Jaeger-LeCoultre

The Master Contrrol is dead, long life to the Master Control!

Don't under estimate it, behind its apparent simplicity and sobriety, the Master Control, which was also called Master Grande Taille, is a symbol.

The Master Control is the first watch from Jaeger-Lecoultre which was submitted to the Master 1000 Hours Control tests, since 1992.

At the contrary of the COSC, the 1000 Hours program includes testing of all finished and cased up watches, with hands and dial, under 6 positions, several temperatures, pressures of 5 ATM, in magnetic fields, and calculated shocks.

The acceptable accuracy is depending on the level of complication of the watch, from -1 + 6 to - 8 + 14 seconds per day.

In the case of the Master Control, the watch has to reach the accuracy of - 1 to + 6 seconds per day, which is more demanding than the COSC specifications.

So, yes, we can call it a Chronometer, and, if we refer to the rich history of the Grande Maison, we can also consider it as the dign heir of the ... Geomatic, not only in the spirit, but also in the aesthetics.

The famous Geomatic:



The first Master Control, also called Master Grande Taille ( 1992 ) :





In 2006, the Master Grande Taille was replaced by the Master Control:





With this Master Control, some changes appeared, such as a sapphire case back ( the MGT had a solid case back bearing the Master Control Logo, as shown on the picture above ), and most important, a bigger case ( 40 mm instead of 37 mm ) and a larger bezel.

The dial of the 2006 version knew some evolutions, too. While the 1992 watch had the JL signature at 12 and the word " automatique " at 6, the heir had a more sober presentation, without the word " automatique " at 6.

Now, many of us regretted the smaller case and the thinner bezel of the first model.

So, you will be pleased to hear that JLC heard us!

Nothing new under the case back, as the Cal 899 is still here, an automatic movement with a unidirectional rotor, with the outer part of its oscillating weight in 22 Ct Gold, receiving the ceramic ball bearings, whose diameter is 26, 6 mm and 3, 30 mm thick.

It allows an autonomy of 43 hours.

The previous Calibre 889:





The current Cal 899:



No, the real new thing is only on the cosmetic field, with this new case, 1 mm smaller ( 39 mm ), 8, 5 mm high, more elegant than the former version, with its slimmer bezel.

It also seems that the crown is a tad thinner, too.

Here are the pictures:



The more elegant case whose lugs are better profiled, in my opinion:



The case back is see through.



The dial didn't change, still underated, sober, pure, without too much wording. I never got the reason which led JLC to write " Automatic " on the Master Grande Taille, by the way.

It looks much better like this, to me.



I would even say that with this new case, the Master Control can now be considered as the dign heir of the Geomatic!



It is also available in rose gold.

Here are some pictures of the gold version:





Gold or steel?



I love the coldness of the steel version, personally.

Looking forward to reading your comments,

Best.

Nicolas. This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-02-20 06:27:42 This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-02-23 14:18:11

all the ingredients are there,recognisable at a glance.

A very nice, discreet,elegant watch for sure.Personally I think the rose gold gives a touch of retro that suits this watch very much.

Superb pictures as usual.

Mo

Well its very appropriate for what it is I think...

Mo

Great pics and comparisons! I fully agree with you on the steel version... Could be my first silver dial... But which one is the final version? Dauphine or my all beloved Alpha hands?

The hands are definitive, as shown on the pics.

Best,
Nicolas

I would have liked this piece even more without the date but that is personal preference. Hmmm.... how nice this case would be for the next Master Calendar in the future!

Thank you for the detailed pics and the history lesson, Nicolas. Company press releases usually tell us about what's new. They don't always go back into time to show how the model/collection has evolved. Thank you.

Ruckdee

Suprisingly, for once, I would say with date...

Why?

Because without date, it would have been to close from the MUT 38 mm.

And with date, it is strongly linked to the Geomatic.

But this is also my very personal take...



Best, and thanks for your input, Ruckdee.

Nicolas

No message body

... although it only decreased 1mm in size, it gives nicer and more coherent appearance than the previous one. of course, i still like the first release of Master Control.

moreover, i also in particular like some small cosmetic changes, e.g. the "SWISS MADE" gets closer to the edge of 6 o'clock, and near end shape of both hour and minute hands are gradually slimmed down instead of odd shape happened in the previous model. both of these small changes make thing work well and most importantly, it reverts to the first Master Control model which is the one i still prefer

Nico, got one question for you is that why MJLC engraved "Adjusted to Six (6) Positions" on the rotor instead of "Master Control 1000 hours" if you said MJLC started to use 1000 hours test for their Master Control series?

by the way, many thanks for very nice report as usual.

stefan

The Cal 889 was introduced in ... 1894 or 1985, 8 or 7 years before the Master 1000 Hours....

