To understand the primacy of the Le Sentier manufacture’s watchmaking traditions, one needs only at their 1950s Jaeger-LeCoultre triple calendar. As befitting their nickname “watchmaker’s watchmaker”, the same triple calendar calibre was supplied to Cartier and Vacheron Constantin; in that respect, it is a historical representation of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s art of precision in both design and manufacturing expertise. Hence for Watches & Wonders 2020, the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph Calendar is evocative of this legacy.

It stands to reason that if over 50 years on, the original Jaeger-LeCoultre Triple Date Calendar collection still serves as the inspiration for the brand’s new Master Control Chronograph Calendar, it’s definitely something to be said for its place in the annals of history as a watchmaking icon.

2020: New Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph Calendar is evocative of Le Sentier legacy

Aesthetically, just as the original, the new Master Control Chronograph Calendar is perfectly balanced, allowing for intuitive reading of the triple-calendar indications with one important concession: the central date pointer has been moved to a combination moonphase and date subdial in order to make the necessary space for the chronograph indications.

The Watches & Wonders 2020 flagship sees the Grande Maison releasing a newly developed manufacture movement for their latest Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph Calendar. New integrated chronograph calibres are a rarity, and with the Calibre 759, using the fundamental architecture of the 2004 chronograph Calibre 751,  we’ve seen our second in two years, the other from 2019’s Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT, Jaeger-LeCoultre combines a chronograph with a triple calendar display and a moon-phase for their new Master Control Chronograph Calendar (though I’m still waiting for confirmation from HQ but I’m fairly certain given the 12.5mm thinness – it’s not just a module slapped on) and it is deeply evocative of the Le Sentier manufacture’s legacy from both a visual and technical perspective.

Peter Speake-Marin, namesake founder of his indie brand and now the Naked Watchmaker, once deconstructed a vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Calendar and found that “over all movement design and proportions are perfect for classical chronometry and longevity”.One assumes with new quality control protocols and the advantage of modern imaging tools have enabled Le Sentier watchmakers to approach precise tolerances and slavish levels of finishing for their latest Master Control Chronograph Calendar movement.

Just below 12 o’clock twin apertures of the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph Calendar display day and month respectively in bold red lettering, while a red-tipped date hand reminiscent of its vintage Master Triple Calendar predecessor points to the date, which is shown on an outside chapter ring (also in red). A tachymetric counter replaces the date scale on the periphery of the dial, making the Grande Maison’s latest Master Control Chronograph Calendar a deeply modern interpretation of a vintage classic.

Latest Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph Calendar

Movement Automatic Cal. 759 with 65 hours power reserve
Case 40 mm stainless steel with 50 metres water resistance
Strap Alligator Leather
Price of Master Control Chronograph Calendar CHF 14,500 or S$21,600