New watch...IWC or JLC?

[thegobetween]

Well, I've decided over the weekend to buy a new watch, will be my everyday wearer and I'd like it to be discreet so I've boiled it down to an IWC Vintage Aquatimer or a JLC AMVOX 1R.

I love JLC as a brand, they seem to be one of the very few true manufacturers, and the AMVOX has a really individual style; my only reservation is the link with Aston Martin (I don't know why but I'm never keen on this type of marketing association) and maybe a leather strap for an everyday watch(?)

The IWC is lovely, and I tried it on for the first time yesterday (the 're-issues' seem quite rare), I think the only thing that stopped me was I have been dreaming of a JLC for at least a year now, and trying to gauge in my mind where the IWC brand sits in the watch world? I've loved the visual style of many IWC's for years, and there's a few in the range I'd like to own.

I think both send the right message of a 'watch lover', with discretion.





What do you guys think? (especially on how the brands / watches compare...)

Andy

Edited by thegobetween on Sunday 25th January 19:17

[PaulHogan]

Personally I would rate JLC as (at least) half a division ahead of IWC in terms of brand and reputation. However - again my opinion - the IWC you have shown does it for me much more than the JLC.
At the end of the day if it's going to a watch you intend to wear daily then you should not be swayed by brand or reputation but get the watch you like the most for its' own sake. After all, you'll be the one looking at it...

[tertius]

JLC is definitely a tier or two above IWC. IWC make wonderful watches but they aren't quite up there with JLC in my opinion. JLC only use totally in-house movements, they have supplied movements to just about everyone, they are prolific at developing new movements. And their watches are just beautiful.

[Asterix]

thegobetween said:

Well, I've decided over the weekend to buy a new watch, will be my everyday wearer and I'd like it to be discreet so I've boiled it down to an IWC Vintage Aquatimer or a JLC AMVOX 1R.

I love JLC as a brand, they seem to be one of the very few true manufacturers, and the AMVOX has a really individual style; my only reservation is the link with Aston Martin (I don't know why but I'm never keen on this type of marketing association) and maybe a leather strap for an everyday watch(?)

The IWC is lovely, and I tried it on for the first time yesterday (the 're-issues' seem quite rare), I think the only thing that stopped me was I have been dreaming of a JLC for at least a year now, and trying to gauge in my mind where the IWC brand sits in the watch world? I've loved the visual style of many IWC's for years, and there's a few in the range I'd like to own.

I think both send the right message of a 'watch lover', with discretion.





What do you guys think? (especially on how the brands / watches compare...)

Andy

Edited by thegobetween on Sunday 25th January 19:17

Both good brands - some of the best in fact. Not sure if the IWC has a Manufacture movement but many will say that by the time they're finished with the ETA stock movement, it is modified enough to be classed as IWC's movement.

If pure brand recognition is your requirement, then I'd say that IWC probably nips it at the moment. Not my reason for buying a watch but I respect it if it's yours. The JLC will probably be more of a WIS choice.

I personaly prefer the JLC (and love the strap) though wouldn't be unhappy if the IWC was given as a pressie.

[whoami]

I would agree. The IWC is a lovely piece but the quality of JLC is higher. You really would have to spend a fair bit more to get a better made watch.

I am currently struggling to choose a new watch from 3 JLC's pieces. I spent a fair amount of time in the AD's on Saturday but could not make a decision.

[Asterix]

whoami said:

I would agree. The IWC is a lovely piece but the quality of JLC is higher. You really would have to spend a fair bit more to get a better made watch.

I am currently struggling to choose a new watch from 3 JLC's pieces. I spent a fair amount of time in the AD's on Saturday but could not make a decision.

Just spent 1.5hrs in our local JLC Boutique and tried on over 15 watches! Missus wants me to get a Duo and I have to say it looked stunning on - would never have thought it.

[whoami]

Asterix said:

whoami said:

I would agree. The IWC is a lovely piece but the quality of JLC is higher. You really would have to spend a fair bit more to get a better made watch.

I am currently struggling to choose a new watch from 3 JLC's pieces. I spent a fair amount of time in the AD's on Saturday but could not make a decision.

Just spent 1.5hrs in our local JLC Boutique and tried on over 15 watches! Missus wants me to get a Duo and I have to say it looked stunning on - would never have thought it.

Funnily enough it was Mrs Whoami who got me looking at Reverso's too. I hadn't actually thought of it before.

Decisions, decisions....

[Asterix]

whoami said:

Asterix said:

whoami said:

I would agree. The IWC is a lovely piece but the quality of JLC is higher. You really would have to spend a fair bit more to get a better made watch.

