When the Master Collection was launched in 1992, it was the first from Jaeger-LeCoultre to undergo the ‘1000 Hours Control’ testing, a thorough process that not only assesses the movement’s capabilities before and after casing, but also extends throughout assembly and confirms the capabilities of the watch basis the rigours that it may face on a daily basis. Over time, the Master Control line developed, its 50s inspired design seeing a range of complications. The latest iterations to join the collection are Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Date (Ref. Q4018480) and Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Calendar (Ref. Q4148480), both striking designs in blue.

Common to both the 40mm stainless steel models is a deep blue sunray-brushed dial with white Arabic numerals, faceted dart shaped hour markers, and faceted dauphine hour and minute hands. The minutes track is in light blue, with dot markers in Super-LumiNovaTM for minutes division. Though featuring different movements, both watches have a power reserve of 70 hours, are water resistant to 50 metres, and are limited to 800 pieces each.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Date (Ref. Q4018480)

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Date (Ref. Q4018480) is powered by calibre 899AC automatic movement with a rose gold oscillating weight with four visible screws, revealed through the transparent caseback. Turn it over and you see that the case has a thin bezel, and dial features the date window at 3 o'clock, its applied white Arabic numerals resting on a date disc that is also blue. The hue extends to the calf leather straps with blue stitching, which are attached to bevelled lugs. And as with most straps today, these too come with a quick change system allowing wearers to change the straps conveniently.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Calendar (Ref. Q4148480)

 The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Calendar (Ref. Q4148480) is naturally an amped up version Ref. Q4018480 with full calendar functionalities. Powered by Calibre 866AA movement, this model gets a leg up on the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Date (Ref. Q4018480) with windows for day and month at 12 o’clock, with the date indication done via numerals on the periphery of the dial, and indicated with a date hand that features a red lacquered Jaeger-LeCoultre logograph on the tip. This date hand makes a 90° jump between the 15th and 16th day of each month, so that it does not hamper the view of the small seconds and moonphase window at 6 o’clock.

Also Read: Jaeger-Lecoultre's Fascinating Timepieces At Watches and Wonders 2022

The small seconds subdial is also where you can also see the craftsmanship on that Jaeger-LeCoultre prides itself on, on display. Featuring a snailed finish, the upper half of the subdial reveals the moonphase disc decorated with a star-studded background. And like the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Date (Ref. Q4018480), the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Calendar (Ref. Q4148480) is also finished with calf leather straps with blue stitching, with can be interchanged easily.

Images: Courtesy Jaeger-LeCoultre