The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Hometime Aston Martin ref. 162847N is perhaps one of the most elegant and understated dual time complications out there. With its Aston Martin-inspired design, this watch features a slim satin-brushed finished stainless steel case measuring 40 mm in diameter that wears relatively smaller on the wrist. The watch is very nice and quite useful for those traveling frequently between timezones.
The Master Hometime Aston Martin features a black sunray-brushed dial that appears more glossy than sunray due to its domed sapphire crystal and the reflections created by light. The dial is perfectly balanced featuring a nice symmetry between the 24-hour indicator at 12 and the running seconds at 6 o’clock that is divided in quarters and which features an overlapping date aperture. The two time zones are easy to read as the reference time is being indicated by a skeletonized hand with a red tip that provides unparalleled contrast. As it is common with Jaeger-LeCoultre timepieces, this watch features classic and elegant dauphine hands with a small touch of luminescent material. The registers on the dial are recessed and nicely texturized with a guilloché finish as you will be able to appreciate in the pictures.
The beating heart inside this beauty is the automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 975H composed of 230 parts, 29 jewels and which provides a power reserve of 48 hours when fully wound. The calibre is very nicely decorated and fully visible via the display case back. One advantage of this watch over other dual time zone watches, is that the 24-hour hand is not the one that moves independently but the home time, allowing for easy adjustment when traveling between time zones. If you keep your hour hand and the 24-hour hand synchronized, every time you travel it will be easy to adjust your time to the new time zone and always keeping track of the hometime with the 24-hour red tip hand. If you are not traveling you could always synchronize the 24-hour hand to the second time zone you want to keep as a reference without the need of a bezel.
This watch is fitted with a nice grayish blueish matte alligator strap with double folding clasp. Opposed to other JLC watches we have reviewed, the length on this strap is perfect. The strap has a very unique and nice color but is somewhat stiff. We are confident that after a week-long break-in period, the strap will perfectly mold to your wrist.
As mentioned earlier, this watch wears slightly smaller on the wrist but quite comfortable. The biggest down side to this watch, is that the dial along with the untreated sapphire crystal create unwanted reflections that make reading time somewhat hard. Regardless, we feel that this watch is very nicely done and an extremely great value for your money.
Sticker Price $9,000 USD. For more info on Jaeger-LeCoultre click here.
