a photo of the WG version, although you're rubbing my pain nicely in ;o) just som...
I would love to see a 39 mm case for the new Master Control.
After all the current model is already almost 6 years old, and it may be time for some aesthetical improvements, in my opinion. A tad smaller case, thinner, too, with slender lugs, and slimmer bezel, for example. That is very colse to the Master Grande MU...
That would be my choice, too!
It must be in the pipeline somewhere...the simple, center-seconds automatic with date. I hope that the recent "ultra-thin" automatic has not upended this quest. Best, ken
That is my fear, too.
That this kind of new Master Control would be seen as a too close competitor of the MGUT... I'm sure JLC will find the solution to what can be considered as a dilemma. Best, Nicolas.
"Change does not necessarily mean improvement"
Salut Nicolas, this old saying came to my mind when reading your entertaining and insightful post on the Master Control models by JLC. When looking at its ancestor - the Chronometre Geomatic - I felt this way: these "old" watches are timeless in their bea...
And the awesome lugs anaesdoc !
g Thanks for this review Nicolas ! Best Patrice, another dinosaur...
Hi, Dinosaur...
I see many of your points, my friend, as valuable. If you see the evolution at JLC since the very beginning of years 2000, I think we can agree that they are on the very good way. The cases improved, the size is not always big, there is an undisputable co...
Very kind of you Nicolas ...
for not declaring people like me to be doomed to become extinct. As you wrote, JLC is definitely one of those brands that dinosaurs will look at in the first place . Kind regards, anaesdoc
Great post, Nic
The MC is most definitely an underrated model. I love it. Thanks for posting.
thx for illustrating its descent
had never known how significant it is to the collection..... J
It seemed important, to me, to put it in relation with the Geomatic, indeed.
How could we get the virtue of a Master Control without speaking about the Master Control? It looks impossible, to me. Best, Nicolas.
I've been waiting for this post a long time...
and it's a very impressive post, Nico. watches like these are appreciated in silence as that is what they are, quiet workhorses that were not meant for the spotlight. i love these pieces but sadly, they're not sexy enough to be talked about at length vis-...
A pleasure, for sure.
Great report of the "unknown soldier". Roots at its best. Love the Boutique edition. Never seen that before. Thanks Nico, I've enjoyed the reading. Vte
I love these simple pieces
because doing the simple things right is often much more demanding than diving deep into the complicated ones. Maybe that is because with the simple things it is much easier to find any flaw? How hard is it to create a really good espresso shot! Best, Mar...
Agreed, Martin. Simple is not always simpler, and never simplist.
Baxk to the roots, to the fundamentals... Accuracy and reliability first, then complications. Some details can be updated, but the fundamentals are here, IMO. Best, my friend. Nicolas.
totally right, very underrated!
thats the feeling i get with their master control series! understated, subtle, the gentleman's choice. no bling and all that
completely underrated..
the Master Control gets lost in all the complications that JLC makes so expertly...but sometimes the simple and elegant wins out... Nice one Nico..
To me, it is an important part of the JLC family.
The first member of the family. MC > Ultra Thin > RDM > Memovox > Triple Date > Geographique > Chronograph... Not necessqarily in this order, as I don't know where to put the Ultra Thins.... Before or after the Master Control? Before, as there is no date,...
Indeed a watch for connoisseur....
What is in the MC for a layman to appreciate? Thanks Nico for a very pleasant read again. IMHO it takes more to give a writeup for a simple watch too. Best to you my friend. Ed
Thanks a lot for your words, Edwards.
I didn't really put more time to write about this watch, as I already had this historical link in my head, and it was something I wanted to do for a long time. But I felt it was time to do so, and to give it the place it deserves. Best, my friend. Nicolas...
others to consider
i would like to bring to your attention the other range of jlc using the calibre 889 family in the mid 80's and 90,s that can be classed as predessors of the master control,master grande taille etc in my opinion these being the heraion with date,centre se...
You're more than welcome, Golden Hands.
And you are absolutely right. I took a shorter, more direct way, but I could have also spoken about these " intemrediary " models, which were the first to use the 889 and its iterations. I love your answer, but I wouldn't compare the MUT and the MC... Eac...
the master control is a modern legend
Great post Amanico If there has to be a classiest and timeless dress watch, the the master control wins this category by a mile. 50's design, quality and craftsmanship of the movement, soberty and understated elegance makes of this jlc line one of the ver...
Well, Georges, the Reverso is an iconic watch... While the Master Control has...
A strong and obvious link with the Past, but it couldn't, IMO, be considered as an Icon... For the moment. The Geomatic is also a cool watch, but it is not an Icon, either. The Geophysic is. Actually, I agree on the succes d'estime you give to this watch,...
from Geomatic, MGT to MC...
... can see the improvement and evolution from Geomatic to MGT to MC, from outside dial and inside movement and even the testing standard... this series can claim to be forever young model which something like another JLC counterpart - Reverso! for the la...
Evolution, not Revolution.
Mechanicaly and aesthetically, of course, even if I still wait some aesthetical improvements. Geophysic, Geomatic, that would do a great pair, don't you think? Best, Nicolas.
Great Post
Wonderfully written and expressed about an underrated watch I have always admired. Thank You for this.
Thank YOU, Bill, for your nice words.
I felt I had to try to give justice to a watch we never speak about. Are wo so used to see complicated watches that we neglect simplicity? Best, Nicolas.
Stunning Nicolas
Thanks for sharing. It is a stunning watch. Simple but nicely finished and the detail is top class. I always fond of simplicty vs complicated.... my personal preference. Somehow whenever I see this JLC, it always remind me to Grand Seiko or Credor line......
Will try to work on some simple JLC watches, one of these days.
There are some nice treasures to be better known Thanks, Sherwin. Best, Nicolas.
Thank you for an awesome post .
That was very informative and entertaining. Learning about watches is fun,and you always help me with that. Thank you! Cheers SamEE