Comments:
The 38 x 8.4 mm case has a perfect size and fit on the wrist (at least on my 16 cm wrist).
The bracelet design is original and much better looking than the photos can show.
What are your thoughts on this watch in particular and on this new line in general?
A very nice surprise
When I picked up my grandfather's watch, I was able to try on the new Master Control Chronometer.
And the Date version ref. Q4158120 was a very pleasant surprise.
The blue-grey gradient sunray dial is simply wonderful. And the date window with matching date disc is very well executed.
The 38 x 8.4 mm case has a perfect size and fit on the wrist (at least on my 16 cm wrist).
The bracelet design is original and much better looking than the photos can show.
It features intermediate links in the shape of triangular prisms featuring angles which are echoed on the outer part of the links and which draw inspiration from the form of the slim Dauphine hands and the matching, faceted shape of the applied indexes.
Only drawback: no micro-adjustment system is featured (but I know from experience with my Alpine Eagle that it's not necessarily a problem).
The 8,4 mm thickness makes the watch a pleasure to wear: it really blends into the wrist.
And the new “HPG” caliber 899 is much more pleasant to look at than the previous versions of it.
“HPG” stands for “High Precision Guarantee” and was featured on some watches from the 1970s, especially some equipped with caliber 916, like this Memovox “Egg”:
credit: Analo Shift
But this “High Precision Guarantee” is now revived as the new “Jaeger-LeCoultre Seal”, which evaluates performance against four critical elements of daily wear: altitude, shocks, positions, and temperature.
Previous 899 Caliber
credit: Monochrome, Deployant & Jaeger-LeCoultre
But apart from this size drawback it is still a very nice watch.
Side by side, the Date Power Reserve might look a little more eye-catching, my preference for the Date only version remained: simpler, slimmer, better (for me).
Finally, I also tried on the Perpetual Calendar in Pink Gold ref. Q417216J, with its bronze-coloured sunray dial and hammered gold leaf moon.
The case has the same 39 x 9.2 mm size as the Date Power Reserve.
Only drawback: no micro-adjustment system is featured (but I know from experience with my Alpine Eagle that it's not necessarily a problem).
The 8,4 mm thickness makes the watch a pleasure to wear: it really blends into the wrist.
And the new “HPG” caliber 899 is much more pleasant to look at than the previous versions of it.
“HPG” stands for “High Precision Guarantee” and was featured on some watches from the 1970s, especially some equipped with caliber 916, like this Memovox “Egg”:
credit: Analo Shift
But this “High Precision Guarantee” is now revived as the new “Jaeger-LeCoultre Seal”, which evaluates performance against four critical elements of daily wear: altitude, shocks, positions, and temperature.
It also implies aesthetic improvements as the caliber 899 has been refined: the balance cock, in particular, has been thinned down, as you can see from the photos below (if you want to learn more about HPG, read the press release here).
New HPG 899 Caliber
Previous 899 Caliber
credit: Monochrome, Deployant & Jaeger-LeCoultre
I was also able to try on the steel Date Power Reserve version ref. Q4168120.
Although it is very nice looking in its own right, the 39 x 9.2 mm size didn't look and feel as nice on my wrist.
But apart from this size drawback it is still a very nice watch.
Side by side, the Date Power Reserve might look a little more eye-catching, my preference for the Date only version remained: simpler, slimmer, better (for me).
Finally, I also tried on the Perpetual Calendar in Pink Gold ref. Q417216J, with its bronze-coloured sunray dial and hammered gold leaf moon.
The case has the same 39 x 9.2 mm size as the Date Power Reserve.
And the dial is too busy for me, with a two-part digital year display and a “critical” zone indicator just above the canon pinion, which I don't like very much.
In conclusion, the steel Date Master Control Chronometer is a very appealing watch and a clear winner for me among the other models of the line.
In conclusion, the steel Date Master Control Chronometer is a very appealing watch and a clear winner for me among the other models of the line.
However, the lack of a screw-down crown and the limited water resistance to 50 m are a problematic choice for those who, like me, wear this type of watch mainly in the summer (otherwise, I could be tempted)...
What are your thoughts on this watch in particular and on this new line in general?
Thanks for reading.
Best, Emmanuel
Very lovely looking watches and bracelets
The prices are relatively now, but I’m sure will make a good purchase on the secondary market. I’m hoping to purchase something next year and JLC certainly on the radar.
Yes, they've really created a very appealing watch with this MCC Date.
I was surprised to like it so much!
Best, Emmanuel
Best, Emmanuel
Excellent overview.
There are elements on these that I do like quite a bit, but also elements which I am not fond of at all.... Given the saturation in the market for this type of timepiece, my preference still firmly lies with VC and the Overseas line in particular. So many brilliant options, some of which with unsurpassed durability thresholds - primarily referencing water resistance ratings, but also the inherent ruggedness of the Overseas case design. I have a visit scheduled to the local VC boutique this Monday, let's see what my first impressions are........ Thank you Emmanuel for taking the time to share this pictorial with us, cheers, Filip
Thank you, Filip!
I completely understand your preference for the Overseas, especially considering the WR and ruggedness.
But from a design perspective the MCC Date is absolutely wonderful and I prefer it over any Overseas, personally.
Keep us posted when your VC visit is over!
Best, Emmanuel
But from a design perspective the MCC Date is absolutely wonderful and I prefer it over any Overseas, personally.
