Watches - another OCD problem
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I was at the Jaeger LeCoultre boutique yesterday, and took a look at the Master Compressor. It's a limited edition of 500, though as one article put it, they don't sell many of their sports watches so that's more a marketing gimmick.
I'm probably going to get the Geophysic. I pre-ordered one and it's just arrived, but I'm not sure if I quite gel with it. Then again, it's probably more me than the above.
Shame JLC don't do a buy one get one free offer.
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100M water resistance on a "sport" watch with a locking crown is just inexplicable. Granted, few will ever test that limit, but JLC should at least certify it to 200, perhaps even 300 meters.
Setting that aside, I've never warmed to JLC's design aesthetic, and neither of these models change that feeling. The Geophysic is definitely the better off the two, however.
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Care to elaborate why it's a "yuck"?
And it's not a diver. Why is there the need to over build something that isn't built for that purpose. If you want to dive you aren't wearing a land watch like the above or an Explorer (for reference sake)
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Then why the locking crown? If not for improved water resistance, what purpose does it serve? If it's simply aesthetic, then it's an odd choice. It's barely noticeable to the casual glance, unlike, say, Panerai's crown lock. It impedes the functionality, since you have to unlock it every time you want to use the crown, unlike, say, Omega's HRV poking out on the Seamaster models, which is both distinctive and doesn't get in the way.
Otherwise, both models Graeme posted just don't excite me. Nothing particularly good or bad about either of them, which is my feeling on JLC watches in general. And at that price point, a reaction of "meh" should never happen. The designs should cause a reaction, good or bad; blandness is just a failure.
Obviously, that's just me, though…
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A crown lock does aid in water resistance but also functions to keep the crown engaged to the case. As far as the style goes, I would have to handle them. I can attest to the fact that many JLC watches have subtleties not often appreciated from online images. But again as you mentioned, taste is subjective so YMMV.
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I think that the attraction of a JLC watch is what's inside it. They've got a strong reputation for their movements, which, ironically in both of the above, are hidden by solid case backs.
The Geophysic does have a number of subtle touches, for example there are lume dots on the inside of the bezel. You can make them in the photo above. What you can't see is that the watch is shock resistant, antimagnetic, and keeps time well inside what's required for a Chronometer rating. Think of it as a dressier Rolex Explorer, or a rarer alternative to a Millgauss.
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My daily companion since 1996. a watch that can be worn with everything and will never be out of style (in my opinion).
Hi Cole, did the tip of the second hand fade to that colour? Lovely!! Mine from 2003 I think has different paint, so never faded.
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@Regular_zip
Yes, it faded quite a bit and is now almost the same color like the other pointers, but I don't mind.
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That really does look great, I hoped it wasn't just the light of the picture. I would see that as wonderful ageing of a lovely watch, much less a flaw, and more a point to really love.
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Did you guys see Zenith is going to start using outsourced movements in their low end watches?
A follow up from ABlogToWatch:
Jean-Claude Biver - the person who heads the watch division at LVMH - joked that you could probably rename the Zenith brand to "El Primero" given how important the in-house produced El Primero movements are to the brand's overall persona and marketing strategy. While there have been a few 2014 models released with Swiss Sellita movements rather than in-house made El Primero or Elite movements, what I hear is that such practices will stop. Being a producer of their own movement is really important to Zenith, and they will maximize that element of their brand as much as possible.
Panic over!
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I never tire of this one! -
I've got a Breitling that was allegedly fitted with a chronometer grade ETA movement. I last had it serviced in 2010 or 2011, and the timekeeping has got steadily worse.
When I last checked it in the middle of last year it was losing nearly 15 seconds a day, and the spec for a chronometer is -4 / +6. I don't know what it is now, but it seemed to be worse.
It's currently back with Breitling for a full overhaul so I can sell it on. They dropped me an email the other day about there being scratches on the antireflection coating, and I mentioned my timekeeping woes. Their reply was that a watch needs regular servicing to perform correctly.
Given the watch was last back with them over timekeeping in 2011, and had a full overhaul in 2010, am I being out of line in demanding that they actually sort the thing out properly? Or are they being fair in their assessment?
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Given the cost of their watches and the cost of servicing their response is absolute bullshit! If I were you I would be smashing some heads. Call me old fashioned but in this case I believe that if you pay a premium price, you should expect some premium service in return!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I agree that it's bs. I've heard that the typical recommended service interval is 4-5 years, but given the background on this, there's something wrong with your watch, and definitely something wrong with their response.
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Horseshit. My Omega Speedy is 8 years old and I've never serviced it, still keeps great time and has a great reserve.
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Given the watch was last back with them over timekeeping in 2011, and had a full overhaul in 2010, am I being out of line in demanding that they actually sort the thing out properly? Or are they being fair in their assessment?
I have a watch maker friend with me…...I just read your post out to him. He says you are not out of line, in fact far from it.
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Thanks. I'm not looking for a free service, or anything like that. I just want Breitling to have a look into the problem and fix it properly for once.
Incidentally, there's a video up about the Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic, which is probably going to be my next watch. If anyone is wondering why I like it so much…