I am currently struggling to choose a new watch from 3 JLC's pieces. I spent a fair amount of time in the AD's on Saturday but could not make a decision.

Just spent 1.5hrs in our local JLC Boutique and tried on over 15 watches! Missus wants me to get a Duo and I have to say it looked stunning on - would never have thought it.

Funnily enough it was Mrs Whoami who got me looking at Reverso's too. I hadn't actually thought of it before.

Decisions, decisions....

OT question - did your missus have any part to play in your Aston? I'm thinking of either sending my Cayman S over to RUF in Bahrain to be breathed on (to upset a lot of people ), look at the next GT3 coming out but she'd like me to get the AM V8 (coz it looks nice...). I know it's a great car and one I'm considering.

Just wondered.

[whoami]

Asterix said:

whoami said:

Asterix said:

whoami said:

I would agree. The IWC is a lovely piece but the quality of JLC is higher. You really would have to spend a fair bit more to get a better made watch.

I am currently struggling to choose a new watch from 3 JLC's pieces. I spent a fair amount of time in the AD's on Saturday but could not make a decision.

Just spent 1.5hrs in our local JLC Boutique and tried on over 15 watches! Missus wants me to get a Duo and I have to say it looked stunning on - would never have thought it.

Funnily enough it was Mrs Whoami who got me looking at Reverso's too. I hadn't actually thought of it before.

Decisions, decisions....

OT question - did your missus have any part to play in your Aston? I'm thinking of either sending my Cayman S over to RUF in Bahrain to be breathed on (to upset a lot of people ), look at the next GT3 coming out but she'd like me to get the AM V8 (coz it looks nice...). I know it's a great car and one I'm considering.

Just wondered.

She did actually! She likes cars too and preferred the Aston over the other choices.

Give the Aston a good test drive as it's not an "instant" sort of car (well it wasn't to me anyway). On my 2nd one and still loving them.

The 4.7 is too quiet compared to the 4.3 so it's going in to have a Quicksilver fitted tomorrow.

[thegobetween]

Cheers for the replies so far! I wouldn't buy a watch purely on the brand recognition, but I would like to invest in something I can totally appreciate, the JLC brand gives me more feedback in this area.

I spent over an hour in Berry's on Saturday, I really enjoyed the experience! (and could have spent a fortune!)

interesting no one has mentioned the Aston link, as positive or negative...

[Number 7]

I've gone through the same question myself (not these models though). Despite IWC producing some fantastic pieces, what finally swung it for me was the fact that the JLC's use in-house movements.

As for motoring associations, I think manufacturers are limiting their market: I would never consider a Ferrari GP or Bentley Breitling or Porsche whatever unless I actually owned the car in question - and then only maybe!
A little too wannabee IMVHO. The watch should speak for itself.

7.

Edited by Number 7 on Sunday 25th January 19:53

[Asterix]

whoami said:

Asterix said:

whoami said:

Asterix said:

whoami said:

I would agree. The IWC is a lovely piece but the quality of JLC is higher. You really would have to spend a fair bit more to get a better made watch.

I am currently struggling to choose a new watch from 3 JLC's pieces. I spent a fair amount of time in the AD's on Saturday but could not make a decision.

Just spent 1.5hrs in our local JLC Boutique and tried on over 15 watches! Missus wants me to get a Duo and I have to say it looked stunning on - would never have thought it.

Funnily enough it was Mrs Whoami who got me looking at Reverso's too. I hadn't actually thought of it before.

Decisions, decisions....

OT question - did your missus have any part to play in your Aston? I'm thinking of either sending my Cayman S over to RUF in Bahrain to be breathed on (to upset a lot of people ), look at the next GT3 coming out but she'd like me to get the AM V8 (coz it looks nice...). I know it's a great car and one I'm considering.

Just wondered.

She did actually! She likes cars too and preferred the Aston over the other choices.

Give the Aston a good test drive as it's not an "instant" sort of car (well it wasn't to me anyway). On my 2nd one and still loving them.

The 4.7 is too quiet compared to the 4.3 so it's going in to have a Quicksilver fitted tomorrow.

Haha - Scary! Sounds all too familiar.

Seems we are blessed with lovely ladies

Just told her about this (she laughed) and is asking whether or not you're going to get the Reverso?

I think I probably will (mainly because she said, and you have to love her for this, that the Reverso is unique and would complement the collection right now - you can go and buy any old 'normal' round watch later on).

Lange here we come! Later on, of course.

[whoami]

thegobetween said:

interesting no one has mentioned the Aston link, as positive or negative...

I wouldn't buy one (the watch that is!), and it seems not a lot of other folk do either.

They sit in stock for ages (literally years) so make sure that you get a massive discount if you do go for one of the more obviously branded Aston models.

