La Grande Maison of Le Sentier enriches an icon of modern Swiss horology, the Master Control collection, by introducing new interpretations of the signature complications in its collection — the Master Control Calendar and the Master Control Chronograph Calendar. Now with interchangeable steel bracelets that are compatible with other strap systems of Jaeger-LeCoultre, the Master Control is more versatile than ever.
2022 marks the 30 years of the Master Control, launched in 1992 as a demonstration of the Maison’s commitment to the very highest levels of watchmaking excellence. The Master Control marked the beginning of the 1000 Hours Control system of internal quality standards at Jaeger-LeCoultre, a system subsequently incorporated throughout the full range of watches and which is now emblematic of the Maison’s fine watchmaking promise to its customers.
The Master Control epitomises the dedicated approach to precision timekeeping at Jaeger-LeCoultre. In addition, the collection is a celebration of the continued value of mechanical watchmaking and its most emblematic complications, even in the 21st century. Two new Master Control models, in stainless steel with interchangeable bracelets, bring the calendar display and chronograph function more fully into contemporary everyday life, recognising the prominence of active lifestyles in the world today.
Earlier this year at Watches and Wonders 2022, the Maison demonstrated its exceptional savoir-faire in the domain of calendar watches. Timepieces such as the Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945 and the Atmos Hybris Mechanica Calibre 590 represented some of the most sophisticated mechanical expressions of cosmic time in modern horology.
Expanding the utilitarian side of calendrical watchmaking at Jaeger-LeCoultre are two new interpretations of the Master Control Calendar and the Master Control Chronograph Calendar.
Building on the recent success of the Master Control Calendar with blue dial, the latest Master Control Calendar with interchangeable bracelet comes in a dial colour palette that focuses on purity and refinement. The silver sunray-brushed dial features a tone-on-tone aesthetic, maintaining the essential design codes of the Master Control such as dauphine hands and Arabic numerals intercut with dart hour markers. The jumping date hand that characterises this model is endowed with a red-lacquered indicator tip in the shape of the Jaeger-LeCoultre logo, allowing the date to be read easily and intuitively.
The Master Control Chronograph Calendar is equally pure in its chronometric expression, using blue chronograph hands and a blue moonphase disc to bring out the indications of the complications. For the first time, both the Master Control Calendar and the Master Control Chronograph Calendar are available on a steel bracelet with a quick-change system — a timely reflection of the ever-growing importance of versatile and robust-wearing timepieces in contemporary life.
Both the new Master Control models with steel bracelet also come with a light-brown strap in Novonappa® calf leather. These leather straps are equipped with the same quick-change system, allowing the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control to truly become a watch for all seasons.
MASTER CONTROL CALENDAR
Dimensions: 40 mm x 10.95mm
Calibre: automatic mechanical Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 866AA
Functions: hours/minutes/seconds, date, day, month, moon phases
Power reserve: 70 hours
Case: stainless steel
Case-back: open
Water resistance: 5 bar
Dial: silver sunray-brushed
Strap: interchangeable stainless steel bracelet and brown Novonappa® calf leather strap
MASTER CONTROL CHRONOGRAPH CALENDAR
Dimensions: 40 mm x 12.05mm
Calibre: automatic mechanical Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 759
Functions: hours/minutes/seconds, date, day, month, moon phases, chronograph, 30-minute counter, pulsometer
Power reserve: 65 hours
Case: stainless steel
Case-back: open
Water resistance: 5 bar
Dial: silver sunray-brushed
Strap: interchangeable stainless steel bracelet and brown Novonappa® calf leather strap
Reference: Q413812J
ABOUT THE STELLAR ODYSSEY
In 2022 Jaeger-LeCoultre pays homage to the astronomical phenomena that lie at the very origin of how mankind measures time. Since the earliest days of the Manufacture, astronomical functions have played a major role in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s portfolio of complicated timepieces – ranging from simple forms of moon phase display to highly complex perpetual calendars, equation of time, sky charts, and the draconic and anomalistic lunar cycles. Mastering all three measures of time – solar, lunar and sidereal – the watchmakers of La Grande Maison have perpetually innovated to create the most advanced and precise mechanisms that represent or even predict celestial phenomena. This year, Jaeger-LeCoultre embarks on a Stellar Odyssey with an immersive exhibition and a series of themed events that will embrace inspirational collaborations with a visual artist and a mixologist, and a fascinating programme of celestially-themed Discovery Workshops at Atelier d’Antoine. The Stellar Odyssey is an invitation to discover how the mysteries of the cosmos are translated into micro-mechanical wonders for the wrist.