Pre SIHH 2015: Jaeger Lecoultre Master Calendar Meteorite Dial!

Dec 08, 2014,00:00 AM
 

Hi all,

In avant première, and for your eyes only, the new Master Calendar has a new dial.

To stay objective, the Master Calendar is not a new Watch.

In 2012, it was revisited by Jaeger Lecoultre, with a reworked case, bezel, and dial.

It came in stainless steel and rose gold. And it got a more classic, not to say more refined, look.

2012, back to the Classics:

 

 

Calendars are a kind of tradition, for Lecoultre and Jaeger-Lecoultre.

We find them as soon as the end of the 19th Century with such watches as those:

Circa 1890: Annual Calendar, with retrograde date:

 

Circa 1895: Grande Complication, displaying a perpetual calendar:


 
1934, another perpetual calendar:

 

Without forgetting that Jaeger Lecoultre also made some delicious calendar watches, such as these 2, in the Fourties.

 

Or, in a more recent past, these 2 sublime expressions:

 


Without forgetting the Perpetual Calendars 8 Days, Skeleton, or not, enamel or not, and the Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Quantieme Perpetuel, Jubilé or not... And the Reverso à Triptyque!

So, no, we cannot consider the new Master Calendar as a total novelty.

BUT the dial is really something!

Made from a Meteorite found in Sweden, cut in fine slices, then reworked by the Manufacture, such a dial works very well with a moonphase. It makes echo to the spirit and the feeling provided by a moonphase.

A superb photo, provided by GettyImages:

 

A part / touch of Space, which I find very inspired and inspiring.

Here is the Stainless steel version, which is my favourite:

 

And the rose gold:

 

We have to keep in mind that the case is 39 mm big, 10, 6 mm high, and that the automatic movement housed in this Watch is the Cal 866, offering a power reserve of 43 hours.

That being said, how do you feel it?

Rose Gold, Stainless Steel? Do you have a favourite?

To tell you all, I am very happy to see Jaeger Lecoultre using these meteorite dials. I am just wishing that they will think about installing them in other watches, too.

What about a Duometre à Quantieme Lunaire with a meteorite dial? Hmmm?

Best,

Nicolas
This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-12-08 00:02:30 This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-12-08 00:06:23 This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-12-08 00:41:40 This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-12-11 22:38:09


More posts: DuometreJaeger LeCoultreMaster CalendarQuantieme Lunaire

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Great combination of colors!

 
 By: massi. : December 8th, 2014-00:17
I prefer the steel version, much close to my taste, and, IMHO, a better result: very nice the blue pointer on the date hand... The measures are good, I think it will be a pleasure not only for the eyes but also for the wrist... With this kind of dial, it ... 

What was wonderfully cohesive...

 
 By: pplater : December 9th, 2014-01:50
...now seems less so. :-( Apologies to those who disagree; beauty, of course, is largely a subjective attribute. Cheers, pplater.

This is indeed exactly, what JLC stands for: elegance, balance & class !.. :))

 
 By: hs111 : December 8th, 2014-00:30
.. I still am in love with these cal.- watches, and I cherish my three, watches, ( one Vintage, two mod), that have this natural class, without being too much . That dial is superb, the meteorite apparently contributing to an almost 3D effect, or depth- g... 

I will try to see it in the flesh asap, and will keep you updated.

 
 By: amanico : December 8th, 2014-03:19
Yes, I do like this idea a lot. Thanks for your feedback, my friend. Best, Nicolas

Well done. Steel for me please

 
 By: stromer : December 8th, 2014-00:31
This has been a good idea! I never got really excited about the Master Calendar. That's mainly because to me it looks too static, too conventional. At the same time it lacks that certain je ne sais quoi that makes the MUT Moon special and desirable to me.... 

I guess that these watches will be in limited production.

 
 By: amanico : December 8th, 2014-03:23
Which makes sense, since it is not that common nor easy to find and work on such a material. As for your last question, Martin, I don't know. AFAIK, this is the very first time JLC works on a meteorite dial. But the outcome looks promising. I just hope JL... 

2 extremely different looks. In this case I may prefer the gold. The meteorite really

 
 By: watchthatman : December 8th, 2014-01:11
Calms the yellow down in a good way. Hard to believe the gold and steel are otherwise the same watch. That 1934 perpetual is outstanding, by the way!

Aaah, my friend, there are a lot of surprises at the Heritage Gallery.

