A timeless sophistication that keeps reinventing itself
In the early 90s, Jaeger-LeCoultre unveiled a new elegant timepiece, which was an instant hit due to its classic aesthetic imbued with modern sensibility. The Master Control took a shortcut and became an icon in the world of horology. Its unpretentious simplicity and its discreet presence speak volumes about its enthusiasts and fans. Over the last three decades or so, the range has played host to a wide repertoire of the Grand Maison’s round calibres from three hands to some of the most sophisticated complications. Let’s just put it this way: it’s an inexhaustible list.
A couple of weeks ago, Jaeger-LeCoultre added a new rendition of the Master Control Calendar to the ever-growing family. The current Calendar aesthetics is a deliberate, measured shift towards the current taste, which itself has evolved ever so slightly. The plain matte-polished dial, which has hosted the Calendar in the past, has been given a new treatment. It now features a two-tone dial.
The dial is decorated with four concentric sections, alternating between light and dark grey, starting from the centre to the flange, finished with a classic grained texture. It is adorned with dauphine hour, minute, and continuous second hands. A day and month window sits next to each other just below 11 and 1 o‘clock respectively, while a continuous seconds sub-dial at six o’clock shares space with the moonphase complication on the light grey centre dial, along with the central date indicator marked with a red-tip ‘JL’. A dark grey chapter ring hosts slim arrow indices and Arabic numerals indicating the hours. The minute chapter ring is situated just adjacent to it, and a date chapter ring on the outer flange displays black transfer Arabic numerals, with 31 in red at 12 o’clock. Uniquely and whimsically, the date indicator, featuring a rapid-gliding function, jumps from the 15th to the 16th to avoid obstructing the view of the stunning moonphase, which is arguably one of the most beautiful in the industry. Luminescent hour dots sit alongside the transfer minutes chapter, positioned between the date and the hour.
The star of this wristwatch is its Manufacture calibre 866. Inspired by a model developed in 1940 by the Maison—the iconic triple calendar moon-phase, commonly known as the complete calendar—this model has been upgraded with the latest technology to ensure reliability and precision. The movement boasts a 70-hour power reserve. This ensemble paved the way for the 21st-century Jaeger-LeCoultre Calendar, and while this may be the latest, it certainly won’t be the last.
The modern classic marvels above are housed in a 40mm stainless steel case with a brushed mirror-polish finish, complementing the timeless aesthetics of the Master Control. The Calendar is certainly a welcome addition to the array of their family of classic icons, especially with the modern rendition. The new Master Control Calendar isn’t here to replace the predecessors, but merely to enhance and expand the range, and to keep the range up to date. The Complete calendar watches are desired for their practicality, and it is one you must have if you are someone who not only treasures the precious time but also cares about the triple date at this very moment. Then this is your perfect device, you would not bear to part with, once bought, never forgotten.
