Advice on buying Jaeger Le Coultre

[Hedgeman]

2008 should soon see the birth of my third child and it's been something of a landmark year for me financially, so I'm looking to remember the occasion with a nice new watch. I'm no expert at all in timepieces - I've simply been wearing the same TAG SEL I bought duty-free for the past 8 years - so would be grateful for some advice.

After perusing many models on the internet I keep getting drawn back to the Jaeger Le Coultre Master Control series (the basic MC and the Calendar and Geographic models). They look beautifully built with lovely details, and very understated which appeals as I'm definitely not interested in anything too "in your face".

Does anyone have experience of these models and can comment on their quality and time-keeping ability? I understand they're dress-watches and it will be used as such. I'll still be keeping the TAG for washing the car etc!

Also what is the best way to purchase such a watch? New or second-hand (anyone recommend good dealers)? Internet dealers seem to be offering 20% off, but other sources suggest that these will be models with their id numbers ground off and with no warranty? Will wuch a watch bought outside of the authorised dealer network be impossible to service? If I turn up at an official JLC boutique and ask for 20% off will they look at me like some low-class pondlife and show me the door?

Lots of questions. Anwers to any of them would be gratefully received!

Thanks,

Gary.

[Asterix]

Can only help in that I'm extremely tempted to get a JLC Master Calender in rose gold. It is a lovely watch, well made and has a timeless design.

Very nice indeed.

[bloater27]

If you haven't already order a copy of there latest catologue its excellent.

[Hedgeman]

Thanks Bloater - just ordered a copy.

Asterix - that truly is gorgeous! (Though I think I'll have to limit expenditure to one of the stainless steel models.)

Gary.

[tertius]

I have a JLC Master Date:



Absolutely beautiful watch, superbly made, if JLC are not in the top tier of manufactures then they are only a shade behind them.

As for buying, I bought secondhand through timezone which is mainly US. If you prefer to buy through an AD I would certainly ask for a discount, what s the worst they can say?

[Vesuvius 996]

www.watches.co.uk in Chiswick.

Call them and ask for Dee or Tim.

[boxster9]

Asterix said:

Can only help in that I'm extremely tempted to get a JLC Master Calender in rose gold. It is a lovely watch, well made and has a timeless design.

Very nice indeed.

I was looking at the same model but in steel a few days go..have to agree the quality of design is superb. I was offered 20% discount by one of the watch stores on Bond Street but I don't think it was an authorized dealer

[bigbadbikercats]

boxster9 said:

I was looking at the same model but in steel a few days go..have to agree the quality of design is superb.

The thing I like about JLC is that the design and execution is so strong that they don't need precious metals or exotic materials - I think I actually prefer them in steel because there's nothing to distract from the sheer understated elegance. I don't do expensive watches[1] but a JLC Master Reserve De Marche in plain steel is one of the very, very, very few things which could just possibly turn my head...

[1] I find it more fun to search out vintage bargains from less exalted names[2], although I've somehow managed to pick up no less than 4 Omegas, a Zenith, a Universal, a Girard Perregaux, and a nice old Le Coultre "bumper" automatic along the way.

[2] I'm a sucker for '50s and early '60s Bulova automatics in particular - cheap as chips, fun to wear, and come in about a million different case designs, some of which are quite delightfully flambouyant...

--
JG

[Asterix]

I agree JG - My Glashütte is SS as I think it works better than the RG - However, I think the Master Calender in RG with the brown strap is actualy rather nice and would sit well in the collection.

[205lad]

Vesuvius 996 said:

www.watches.co.uk in Chiswick.

Call them and ask for Dee or Tim.

Their prices seem to be high on most things and they don't do much in the way of negotiation in my experience. You might be able to do better elsewhere.

[Jules360]

If you have a contact or are going there at some stage, Singapore is very cheap. I got a Master Compressor Chrono with a 35% reduction from an authorised dealer. You can then get the 3% sales tax refunded at the aiport.

[martin thomas]

I bought my jlc master compressor chrono a couple of months ago from leaths of taunton(jlc dealer) and got a very good discount. Very friendly people. I have worn the watch every day and absolutely love it. One of the best purchases i've ever made.

Martin

[RichB]

bigbadbikercats said:

I find it more fun to search out vintage bargains from less exalted names, although I've somehow managed to pick up no less than 4 Omegas, a Zenith, a Universal, a Girard Perregaux, and a nice old Le Coultre "bumper" automatic along the way.
JG

Out of interest, does anyone know if Jaeger made a chronograph in the 50's? I know about the Memovox and the Futurmatic but have never seen a 1950's Jaeger LeCoultre with a chronograph function ... ?

Edited by RichB on Sunday 25th January 10:32

[BigAlinEmbra]

http://www.watches.co.uk/watch.php?wid=7549S

Someone on here has one of these, and if he ever meets me in a darkened alley he'll be leaving with a bloodied stump at his wrist and missing the watch.
It's lovely.

[RichB]

Yes but that's modern and I dislike the modern trend for oversized watches... Swiss master-craftsmen spent 150 years miniaturising movements only for modern fashion to make them huge, I can't understand wanting to wear a heavy lump on your wrist. I prefer the discrete, understated look of 1950's watches.

Edited by RichB on Sunday 25th January 10:31

[martin thomas]

Still love my jlc!!looks better with the chro buttons locked though. Not red when locked.

Martin

Edited by martin thomas on Sunday 25th January 15:12

[BigAlinEmbra]

Oh, I forgot the most important pieces of advice when responding to the OP on "advice on buying a JLC".
Do it.
Do it now.

[mcgus]

BigAlinEmbra said:

http://www.watches.co.uk/watch.php?wid=7549S

Someone on here has one of these, and if he ever meets me in a darkened alley he'll be leaving with a bloodied stump at his wrist and missing the watch.
It's lovely.

yikes. that could be me!

I love the RDM in SS. So classic. But any of the JLC dress watches (including the reversos) are true beauties

[RichB]

mcgus said:

I love the RDM in SS. So classic. But any of the JLC dress watches (including the reversos) are true beauties

According to the blurb that one's 37mm dia. which is big but not too bad and I agree it's nice but I was wondering about 1950's chronographs, perhaps JLC never made any.

Edited by RichB on Sunday 25th January 19:25

[Asterix]

We have a problem! Between the car park and our favourite watering hole is a JLC Boutique!

The missus is so enamoured with her Duetto, she wants me to get a Duo. Never really been on my radar, the rectangle face thing, but she made me try on a rose gold, brown strap number. Looked superb! Been after a rose gold watch for a while and the added timezone face will help when travelling, which I do a bit.

Anyway, if you guys in the UK could see if there is anywhere where I could beat the folloing quote then I'd probably be willing to pull the trigger - even with max discount out here, we can't get close and as my Mum is over in 6 weeks, she could carry out the purchase for me.

http://www.thebrandedwatchcompany.co.uk/watchdescr...

Btw - looks thoroughly crap in the link.

Stop Press! Missus has seen this and wants this as well! http://www.thebrandedwatchcompany.co.uk/watchdescr...

What WIS monster have I unleashed in my wife to be!

Edited by Asterix on Sunday 25th January 18:30