A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to pick up a Dornblueth 99.1 that was listed on TZ-UK as unworn and pristine. It was a beauty, with applied blue numerals, but like many before me I realised after wearing it for a while that it really does need a slightly bigger wrist than my own. It bothered me as the 99.1 is a bit of a stunner, but at the same time I came to this conclusion a watch I’d been thinking about for many, many months also popped up for sale. A few PMs later and I’d sold one and bought the other.

The watch in question is a JLC Master Calendar in it’s newest guise (it’s actually a mid-2014 model, so almost NIB). Reminiscent of the Master Moon, gone is the power reserve from the old model, which allows the logo to go back where it belongs just under the 12 marker; and also gone is the large case, as JLC have reverted to a perfectly proportioned 39mm for what is essentially a pretty dressy watch. Since I sold my MUT Moon (I just don’t get on with ultra thins, for some reason) I’ve been sorely missing a JLC so I’m delighted to have one back in the fold. This one as a triple date moonphase so right up my street, and on the wrist it’s nothing short of gorgeous… much, much nicer than I was expecting, in fact. For those who like some technical details…

Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre
866

Movement
Automatic
Number of pieces : 305
Vibrations per hour : 28800
Power-reserve : 43 Hours
Jewels : 32
Barrel : 1
Height : 5.65 mm

Functions
Hour – Minute
Seconds
Moon phases
Date
Day
Month

Case
Stainless Steel
Water resistance : 5 bar
Diameter : 39mm
Thickness : 10.6mm

Dial
Silvered sunray-brushed, rhodium-plated hour-markers

Hands
Dauphines

Strap/bracelet
Alligator Leather

Buckle
Double Folding Buckle 16.0 mm

The black alligator strap that came with the watch is too long for me, but as I already wear my GO PC and IWC Portuguese on black leather I’ve ordered a dark hazelnut matt alligator with square scales from Camille Fournet. I think most people know by now that these are effectively the OEM straps that come with the watch, but buying from CF direct means they’re about half the price of going to JLC themselves. In the meantime I’ve mounted a Rios croc that arrived a couple of days ago, and that’s actually destined for my Daytona when the custom end links arrive from Singapore.

Anyway, apologies if I’ve rambled on a bit, but here are a few photos in customary fashion.