Master Control: Between tradition and innovation

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Master Control: Between tradition and innovation - Jaeger-LeCoultre
The 2020 men’s novelties in the Master Control collection blend past with the present.

This year, the Manufacture is reinterpreting its Master Control collection, taking inspiration from round watches of the 1950s (Futurmatic, PowerMatic, Memovox). Launched in 1992, the Master Control collection still benefits from the “1000 Hours Control” certification as well as an 8-year guarantee.

These new watches bring a breath of fresh air to the collection, equipped with a 40mm case that is water-resistant to 50 meters, a bezel slightly tilted outwards and curved lugs. “New watches” also implies new straps, or at least reworked straps. Novonappa® calf leather was selected for its soft, matt finish to enhance the cases. The quick-change system makes it possible to personalise watches to whatever one desires and without the need for tools. The rose gold cases can also be accompanied by an alligator leather strap.

Master Control : entre tradition et innovation

Master Control Date

In order to make it even more efficient, Jaeger-LeCoultre has once again reworked its Calibre 899. The new silicon escapement reduces friction and therefore allows for a lower energy consumption. Titanium has been chosen to replace steel for the balance mounting screws, giving them greater resistance. The strong point of this “new” automatic movement lies in the design of the barrel. It has been completely reworked to accommodate a stronger and longer mainspring, resulting in the power reserve being improved from 38 to 70 hours. However, although it is longer, the spring does not increase the thickness of the movement, which is 3.3mm. The thin stainless-steel case with sapphire caseback is only 8.78 mm thick.

Master Control Geographic

As the travel watch of the collection, the new Master Control Geographic is THE ideal companion to accompany you on your trips. Thanks to its new-generation automatic movement (the Jaeger-LeCoultre 939), it not only indicates a second time zone but also offers a 24-hour day/night indicator as well as the name of the city corresponding to the location (the 24 time zones are therefore indicated). Thus, the second time zone can be set using the city name without having to think about the time difference. Indicators for the date and power reserve (increased to 70 hours on this enhanced calibre) join the long list of complications for this Master Control Geographic.

Master Control : entre tradition et innovation

Available in stainless steel, the case of this model is also available in a brand-new material: Le Grand Rose gold®. A great first for the watchmaking house, this new alloy, the formula of which remains a secret, contains an addition of palladium that protects it against oxidation and allows its colour to be maintained over time.

Master Control Calendar and Master Control Chronograph Calendar

As the heir to the maison’s watches from the 1940s and 1950s in part due to the complication it houses, the Master Control Calendar reinterprets the triple calendar with a moon phase for the 21st century. The day, date and month indications are thus joined by the moon phase indication at 6 o’clock. In the interest of perfect legibility, the Manufacture has added an original complication to this automatic model: the jumping date. In addition to the improvements made to the 899 calibre, the 866 calibre features a mechanism that makes the date hand jump from the 15th to the 16th (at the bottom of the dial). Thanks to this 90-degree jump, the moon-phase indication remains fully legible whatever the day of the month. In addition, just like the 899 calibre, the Manufacture has also reworked its 866 calibre, resulting in an increase in the power reserve from 30 to 70 hours.

Master Control : entre tradition et innovation

As for the Master Control Chronograph Calendar, its heart beats to the rhythm of the new in-house Jaeger-LeCoultre 759 calibre, combining a triple display of the calendar, moon phase and chronograph. The small seconds is positioned at 9 o’clock, while on the Master Control Calendar it appears at 6 o’clock around the moon phase display. Although it has a chronograph complication, the sportier, automatic version does not contain the jumping-hour complication, as the date is indicated around the moon phase display. Its power reserve is 65 hours.

The Master Control Calendar and its chronograph version are available in both steel and Le Grand Rose gold® cases.

Master Control : entre tradition et innovation

Reverso One

Ladies, Jaeger-LeCoultre has a surprise in store for you too! It is not the Master Control collection but the emblematic Reverso, created almost 90 years ago. Inspired by the Art Deco aesthetics and design of the first Reverso Lady of 1931 with its elongated case (40 x 20 x 7.9mm), the new Reverso One, powered by the 657 calibre, is presented in a new light thanks to a new colour: lie-de-vin. This rich shade of red wine features on the lacquered and engine-turned dial, and is also highlighted on the alligator leather strap. Set with two rows of diamonds, the stainless-steel case, water-resistant to 30 metres, leaves room for customisation on its solid caseback, which will last through time.

Master Control : entre tradition et innovation

With these new creations, it becomes clear that in 2020, Master Control is a collection that rhymes with tradition and innovation.

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