[whoami]

Asterix said:

whoami said:

Asterix said:

whoami said:

Asterix said:

whoami said:

I would agree. The IWC is a lovely piece but the quality of JLC is higher. You really would have to spend a fair bit more to get a better made watch.

I am currently struggling to choose a new watch from 3 JLC's pieces. I spent a fair amount of time in the AD's on Saturday but could not make a decision.

Just spent 1.5hrs in our local JLC Boutique and tried on over 15 watches! Missus wants me to get a Duo and I have to say it looked stunning on - would never have thought it.

Funnily enough it was Mrs Whoami who got me looking at Reverso's too. I hadn't actually thought of it before.

Decisions, decisions....

OT question - did your missus have any part to play in your Aston? I'm thinking of either sending my Cayman S over to RUF in Bahrain to be breathed on (to upset a lot of people ), look at the next GT3 coming out but she'd like me to get the AM V8 (coz it looks nice...). I know it's a great car and one I'm considering.

Just wondered.

She did actually! She likes cars too and preferred the Aston over the other choices.

Give the Aston a good test drive as it's not an "instant" sort of car (well it wasn't to me anyway). On my 2nd one and still loving them.

The 4.7 is too quiet compared to the 4.3 so it's going in to have a Quicksilver fitted tomorrow.

Haha - Scary! Sounds all too familiar.

Seems we are blessed with lovely ladies

Just told her about this (she laughed) and is asking whether or not you're going to get the Reverso?

I think I probably will (mainly because she said, and you have to love her for this, that the Reverso is unique and would complement the collection right now - you can go and buy any old 'normal' round watch later on).

Lange here we come! Later on, of course.

I think we may be married to the same person!

I got the same comments about buying "another round watch".

The prices go up tomorrow (at least in the UK) so make a decision quickly.

[Asterix]

whoami said:

Asterix said:

whoami said:

Asterix said:

whoami said:

Asterix said:

whoami said:

I would agree. The IWC is a lovely piece but the quality of JLC is higher. You really would have to spend a fair bit more to get a better made watch.

I am currently struggling to choose a new watch from 3 JLC's pieces. I spent a fair amount of time in the AD's on Saturday but could not make a decision.

Just spent 1.5hrs in our local JLC Boutique and tried on over 15 watches! Missus wants me to get a Duo and I have to say it looked stunning on - would never have thought it.

Funnily enough it was Mrs Whoami who got me looking at Reverso's too. I hadn't actually thought of it before.

Decisions, decisions....

OT question - did your missus have any part to play in your Aston? I'm thinking of either sending my Cayman S over to RUF in Bahrain to be breathed on (to upset a lot of people ), look at the next GT3 coming out but she'd like me to get the AM V8 (coz it looks nice...). I know it's a great car and one I'm considering.

Just wondered.

She did actually! She likes cars too and preferred the Aston over the other choices.

Give the Aston a good test drive as it's not an "instant" sort of car (well it wasn't to me anyway). On my 2nd one and still loving them.

The 4.7 is too quiet compared to the 4.3 so it's going in to have a Quicksilver fitted tomorrow.

Haha - Scary! Sounds all too familiar.

Seems we are blessed with lovely ladies

Just told her about this (she laughed) and is asking whether or not you're going to get the Reverso?

I think I probably will (mainly because she said, and you have to love her for this, that the Reverso is unique and would complement the collection right now - you can go and buy any old 'normal' round watch later on).

Lange here we come! Later on, of course.

I think we may be married to the same person!

I got the same comments about buying "another round watch".

The prices go up tomorrow (at least in the UK) so make a decision quickly.

Haha - is she Indian, small and stunning with great norks?

Regarding the prices - perhaps we'll have to see if anything happens significantly, weigh it up with the prices here ($ based currency) and then make a decision. As I mentioned on another thread - I have family coming over in March and could wire them the cash and get them to do the business.

[Peter G]

Lets be honest, your going to be over the moon with either lol, but for me the JLC has a more attractive look and the brand image is a bit more upmarket.

[wazza]

Have you considered a Chopard L.U.C. MK III (COSC certified in house movement & awarded the Seal of Geneva) or maybe a Girard Perregaux?

Edited by wazza on Sunday 25th January 22:55

[Antarctic Mat]

Hi.

That IWC is just stunning, have you seen one like that for sale anywhere? I'd like to try one but can't find that model on any of the sites on the web, if anyone could point me in the right direction I'd very much appreciate it.

Thanks!

Mat.

[AB]

IWC wins my heart too - it's fantastic.

[olic]

JLC for me easily Like that vintage aquatimer though, but how about the JLC tribute to polaris with beautiful alarm function sounds amazing