Jaeger-LeCoultre

sclamb
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I rate JLC up there...

The top four manufactures are well known, and have established their reputations over a very long period of time.  I believe that JLC has an equally good record, albeit they are regarded by many as on the second tier.

One question to ask is what makes a manufacturer in the top four, and what dictates that another one would be second tier?  Another question, on my own personal assumption that you get 95% of the quality at 50% or less of the cost with JLC versus the top four, is what are you getting for the additional 50-70% and how important is that to you as a buyer.

I have four JLC watches, a Reverso Date, an Amvox II, an EWC and a Squadra Hometime.  Each one is accurate to within +2 seconds or less per day.  Each one is designed and almost totally (other than straps and perhaps glass) manufactured in-house.  The finish is excellent but could be better in some areas, but that does not a) affect the accuracy of the watch, and b) is not something that I look at for more than a few seconds every few weeks (on those watches with exhibition backs).  The innovation shown in at least two of my watches is exceptional, and shows how much more active JLC is in pushing the horological boundaries than are some of the top four. 

So, by all the virtues that I look for in a watch, such as accuracy and design, JLC is way up there in the top four, and firmly sits with them at the top of the heap.

Now look at the Extreme LAB.  The horological equivalent of designing and manufacturing a car that does not need lubricants or servicing.  Can you imagine the impact that would have on the car industry!  Now innovation such as that, which will have an impact on the entire watch industry, not only puts JLC up into the top four, but IMHO puts JLC above the top four in the area of innovation.

Someone mentioned that JLC has lost its way with the current trend for sports watches and larger case sizes.  I absolutely disagree.  As a sports watch, the EWC is not only unique it is also fundamentally one of the most rugged sports watches out there.  It is not designed to be worn to the opera, it is for casual wear, and it is in that scenario that it fits beautifully.  It's size is purely a result of the ruggedness and strap mechanism that are incorporated in the watch.  It is not a big watch because JLC wanted to design big watch - it is big because it needs to be, and that is a BIG difference.

JLC has not lost direction, but rather it is a company that makes a watch the best it can be and explores new directions in design and technology.  If the case has to be big to achieve that, then the case will be big.  You can still get the Reverso and the Squadra is a more sporty Reverso.  I am sure we will see the Reverso line continue into future generations.  The Master Compressor series will continue as it is a fantastic line of sports watches.

My other watch is a Glashutte Original PanoMaticLunar.  Another brand I regard in the same way as JLC.  For 1/3 of the cost of a PP moonphase watch I got a rose gold case, solid silver dial, aesthetically beautiful, in-house made and stunningly accurate watch, with a finish on the movement that is 98% as good as PP.  The double swan neck is beautiful to behold!

I see no reason to invest in PP or Lange or VC or AP.  I have a dress watch and I have other watches.  They all tell the time accurately and they all appeal to me on different levels.  I buy watches to wear, not invest or seek to get my money back if I sell in the future, or to stare in awe at the movement for hours on end.  If I bought a PP, I would get the same accuracy and a bit better finish for three times the money.  Now, let me think - nah!!

JLC is perhaps the best bang for the buck out there in the horological world.  They have my respect and they have my custom, and if the rest of JLC's customers feel the way I do, then the future business success of the manufacture is guaranteed.

All IMHO of course

Simon