Keep us posted when your VC visit is over!
Best, Emmanuel
Thanks for this great review!
This is a watch that I certainly want to see in real.
As far as I know there is a similar to the Overseas micro-adjust system on the bracelet .
As far as I know there is a similar to the Overseas micro-adjust system on the bracelet .
Thank you, Gerard !
There was no micro adjustment system on the example I tried and the sales person confirmed that there wasn’t one… Is it a feature which will be present on the final product which shouldn’t be delivered before early September ?
Best, Emmanuel
Best, Emmanuel
Thank you for the great post, Emmanuel!
I, two, liked the three-hander version the best aesthetically, and this was the version I ended up ordering. I think this is a very elegant and successful watch.
Great! You did so well to order this MCC Date:
it is incredibly appealing !
I was told that the watches ordered until May would/should be delivered in September. Those ordered later will/should be delivered at the beginning of 2027.
Best, Emmanuel
I was told that the watches ordered until May would/should be delivered in September. Those ordered later will/should be delivered at the beginning of 2027.
Best, Emmanuel
A shame they didn't push deeper into sports territory
A 10-15atm WR would have put them in a very unique position.
I agree, but they don’t consider this watch
a sport watch, contrarily to the Polaris…
Best, Emmanuel
Best, Emmanuel
The new Master Control Date is one of the best releases in the last couple of years! 🚀😍
The details - and with this type of watch, it’s all about the details - are just so well executed! 👏🏻
Well, I have to agree, even if I wasn’t expecting
to like the MCC Date as much as I did!
Best, Emmanuel
Best, Emmanuel
I hope you get to see them soon as
the MCC Date is really appealing in the metal much more than on photos.
Best, Emmanuel
Best, Emmanuel
Thanks so much for your pictures and review, Emmanuel 👍🏻🙏🏻
Not having seen them live makes any opinion preliminary but given that you asked for thoughts…
First of all, strategically I find JLC is mighty late to the party, coming possibly at the tail end of the trend. That is clearly unfortunate.
As for the watch you are the first one that I have seen really showcase the more appealing elements. If it was under 7mm - something JLC could pull off easily with their expertise (also in slim movements) - it would be in a much more unique position but the proportions seem to be good overall. Where the late entry to the market is an issue is that expectations are somewhat set already and here the JLC might not fully deliver, as you say. The low WR (might suffice but they could easily up it to where no one questions the adequacy), the lack of micro adjustment on the bracelet, the lack of a quick change mechanism between bracelet and straps… these are what one would hope JLC sweats just as well like its sister brands.
But I am sure that anyone getting one will get a decent, relatively timeless watch that should do good service for many years.
I was told by the JLC rep at the exhibition
that the micro-adjustment will be included when the watch is first released to customers in September 2026.
This would be a major improvement of course.
Even if there is no micro adjustment system on my Alpine Eagle and it has never been a problem for me…
When it fits it’s hardly a deal breaker…
But for an integrated bracelet watch it is a standard requirement nowadays to accommodate as many wrist shapes and sizes comfortably, as possible 😊🤷🏻♂️
Thank you for sharing your thoughts !
I must say that I agree with everything you say, except that the hands-on experience with the MCC Date is really appealing. And, as the price is fairly reasonable, some criticisms become somewhat minor. At least for me.
JLC is indeed late to the party, but they’ve manage to design a watch which does not try to imitate any of the predecessors and the final result is just as beautiful as it is understated.
That said, the lack of true WR and screw-down crown, as well as of micro-adjustment are real shortcomings…
Best, Emmanuel
JLC is indeed late to the party, but they’ve manage to design a watch which does not try to imitate any of the predecessors and the final result is just as beautiful as it is understated.
That said, the lack of true WR and screw-down crown, as well as of micro-adjustment are real shortcomings…
Best, Emmanuel
The mild references to the Futurematic are a deft touch 👍🏻
But there is very little ‘Future’ in the watch - as nice as it might be it does not move the goalposts of the industry 😊🤷🏻♂️
Here again, I can only agree.
But in person the MCC Date is really appealing and even more than the Futurematic-inspired MCC Date Power Reserve…
Thanks for the great photos and insights, Emmanuel. The watches look great on your wrist.
The steel models look very nice. I would like to see the steel perpetual as well - personally I don't mind busy dials.
I like the pattern on the bracelet. Certainly it looks unique and not just another Oyster copy.
All the best,
Jon
I like the pattern on the bracelet. Certainly it looks unique and not just another Oyster copy.
All the best,
Jon
Indeed, Jon, seeing these watches in person
makes a great difference. They’re about understatement, refinement and “simplexity” so nothing the photos can faithfully render.
I hope you get to see them soon.
Best, Emmanuel
I hope you get to see them soon.
Best, Emmanuel
They may have one key factor going for them
compared to other pieces mentioned in the thread: obtainability. The date model is rose/pink looks very nice to my eye, I'm hoping to see one at my AD.
Obtainability, yes, and beautiful design.
The Dare model is as appealing as it it understated.
Best, Emmanuel
Best, Emmanuel
Congratulations on getting your Grandfather's watch back 😊👍, The Master Date is the type of watch a Hitman would wear...
I like it 😊, I think will look Stunning in a Black Dial, or a 70s inspired Caramel Brown Dial 😍