Jaeger-LeCoultre

Tim_M
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Pound for Pound...

... possibly the most impressive JLC debut at this year's SIHH. While I've declared my love for the MGTTCQP, I'll gladly admit that this black dialed Master Control accomplishes the greatest visual impact with the greatest economy of details. It's imposing, classical, and salient without trying too hard. There's real value in every sense.

I was fortunate enough to see this watch again on Sunday, and it stands out even within a boutique display rife with high complications. Each detail pops with high fidelity, and the mind reels wondering why black dial Masters are such an occasional event from JLC.

Nicolas, we're in agreement regarding the manufacture's need to revisit the Master line. But speaking solely for myself, I feel a great deal of this neglect has come to pass as a result of the manufacture's six-plus year focus on tribute watches. While charming as an occasional offer, the roll-out of retro watches has become an annual ritual, and it's been a long time since we've seen a sustained focus on truly inventive mainstream watches from JLC.

Indeed, the years when we witnessed entirely original Master Compressor, Diving, Amvox, XGT Reversos, Squadra, and Master watches (~2002-2009) in grouped debuts seems surprisingly distant. The focus has shifted dramatically from honoring the spirit of the past to replicating its image. Remember when the Extreme Lab 2 was launched with the initial moniker "Tribute to Geophysic?" In spirit, it was: an all-out technology showcase embodying the best of the current era.

That's not to say there has been no innovation here, but, to return to our black Master Control, I'm dismayed to see JLC's newly manic campaign regarding "Chronometry" fixated on 1958 rather than the 1992-present Master Control 1000 tradition. In almost every way, the Master Control's catalog-wide legacy ranks among the top defining features of JLC in 2015, and this black watch should be held in the same esteem as the Geophysic - or more. As a family, Master Control deserves more marketing attention to explain its relevance, investment - including new cases - and respect for what it's achieved. I hope this black watch sparks renewed interest in the series.

Best,
Tim