jaeger lecoultre master control

Earlier this year, Jaeger-LeCoultre presented the latest generation of the Master Control collection, a pillar in the production of “La Grande Maison” since 1992, when it was first launched.After our presentation articles of the Master Control Chronograph Calendar, the Master Control Calendar, the Master Control Geographic and the Master Control Memovox with its brother Memovox Timer, we recently had the opportunity to wear and test the headline model of the collection, the Master Control Chronograph Calendar ref. Q4138420, and we are now delighted to share our hands-on experience and a lot of live pictures.As its name suggests, this model puts together two of the most appreciated complications in watchmaking, a column-wheel chronograph and a triple calendar display with moon phases, a combination that is available for the first time in the Master Control collection.

The jaeger lecoultre Master Control Chronograph Calendar comes in a perfectly proportioned 40 mm x 12.05 mm stainless steel rounded case with a pleasing alternation of satin-brushed and brilliantly polished surfaces.Thanks to its ideal size and slightly curved lugs, the watch sits very comfortably on average wrists (the wrist in our pictures is 18 cm / 7.1 in).The numerous functions are controlled via the crown (manual winding and time setting), the rectangular pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock (chronograph start/stop and reset), and the 4 correctors on the caseband (month at 2:30, date of the month at 3:30, month at 8:00 and day at 10:00).The slim bezel leaves more space to the silver sunray-finished dial with snailed counters and, despite many information to display, readability at first glance is truly excellent.

The indications are efficiently arranged: the 30-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock is visually balanced by the running seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock, while the day and month windows in the top part of dial are balanced by the moon-phase and date indicator at 6 o’clock. A pulsometric scale is marked around the dial flange.We like this particular scale and we prefer it to the more common but less useful tachometer scale. To take a pulse, just start the chronograph and stop it after counting 30 pulse beats. The large blue hand then indicates on the outer scale the number of beats per minute.Four Super-LumiNova spots are applied at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock along the outer minute track. A stripe of Super-LumiNova is also used on the hour and minute hands.The transparent sapphire crystal case back reveals the sophisticated manufacture movement, the 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) Calibre 759. Comprised of 356 parts, this newly developed self-winding movement features a column-wheel chronograph with a vertical clutch and offers a power reserve of 65 hours.Thanks to the open-worked pink gold rotor embellished by the brand’s double “J” and decorated with Côtes de Genève, the movement can be observed in all its details.Offering waterproofness to a pressure of 5 bars (approx 50 metres / 165 feet), this model is matched to a Novonappa calf leather strap secured to the wrist by a stainless steel folding clasp. Produced through a double tanning process – which includes chrome tanning salts and vegetable tannins – this high-quality leather offers a mellow touch, softness and the property of forming a beautiful patina over time.Combining true, understated elegance and technical rigour, this is a watch that shows deep respect for tradition while taking advantage of the latest innovations to achieve product excellence.The indisputable quality of the timepiece, like all Jaeger-LeCoultre creations, is confirmed by the possibility to extend the “International Limited Warranty” from 2 to 8 years upon registration of the watch on the dedicated online platform.

The price of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph Calendar ref. Q4138420 is Euro 15,300, certainly in line with the prestige of the brand and the quality of the watch.
Introduced in 1992, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Collection has always been the classic model of the brand, with a focus on technical rigour, certification and visual restraint. Its name comes from the fact that it was the first of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s collections to benefit from its pioneering ‘1000 Hours Control’ certification. In constant evolution since its launch, today the Maison unveils its four proposals for 2020. So, let’s take a look at the 2020 Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Collection.
This new Master Control Collection has to be seen as a subtle evolution, a modernisation of the range with a casual twist, rather than a complete overhaul. As many of you know, its name comes from JLC’s own ‘1000 Hours Control’ certification, a series of tests on the cased-up watch (not just its movement) to guarantee its perfect execution and its precision. It is one of the most stringent testing protocols in the industry today and every model in this new collection has passed the tests.