Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Master Control collection, with its timeless style and mechanical sophistication, has been recognised as a modern classic in the three decades since it was unveiled. This year, the watchmaker introduces an eye-catching new variation to the line: the Master Control Chronograph Calendar in pink gold with a black dial.
The Master Control takes its name from JLC’s 1,000-Hour Control Certification and was the first watch collection to undergo this rigorous testing protocol – not just of the movement, but of the cased-up watch as well. This has since become standard for all JLC timepieces.
With its harmonious proportions and restrained styling, the Master Control collection draws inspiration from the maison’s emblematic round watches of the 1950s and ’60s, such as the Memovox and Futurematic. The new Master Control Chronograph Calendar with black dial subtly recalls the coloured watch dials of the mid-20th century, reinterpreting their vintage appeal in a confidently contemporary style.
Anchored by the clean, modern lines of the case, myriad refined details highlight the chronograph and calendar displays. The dial is framed by a pulsometric scale marked around the flange. This is a traditional indication originally developed for physicians to measure patients’ heart rates which, in keeping with tradition, is marked in red.
Creating a dynamic contrast with the black dial, the red is repeated on each of the three sub-dials and in the day and month windows. The indications for the two complications – a complete calendar and a bi-compax chronograph – are balanced in a dial layout that is intuitive to read, despite the complexity of the information shown.
The 30-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock is balanced by the running seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock, while the day and month windows in the upper section of the dial are balanced by the circular moon-phase and date indicator at 6 o’clock.
The finely textured ‘azurage’ finish on these three sub-dials, and the rich blue of the moon-phase indicator, create a subtle and pleasing contrast to the vibrant black of the sunray-brushed dial, which captures and reflects the light with movements of the wearer’s wrist. Legibility is further enhanced by the contrast between the warm pink-gold tone of the dauphine hands and applied trapezoidal indexes.
With its 40-millimetre diameter, outwardly sloping bezel and dynamically curved lugs, the pink gold case exudes a relaxed and understated elegance. Satin brushing on the case sides and lugs are complemented by the polished bezel, crowns and lug bevels.
Refined details include the bas-relief engravings on the back bezel and a sapphire crystal case-back to reveal the finely finished and decorated movements. Rectangular chronograph pushers add a purposeful, modern air to the well-proportioned 12.05mm thick case. A black alligator leather strap adds a classically elegant allure to the pink gold case.
The Master Control Chronograph Calendar is powered by the automatic Calibre 759, an integrated chronograph movement with a 65-hour power reserve. It features a column-wheel chronograph mechanism with a vertical clutch, allied to a triple calendar with a moon-phase display.
The fine finishing, visible through the sapphire crystal case-back, includes Côtes de Genève, blued screws, and Jaeger-LeCoultre’s emblematic open-worked gold rotor bearing the ‘JL’ motif. Like all of the Maison’s calibres, the movement was entirely designed, produced, finished and assembled within its Manufacture at Le Sentier, in Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux.