So, since 1992, the Cal 889, now 899, is submitted to the 1 000 Hours Control battery of tests.

Simple, isn't it?

Best, Stefan.

Nicolas.

I like the 18ktR due to the nice contrast of the rose hands and indices against the silver sunray dial. The steel IS very nice, but the hands blend a bit too much for me. The happy median would be a steel case with rose hands & indices on a honey-brown (what JLC used to call "glossy gold") strap...but this will probably end up in the boutiques.

I am sure that a Black Dial will come, even if I have no confirmation of this.

Best,

Nicolas

I have been waiting for the details about the new Master Control full of expectation.

In its price class, there is nothing as nice, period. If I were looking for a simple Time date watch... unbeatable.

Since has not disappointed

It is a perfect "all-around dress watch"... at least this is waht I think when I see it.  The thick bezel makes it less formal which is good point in order to create a clear difference with the UT.

This Master Control is a rare exemple of a 3 hands watch for which I prefer the SS version. Neutral colours work very fine here and the bezel is to thick for PG IMHO.

Thanks a lot for the presentation.

Fx

This SS is so deliciously understated...

A great deal.

Best,

Nicolas

Yes, this truly is the Master Control. Actually this is what you call the prototype of a dress watch; elegant, balanced, simple and classy. This is the the Calatrava with an affordable price tag IMO. 39 mm, perfect, the smaller bezel, very nice! If this watch would have been available a few years ago I'd probably would have got it instead of the RDM which is in the same league of class (again in my opinion of course). I still would go for one, but it should come with a black dial (will it....?), to differ from my RDM.

What about the hands? Your pictures show two different pair of hands. The classy dauphine hands are my all time favorite.

One minor issue is the date font which is the same as on the Master Chrono, but somehow doesn't suit the watch very well I think.

Thanks for again a fine report.

Best Starman

This message has been edited by Starman on 2012-02-20 13:37:53

A black dial may well come, my friend.

The question is when.

As for the hands, it seems, from what I've seen on the PROTOS, that the SS will come with different hands than the RG.

But these are protos, so nothing is definitely sure.

Best,

Nicolas.

Hi This message has been edited by jml_watches on 2012-02-20 14:49:12

I just asked my contact to give me an answer on that detail.

So I will tell you as soon as I have the answer.

Best,

Nicolas

Sorry, Nico. Am late to the party on this one.

I agree with Ruckdee re: history. It would be nice (marketing or educational) for JLC to mention the history of a piece where applicable. With Swiss watches, they play on history a lot to sell so they should take advantage of the wealth of info that is available to them. They can take a cue from you, yes?

I like the proportions. The thickness of the arabics, the blank space across the dial, the thickness of the dauphne hands... all proportional to the thickness of the bezel. While I do like Clavi's vintage specimen better (from an earlier post) with the plexi(?) bubble type glass and the thinner bezel, this current iteration is, as Clavi put it, a step in the right direction. And if I may say so myself, a big step.

I used to like no-dates but recently, for some reason, I have been very conscious about it on my watches. Most of my watches don't have dates and while more aesthetically beautiful, more balanced, i am beginning to like the look of a well executed date window... rolex cyclops, or the pam088 gmt... and now, this one. Geez, I'm beginning to like my watches to be a bit more "functional" than "well-balances" :p

Of course, I need to see it in the flesh. both silver and gold look quite appealing! wondering about the msrp on the gold

Great write-up! Thank you for putting this one out!

 

 

 

I much prefer the style of the latest Master Control, to say all, but I do see very well what Clavio means, for sure.

Like you, on this one, it doesn't disturb me to see the date, maybe because it is strongly linked to the Geomatic?

Ni idea of the Rose Gold MRSP, my friend, I would say just under 10 K Euros, but it is just my guess.

Best,

Nicolas

So loving the black alligator strap on the stainless-steel.  I replaced the brown alligator strap on my Master Control with a black one and I couldn't be happier!