40th BD - Rolex Explorer or Jaeger LeCoultre Master Control?

[rumbletum]

I'm going to treat myself to a nice new classically styled watch for my 40th. I've been looking for a while and have decided that the Rolex Explorer and JLC Master Control are what I like best. I've tried both on today and cannot choose between them!

Which would you choose, and why?

Or are there any alternatives that I may have missed? I can spend up to say £6k. I like simple clean designs that will hopefully age well, my current collection includes a NOMOS Club, a Longines Clous de Paris and a Tag Heuer Carrera.

[Ikemi]

Tough decision, but a lovely decision to have to make! Even though I prefer JLC to Rolex as a brand, add to the fact that the Master Control has a stunning movement with display back, out of the above I'd opt for the Rolex on looks

[andy tims]

JLC

[philcray]

simple, classy, understated but still making a statement, has to be the Rolex for me....

[sneijder]

The end links on the JLC aren't doing it for me.

[FarmyardPants]

I can't imagine ever tiring of looking at the Explorer. Want!

[ApexJimi]

Strictly out of those two choices, I'd go for the Explorer.

As much as I love JLC, that particular watch does nowt for me.

[Johno]

There are much nicer JLC's and why is Rolex having to write it's name on the rehaut as well as the face etc, that's not classy, it's OTT bling.

Forced, under duress, knife to my throat I would take the JLC as it a much more under stated watch, but it does little for me.

Not sure sure what this statement that people talk about is, I don't wear watches to make statements. Can you explain what the statement the Rolex is making, seriously, intrigued by the counternance of the views?

[Ikemi]

£6K is Glashutte Original territory, or D.Dornbluth&Sohn and a nice holiday

http://www.dornblueth.com/
http://www.glashuette-original.com/

Some of the Glashutte watches are above your budget, but check out the Panomatic range ... For some reason the Panomatic watches are not listed on their website (Discontinued?), but browse www.chrono24.com for more examples of what I mean.

Also, one last thing. Take a look at the display back of the Panomatic ... It's watch porn.

[al1991]

Explorer.

[996nick]

I am a big JLC fan, but of those 2 particular models, I'd go for the explorer. The JLC doesnt look right on that bracelet somehow.

[snapper seven]

Yeah I don't know why but that particular JLC just looks a little 'feminine' to me.

Explorer is

Cheers
SS

[Sideways Rich]

Ikemi said:

£6K is Glashutte Original territory, or D.Dornbluth&Sohn and a nice holiday

http://www.dornblueth.com/
http://www.glashuette-original.com/

Some of the Glashutte watches are above your budget, but check out the Panomatic range ... For some reason the Panomatic watches are not listed on their website (Discontinued?), but browse www.chrono24.com for more examples of what I mean.

Also, one last thing. Take a look at the display back of the Panomatic ... It's watch porn.

Glashuette look very classy indeed, do they hold their value well?

[Johno]

Sideways Rich said:

Glashuette look very classy indeed, do they hold their value well?

why do you buy a watch, to sell it? They all lose money, but I imagine GO no better than average. Rolex will be best probably . . ....

I love my Glashutte, it's not going anywhere

[Goosy]

Rolex rehaults are engraved to try and counter fake copies.

[Johno]

Goosy said:

Rolex rehaults are engraved to try and counter fake copies.

Really, cos that'll stop em

Not sure it's the first port of call I'd take ....

[B160 AVE]

Rolex all the way for me, not feeling the bracelet on the JLC at all.

[Miguel Alvarez]

The Rolex out of those two for me.

[DS3R]

I can't see the pics from work, which is not ideal.

Suffice to say I always struggle to understand why someone who wants a memento for an occasion as important as a major birthday would want a watch that *anyone* could have.

Basically, if you want to look like everyone else, and are concerned about residuals, buy a Rolex. Over a million people a year do how's THAT for individuality! It's a sensible choice, especially if you want to own something nice and will swap it on in a short while- you can almost guarantee a "no loss" financially, and of course we all know about the excellence of build quality and timekeeping.

A Rolex will make you feel GOOD.

Alternatively, because you are buying this for a special occasion- where I would hope you would not be looking to move it on, buy something far rarer, from a niche manufacturer, that someone who wears a Rolex will either be interested in talking to you about (because they are a WIS) or will be totally dismissive about (because they know nothing about watches, You can often tell these from afar- the bracelet doesn't fit because they don't know they cam have them resized).

A JLC wil make you feel GREAT. And you can't put a price on that.

[paulwd]

This is going to sound weird I know. Bought my Explorer because it reminded me of a 1960's timex.