Jaeger-LeCoultre Reinterprets The Modern Classic: The Master Control Chronograph Calendar In Pink-Gold

Jaeger-LeCoultre's Master Control collection has been hailed as a modern classic for the three decades since it was first released because of its timelessly elegant design, mechanical sophistication, and innovative reinterpretations of watchmaking's most practical and iconic complications. The Master Control Chronograph Calendar in pink gold with a black dial is an eye-catching new variation to the line that La Grande Maison introduces in 2023. Its continuous evolution is imbued with the Maison's deep respect for tradition and the constant pursuit of innovation.

The Master Control, which embodies the Maison's dedication to watchmaking excellence, gets its name from Jaeger-LeCoultre's 1,000-Hour Control Certification and was the first watch collection to go through the stringent testing protocol, which is now the norm for all Jaeger-LeCoultre timepieces, not just for the movement but also for the cased-up watch.

An Elegant and Modern Aesthetic Inspired by the Rich Heritage of the Maison

The Master Control collection is inspired by the Maison's iconic round watches from the 1950s and 1960s, like the Memovox and Futurematic, with their harmonious proportions and understated styling. The new Master Control Chronograph Calendar with a black dial subtly evokes the colored watch dials of the mid-20th century, reinterpreting their vintage appeal in a confidently contemporary style.

Numerous elegant details highlight the calendar and chronograph displays, which are supported by the case's crisp, contemporary lines. The dial is framed by a pulsometric scale, which is traditionally marked in red. This scale was originally created by doctors to measure their patients' heart rates, but it is still useful for modern lifestyles. The red is repeated on each of the three subdials, as well as in the day and month windows, creating a dynamic contrast with the black dial that calls attention to this important information.

Despite the complexity of the information displayed, the indications for the two complications—a full calendar and a bi-compax chronograph—are balanced on the dial in a classic, uncomplicated, and easy-to-read arrangement.

The running seconds sub-dial at 9 o'clock balances the 30-minute chronograph counter at 3 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, as well as the rich blue of the moon-phase indicator, provide a subtle and pleasing contrast to the vibrant black of the sunray-brushed dial, which captures and reflects light with wrist movements. The contrast between the warm pink-gold tone of the Dauphine hands and the applied trapezoidal indexes improves legibility even more.

Elegant Proportions for the Modern Sophisticate

The 40-millimeter pink gold Master Control case exudes a casual and understated elegance with its outwardly sloping bezel and dynamically curved lugs. The polished bezel, crowns, and lug bevels contrast with the satin-brushed case sides and lugs. Bas-relief engravings on the back bezel and a sapphire crystal case-back that reveals the exquisitely finished and decorated movements are just two examples of the fine details that abound. Rectangular chronograph pushers add a purposeful, contemporary air to the well-proportioned 12.05mm thick case, enhancing this timelessly elegant design. The pink gold case is enhanced by a black alligator leather strap, paying homage to a time-honored, classically elegant style that has been admired for many generations.

Technical Complexity Expressed Through Mechanical Elegance

The Master Control Chronograph Calendar, a fine example of Jaeger-LeCoultre's technically complex and mechanically elegant watchmaking, is driven by the automatic Calibre 759 movement. A triple calendar with a moon phase display is coupled with a column-wheel chronograph mechanism in this integrated chronograph movement, which has a 65-hour power reserve.

Côtes de Genève, blued screws, and Jaeger-LeCoultre's iconic open-worked gold rotor bearing the "JL" motif are just a few of the fine finishing details that can be seen through the sapphire crystal case-back. The movement was entirely created, made, finished, and put together within the Maison's own Manufacture at Le Sentier in Switzerland's Vallée de Joux.

Technical Specifications:

Case: Pink Gold 750/1000 (18 carats)
Dimensions: diameter 40 mm; thickness 12.05 mm
Calibre: Automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 759
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, day, date, month, moon phases, chronograph with 30-
minute counter and pulsometer
Power Reserve: 65 hours
Water resistance: 5 bar
Dial: Black sunray-brushed
Strap: Black alligator
Reference: Q413257J