 
 By: amanico : December 8th, 2014-03:25
Each time I go to the Manufacture, I spend at least half a day there, if not more. So many marvels to rediscover. As for that Master Calendar, the dial changes all in a dramatic way. Very tempting, I must say. All the best and see you soon! Nicolas

Delicious choice...indeed!!

 
 By: moc : December 8th, 2014-01:27
Great ,great move ,cmon,Big Brands please be less conservative,dare! Go for it! Great choice,it makes sense...Rose gold for me please. Strange not to have equipped a bigger watch with it,but it is a great start.... QL in Meteorite?Where do I sign? I also ... 

You read in my mind. We have the same hopes, my friend.

 
 By: amanico : December 8th, 2014-04:14
And I am very happy to see JLC daring, too... Best, Nicolas

I would add one point

 
 By: 4Js : December 8th, 2014-03:08
Granted, cost is the issue, but I would dream of the steel look with a moon phase that is white metal on lapis blue sky. And the moon have some type of metal working. Yes, I know I own the VC EP perp chrono, but I love the meteorite dial and would love to... 

Or a Duometre? Hmmmm? [nt]

 
 By: amanico : December 8th, 2014-04:13

Well, I must say....

 
 By: watchme : December 8th, 2014-07:31
that this is new territory for JLC - extensions into "exotic," or in this case, "extra-terrestrial" dials. I'm not one for meteorite, normally, because it's not "classic," so I think the shelf-life is shorter, however, I will reserve judgment until I see ... 

Well, for me...

 
 By: watchme : December 8th, 2014-07:32
that this is new territory for JLC - extensions into "exotic," or in this case, "extra-terrestrial" dials. I'm not one for meteorite, normally, because it's not "classic," so I think the shelf-life is shorter, however, I will reserve judgment until I see ... 

Interesting offer

 
 By: Mark in Paris : December 8th, 2014-09:50
It immediately made me think of the Speedmaster Soyouz Meteorite dial. The alliance of raw material and gold craftmanship is quite interesting and I wonder how it looks in real. Surprising move from JLC for this side of their collection. Thanks for sharin... 

You thought Speedmaster, I thought Daytona.

 
 By: amanico : December 8th, 2014-10:41
In fact, this is because of the Daytona that I fell in love with the meteorite dial! Best, Nicolas

Both watches are very very attractive, I like the Steel Version more

 
 By: Watchlover78 : December 8th, 2014-11:28
It has a cool factor in it, while the Rosegold is warmer. Best regards, Baxter

steel for me please nico

 
 By: darma : December 8th, 2014-19:30
and if my sources are right hopefully a proper chronometer certified geophysic is next to be announced!!! regards darma

watch this space as there are plans afoot for your

 
 By: darma : December 9th, 2014-15:36
beloved geophysic!!! you heard it here first best darma

I like it!

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : December 9th, 2014-15:14
Has to be seen in real of course, but I like it. Especially the Rose Gold version! :) Nice scope! Best Blomman

Looks great from the pics

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : December 9th, 2014-17:04
Have to see from the metal to know for sure. Promising so far :) I like the steel version. Somehow I think Meteorite dials (and grey dials in general) work better in white metals for me. Dark grey or black or brown can work well with RG. My personal taste... 

I am like you, I prefer a meteorite dial on a white metal case, too.

 
 By: amanico : December 9th, 2014-21:53
I hope to be able to take some live pics soon! Best, Nicolas

Great looking watches...

 
 By: docfink : December 9th, 2014-18:23
...I applaud JLC for "dressing down" a relatively dressy watch with a unique material well-suited to its moon phase complication. I'm looking forward to seeing it in person.

what a lovely selection of watches. Steel is definitely my favorite material! ...

 
 By: eklektik : December 10th, 2014-04:00
... do you know how to set to the correct date an old watch left for months without having been rewinded? do you have to wind it day after day passing months and even years if necessary until the correct date? I am just wondering who the movement works. T... 

Thanks Nicolas! ...

 
 By: eklektik : December 10th, 2014-10:17
... I found the user guide online: What a beautiful piece of mechanics!! All the best, Etienne

Another vote for the steel version

 
 By: MichaelC : December 10th, 2014-07:15
Despite my adoration for grey and gold together, I really think the steel model here accentuates the refined looking moonphase dial. I seem to recall meteorite being popular some years back, but not so much recently. Leave it to JLC to highlight this awes... 

The steel version is to my taste

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : December 10th, 2014-08:44
....good size for me too....a nicely balanced watch and yes, that dial appeals.....almost "linen"