Quest for the Holy Grail of JLC

[yeti]

I have been posting randomly on several threads with my plan of parting with much (not all) of my collection to get a 'grail' watch; the Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Chronograph Cal.380.

Thought I'd start my own thread just to stop hijacking everyone elses

I have been collecting watches for about 15 years and at one point had amassed almost 40 of them; these were all Swiss mechanical watches considered around the 'medium end' of the spectrum. Although it was great owning them and genuinly taking ages to decide which one to wear, evertually it became obvious that I wasn't wearing all of them. Or even many of them

I have 3 newish purchases this year, a Fifty Fathoms Chrono, a Breguet 5707 and a Breguet Type XXI and the acquistion of those three brought into focus even more starkly how few of the others I wore. So it was time to go, and I won't pretend it isn't hard to sell a treasured possession for the thought of a distant and brighter watch future.

Last couple of weeks I have said goodbye to:

Rolex Explorer II which had been round the world with me many times and never let me down.
Breitling Spatiographe, a watch of genuine beauty and unusualness.
AMVOX II my constant copanion when driving my DB9 and just a great piece of engineering.

My IWC Flieger 3706 has just provisionally sold, the subject of this thread here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Hardly got to know it again at all which made it easy to be hard-hearted.

I have several more to go and need to raise about 5k from amongst this bunch; so I am still a way off
Reverso Gran Sport Retrograde Chronographe
Zenith Stratos Flyback Striking 10th
TAG Monaco 1998 Limited Edition (Heuer only on dial)
Dunhill Bobby Finder chrono
809 Cosmonaute
Heuer Carrera Cal 15 on bracelet

The problem is that when I get to 17-18k, will I have the stones to actually buy the watch? It would obviously be the largest non-4 wheeled/brick built purchase I have ever and probably will ever make. It's a scary prospect and one I would not have considered even a few months ago. No idea what changed...

Anyway, at least I don't have to hijack anymore threads as I can talk to myself on here

[obob]

I personally don't have the balls to spend more than 1k on a watch. I just keep thinking it's just a watch.

[MYOB]

obob said:

I personally don't have the balls to spend more than 1k on a watch. I just keep thinking it's just a watch.

A contradiction...a grand on "...just a watch".

Yeti - I wouldn't splash that amount on a watch from my savings but I would if I were selling a collection and used the proceeds. Thus go for it as it's clearly something you want and hopefully no net spend involved.

[tertius]

Have you tried one on? Do you know absolutely you want one and would wear it?

I spent what was for me, a fair bit on a "grail" - also a JLC, a Reverso Duo - and actually, lovely watch though it is I hardly ever wore it, so sold it on.

[Don1]

Getting a grail is a problem, as your goal is achieved. My grail was always a Crazy Hours.... Now it's an Urwerk 202.

[tuffer]

I cannot believe you even have to ask:

I would happily part with my IWC collection for one.

[marcelg]

Stay strong with your goal Lewis.
You must be around half way there now - I thought you would have traded the rest in by now.

Just remember that if you ever decide that the Duometre is not a keeper, you can always sell it on and then have the pleasure of building the collection again (or put towards the next Grail)

Still loving the Spatiographe

[chris56]

Can see myself doing something similar to yeti but in my case the watch will be Patek Philippe 5146P.
I don't have as big a collection as yeti in terms of number of watches but i aslo find that i don't wear certain watches at all.

[michael gould]

It will be the only watch I have ever been jealous of somebody owning......get the bloody thing bought and stop thinking about it.
It is truly one of the most stunning watches I have ever seen

[toohuge]

Yeti, I'm pretty sure AndrewD on here has that watch that you are looking for.

I'm sure if you bumped into him, he could convince you that you should take the plunge on this one.

The problem for me is that watches of these value open the market right up and your choice is just huge!

My all or nothing and then finish watch is a Richard Millie - just awesome.


Chris

[Vladimir]

Reminds me of a wall mounted barometer thingy which isn't a bad thing. Quite pricey aren't they?

Have you ever considered yourself stark raving mad Yeti?

[westberks]

you should consider it a crusade of sorts. i keep thinking to do the same thing but can't bring myself to sell pieces and then along the way add a few nice pieces that don't necessarily improve the overall collection.

i'll be watching with keen interest and thinking about a possible grail myself that might lead me to do something similar after years of considering it.

[FlyingTrotter]

They are lovely - I came close to getting the world special edition from the Paris boutique but the depreciation of JLCgold watches is just plain scary - looked at the Duo on Blowers (still there I think) and it reinforced that £30k+ becomes £18k as you leave the shop

They are great (if you like the second hand and don't find it makes the watch too busy) but the depreciation on a gold watch (pretty well all of them) took me to a JLC in the Master Control range

Each to their own and if it excites you then go for it - it's your money after all

[FlyingTrotter]

Yep Blowers have one in Pink gold - £30k new - up for £19'500 but been on for a few months

[yeti]

FlyingTrotter said:

Yep Blowers have one in Pink gold - £30k new - up for £19'500 but been on for a few months

That's possibly the one I will be going for! Not even considering buying new, there are a couple of well priced ones in and around Geneva. I might just jump in the car when I have the cash and do a little driving tour before it gets too cold... On the other hand, a day return flight to Geneva is probably easier, quicker and cheaper than going to Hull!

[yeti]

tertius said:

Have you tried one on? Do you know absolutely you want one and would wear it?

I spent what was for me, a fair bit on a "grail" - also a JLC, a Reverso Duo - and actually, lovely watch though it is I hardly ever wore it, so sold it on.

Tertius, I tried one on and wore it for a while (as long as they'd let me in fact!) at the JLC manufacture so I am familiar with it. Size wise, function wise and with a little bit of a special history for me behind it, it seems to be the perfect watch.

The ALS Datograph is the only other thing I am considering, but not very much. I have never even seen one, that is purely based on pictures and hyperbole about how wonderful it is. The Duometre represents a step change in chronographs with it's dual-wing system. It is very special, not merely attractive and expensive.

I am gratful for any and all input however gents, so keep it coming...

[yeti]

Don1 said:

Getting a grail is a problem, as your goal is achieved.

There will always be another, let's face it

[Don1]

I really hope not - there's nothing I really WANT after a 202!

[yeti]

MYOB said:

...if I were selling a collection and used the proceeds. Thus go for it as it's clearly something you want and hopefully no net spend involved.

Have made it very clear to the OH that there is zero spend of cash involved. Bloody hard work and slightly depressing selling a bunch of watches though

[yeti]

Vladimir said:

Have you ever considered yourself stark raving mad Yeti?

So has Mrs Yeti.