Jaeger-LeCoultre

I've had the pleasure to acquire two vintage Jaeger-leCoultre watches since the beginning of this year.

I've not shown much of these watches as they need some work to recover their glorious lust.

They're in fact leaving this Tuesday for a full refit (hopefully).

I wanted to share with you my thoughts about these watches and what that may be missing in my small watch collection.

Nicolas (Amanico) made an excellent review on the Geomatic recently : jlc.watchprosite.com

So I won't come back on this excellent watch that I've had a great pleasure to wear on a day to day basis for a few weeks since I bought it! The size is still perfect for my taste, even when used to wear my large Polarises!  The watch is precise and practical. It is in fact close to the current Master Control that is inspired from this Geomatic. It adds the charm of the past to the modernity!

The vintage triple date with tear drop lugs is an old dream of mine. I've long tried to own one and am glad to finally have this one. I hope to find it back in perfect state before the end of the year (or probably next year). This case is the nicest example of what Jaeger-LeCoultre has produced in the forties. Of course the moon phase versions are even more appealing, but this one is not bad!

The Geomatic could be the best watch produced in the sixties by Jaeger-LeCoultre, and so I would have the best of two decades. In fact the Polaris is also a watch from the sixties so the Geomatic can't be said to be the best (but I have the Tribute). In fact that's not my main concern! My concern is what is between the forties and sixties. You bet?

My favourite Jaeger-LeCoultre watch of the fifties is obviously the Geophysic. The Geophysic is the perfect chronometric watch, the simple three hands, center seconds watch with a dream calibre: balance spring with Breguet terminal curve, swan neck regulator, hacking system, indirect seconds, manual wind calibre with a traditional design from the Vallee de Joux.

If Philippe Dufour had made the Simplicity with a central seconds hand it would have been the perfect absolute watch for me!

The Geomatic is the modern heir to the Geophysic: automatic, with the date. Better choices for the modern world, but less pure in terms of chronometrical symbolism.

We all of us and Jaeger-LeCoultre missed the 50^th anniversary of the Geophysic last year! Too bad!

Still we can do something to revive this old lady. In fact I would be happy to own an original Geophysic but I doubt it will ever happen. This watch is quite rare on the market.

I can also add that I doubt Jaeger-LeCoultre would ever re-issue a Geophysic like they did with the Polaris. The Geophysic would be too small by modern standards, perhaps not for us, but at least for the market, and the market is essential, of course!

Jaeger-LeCoultre could re-issue a larger Geophysic, but in fact I also confess that I mainly love the Geophysic for its calibre, concept and simplicity, not for its historical design. I can do with it, but I could do without.

Another brand offers a watch that could be a perfect modern interpretation of the original Geophysic.

This brand is in the family as it is Lange.

The Richard Lange is for me the best modern interpretation of the Geophysic Chronometre : http://alang.watchprosite.com/show-forumpost/fi-10/pi-2752116/ti-458731/s-0/

So I would not see the point of making a watch competing with the Richard Lange in the Jaeger-LeCoultre range. I don't see what could be done better than it is done by the Richard Lange.

What could be more appropriate would be in my opinion to offer a less formal watch, more rugged, for extreme use. You see where I'm going?

The main aspect of a "new" Geophysic would still be the calibre. Honestly Jaeger-LeCoultre doesn't have a calibre ready in the current production to equip such a watch.

There's one calibre that could be adapted to become such a chronometrical work horse.

You could have a look there: http://www.thepurists.net/Patrons/Members/wsw/jlc_at/jlc975finweb.htm

In fact the new Grande Reverso 976 made me think about this option: 

jlc.watchprosite.com -0/

The manual wind calibre of the new Grande Reverso could be brought back in round form, with a more appealing bridge design. So far it would not be too complicated.

The calibre should also adopt a balance spring with Breguet terminal curve. Jaeger-LeCoultre has such spring on the Master Tourbillon. Why not on a simple watch?

The main work would be to adapt an indirect central seconds hand on this small seconds calibre. Essential point!

When all that is done could I ask for a nickel silver (Maillechort) version, like with the Duometre calibre?

This could make the winning calibre. Please no date! No date! And no automatic winding.

Then we should choose a case to fit this calibre.

My choice would be for a Diving GMT 44mm case, rated to at least 300m if not 1000m! It could maybe be a bit thinner? Please!

This case already welcomes the automatic version of the calibre 975.

The bezel could be interchangeable, offering several options that the owner could modifiy depending on its needs. A diving bezel like on the Diving GMT, a geographic bezel with the cardinal points, a pulsometric scale and why not a tachymetric scale! Other ideas?

The straps and bracelets could be interchangeable too, with the Squadra Lady system.

I'm certainly going to lobby for this watch.

Anybody wants to join me?

Cheers

Dje