Yes Nicolas, I think I fell in love with this watch the moment I saw it on the JLC website. I considered the Master Hometime a year ago, but went for the RDM. I felt there was something missing in the new Hometime dial. But everything else was superb; 40 mm case, slightly smaller bezel, chunky but not to thick case. So IMO JLC did the absolute right thing to put the Chrono dial on the Hometime case.
Aha and yes I for one was dreaming of a sapphire caseback. Why? Not just for the fact that it is a nice finished movement or not. I don't consider the movements in the Master Control, or the Master Hometime very interesting. For me it counts if it is a sports watch or not. Do you want to go diving with it? Outdoor action? If the answer is no, then why not opt for a see through case back. I just like to see the heart of a watch beating. Superb finish is nice but not always necessary. So as far as I'm concerned they could have put sapphire on the back of the Chrono. Solid back? No problemo. This is a watch I would want for the dial anyway.
So is it on my list? Definitely Yes! But then again so are a lot more timepieces.... SS or RG then? I'm not a gold fan, but as I stated earlier for me JLC is one of the few brands that makes non flashy gold watches. For me SS please. I love the looks and of course the price makes a big difference too. € 7.900 is actually a bit more than I would have guessed if I compare it to the rest of the Master Control family, but then again I consider this bird an affordable Duometre (you are absolutely right about this comparison). Please Nicolas, post a few more pictures of the SS version of this beauty?
Thanks a lot for again a great post.
Best,
Starman
By the way, how do you compare it with the Omega from it's museum collection pictured here (picture taken from Omega Website)?