Jaeger-LeCoultre‘s (JLC) 2017 line-up at this year’s SIHH show in Geneva was dominated by the manufacture’s new Master Control watches. These relatively affordable, less complicated watches reflect the current market conditions in the Swiss watch industry, while also being a welcome departure from the usual JLC emphasis on its iconic Reverso line.
The new trio of Master Control watches all feature “sector” dials, which, when done right, can make for a nice and slightly retro looking watch. Though I find the new Master Control time+date ($5,700) a bit too plain and generic looking, and the more complicated Master Control Geographic ($9,400) a bit too busy, I am very much infatuated with the new Master Control Chronograph (ref. 1538530) . Let’s take a closer look at this watch with its beautifully designed, balanced & colored dial.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph
ref. 1538530
40mm steel case (12.mm thick), automatic mechanical JLC Caliber 751G (column wheel + vertical clutch chronograph, 65 hrs power reserve)
One notable downside to this watch is its lack of sapphire caseback, the only watch of the collection without such a feature.
No matter, still a beautiful and well proportioned chronograph. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph ref 1538530 price is $8,000, available direct from JLC.