Jaeger-LeCoultre/Master Control Part.1

The Master Control collection has been the backbone of Jaeger-LeCoultre since 1992. It's not as straightforward as the Reverso, but that's precisely what makes it so fascinating. The Master Control is the brand's bread and butter. Let's explore its long and fascinating history.

BIG MASTER [1992]
Achieved the first 1000-hour control
A milestone in standard watches

　Since the mid-1980s, Jaeger-LeCoultre has been working to turn its business around. After releasing the "Reverso 60th Anniversary Model" in 1991, the company followed up with a solid three-hand model: the Master Control series with a round case.

　The project was planned by Gunter Blümlein, who had successfully turned around IWC, and his confidant, Henri-Jean Belmont, CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre. The two had a clear vision for the product. As Blümlein put it, "For the same price, more features, and for the same features, a lower price."

　The Master Control, released in 1992, was a kind of retro watch, modeled after designs from the 40s to 60s. However, what made it more than just a retro watch was the addition of the groundbreaking 1000-hour control, also known as the Master Control test. The Master Control's caliber 889 had such excellent accuracy that it passed COSC chronometer testing. However, Blümlein and Belmont wanted to add even more value.

　The COSC chronometer test measures the accuracy of the movement alone at three temperatures and in five positions over a 15-day period. In contrast, Jaeger-LeCoultre's Master Control standard measures the accuracy of the cased watch at three temperatures and in six positions. It also includes shock resistance and air pressure tests.

　Their pursuit of added value was also reflected in the watch's water resistance. While a typical three-hand watch is water resistant to 3 bar, the Master Control was water resistant to 5 bar. Blümlein and Belmont created the Master Control not as a mere retro watch, but as a highly accurate, tough, practical watch.

MASTER CONTROL DATE [2020]
Significantly extended power reserve
Modern spec version

　The Master Control has been the backbone of Jaeger-LeCoultre since its release in 1992. However, there have been no major advancements since the movement was updated between 2004 and 05. While each of the new base movements was highly refined, it lacked the expandability to allow for further improvements.

　However, in 2020, Jaeger-LeCoultre finally undertook a full model change for the Master Control. In terms of internal changes, it could be said that this is the first complete overhaul in 15 years. It is equipped with the same caliber 899 as its predecessor. However, not only has its magnetic resistance been significantly improved thanks to a silicon escapement, but a new barrel has resulted in a longer power reserve of approximately 70 hours. The standard strategy for extending the power reserve is to expand the baseplate and install a larger barrel. However, technological advances have dramatically improved the performance of the 899 without changing the movement size. Additionally, the shortcoming of the 899 and its base model, the 889, which often skipped hands when setting the time, has been completely eliminated.

　The exterior has also been revamped. Since 2000, Jaeger-LeCoultre has been working on in-house case production, improving quality almost every year. The new Master Control is the culmination of this work. Not only has the distortion of the mirror surface on the case been reduced, but the satin finish on the sides has also been made uniform. The bombé dial, an icon of the Master Control, has also been further emphasized in this model. While it may look retro at first glance, it has hidden performance that goes beyond that, just like the 1992 Master Control.

　However, it took a long time for this collection to mature, and we would like to look back on that long journey in the following pages.