Discussion
Charcoal6666collector's provocative post initiates a crucial discussion about Jaeger-LeCoultre's brand strategy, particularly concerning its minute repeaters and the concept of 'limited editions.' This thread delves into the perceived quality and market value of JLC timepieces, inviting a robust debate among collectors about the brand's direction. It offers valuable insights into how enthusiasts evaluate luxury watch brands beyond initial retail prices.
JLC, Jaeger Lecoultre has long been known to us watch enthusasists for its outstanding innovation in its technology and meticulous in it artistic designs. It is not uncommon to hear the passionistas of Patek Phillipe admiting the beauty of JLC.
After weeks of intensive information research of the brand, and veiwing their timepieces at the boutiques. I am afraid to say... perhaps in the coming future, JLC's former high quality standard might have tipy-toe down a few stairs. This is by no mean an attempt to devalue the image or reputation of the brand, this is simply based on personal experiences, observations and data searching.
There is a famous series amongst the JLC timepieces, which are the Master minute repeaters. Often than not, they are either skeletonised or semi-skeletons *(Platinum version). Most of them are made as Limited edition of 75 to 200 pieces for each variation, the cases might come in gold, white gold, platinium or titanium, and some with diamond engraved or installed with oyster dial. **(titanium case produces the worst sound somehow)
Each and everyone of them is embedded with the JLC calibre 947 movement. These minute repeaters do produce a lovely sound, wonderfully crisp, and very clear. Creating a pleasant resonance when the hammers strike what JLC named "Crystal gong". To me, out of all the minute repeater sounds i have heard so far, I would say JLC ranks 2nd out of all brands, please listen to the sound on youtube. The No.1 being Seiko Credor GBLQ998, which i also recommed you to hear it on youtube, you wont regret it. The worst is the IWC, most awful sound ever.
Anyway my point is, the sales staffs at JLC just like the staff of any other brands would claim how unique these minute repeaters are. Well... its their job to sell you whatever they are selling, claiming the fact that they are limited editions make them worth keeping, the price was around USD $240,000. Well...no offence to JLC and its staffs, but we have all heard the "Limited Edition" pitch one too many times. Like I mentioned earlier how these models would come in different metallic cases and slight design variations, all with the same movement. We can imagine how many of them were actually produced, after looking at all the JLC minute repeater models, it is estimated that there are at least more than 1200 or even more being produced from time to time. How is that supposed to be branded as "Limited edition"?
At Christie auctions, the JLC platinium master minute repeated was hammered off for only USD $74,500 which has already included the premium for the auction house. Priced USD$240,000 with only the value of USD $74,500, here you go, "Price vs Value" they are two total different things which often got overlooked by inexperienced watch buyers, and quite a lot has the misconception of "The more you pay, the better you get".
The Seiko Credor GBLQ998 is only produced 3 each year in Japan due to its extreme complex mechanical structure, that deserves the true title of "Limited edition" and Seiko never marketed it to be sold world wide in large numbers.
There was an interview between Purist Pro and Jerome Lambert, CEO of JLC back in April 2009. Asides the usual cliches, fancy statements and beating around the bush from the CEO, what he said has actually implied that his policy for the future of JLC, is more profit oriented "Quantity over Quality" , these 2 factors always come head to head against each other by nature. When questioned about the departure Eric Coudrey one of JLC s senior designers who designed the Gyrotourbillion 1, Jerome simply dismissed him as someone who is totally expendable. I m guessing it probably a clash of designer ideal and corporate strategy.
It is totally understandable, as we look at the Richemont group which owns many other luxury brands has been taking over many outsider brands over the years. An aggressive tiger is always a hungry tiger which requires alot of food to sustain itself. There is no wonder why the corporate s overall strategy has to lower its quality to an extent in someway while increasing the figure on the price tags.
JLC is still a great watch making company, but here is a trend we might have to put some thoughts into. Obviously, the definition of worthiness varies greatly in everyone's value system, however for a friendly advice, when it comes to high end watches, dont just focus on the name or fancy design, think deeper into the value over price. Obviously, the definition of worthiness varies greatly in everyone's value system.
I hope this has been a useful opinion for the readers, and if you are reading this, thank you for your time, greatly appreciated.
Your sincerely
Kazzarino LaMon
I say MMR, not MGT MR, here. I estimated at around 1000 the number of MMR made, which is, in my opinion, too much for a LE ( LEs, should we say, as there were several versions of the MMR ), and too much for such an elitist complication. I totally agree with you on this point. And JLC should avoid that, I am firmly convinced of that. Something tells me that they realized that, and that, in the future, that point may well change. Now, I disagree on other points such as: 1/ The titanium MMR has the
Hello Really appreciate your opinions. I usually like to reply as soon as possible, but lately there has been some family health issues, all my interests and passions have to be put aside til things are settled down, so sorry about that. I m glad you also see the fact that JLC had been basically producing the same watch under different skin/cases for too many times, almost like "cloning art" than "Creating Art". Dont get me wrong, I am also very fond of JLC, i really do admire their efforts int
I saw a Memovox E 855 going for 20 K CH Fr... Does that mean that the E 855, even with a black dial, always goes for that price? The last two MMR Ti I saw for sale came for much more than the price you mentionned. I saw once, a RG MMR sounding very bad. does that mean that all the RG MMR sound the same? By far, no! I heard many others sounding deliciously. RG or WG. As I saw many MMR Ti sounding very nicely. I still think that the most important is to know how much we do love a watch, JLC or not
I think JLC made the right step 5 years ago hiring a "decoration" department (so-called), a staff that hand-finishes and decorates the movements, like the Duo-Meters. I think that the "quality" will overall go up in coming years. I DO know that JLC has its sights firmly placed on Patek, and that, auction-manipulation aside, JLC is probably the only brand that can do it due to its great, deep horological resources and heritage. A great marketing strategy is the main thing that stands in the way.
... and that's honors you, always nice to feel passion for a brand. But allow me to correct on some points. With a conversation with top management of JLC, they told me that their strategy wasn't to compete in the same pool where there is already many players, which are ahead like Patek, Lange, AP, VC, etc... But the goal was to be leaders in other fields, where research and development will make them stand apart. In a way they did, when you look at the gyro and how even that evolved it with the
As for the thickness of the case, it is also due to the thickness of the movement, the Cal 38x... As for the finish of the movement, well, I can only say that I would love to get another one... Or two. ;) Best, Nicolas
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