amanico
[JLC Moderator]
402140
Superb report, Blomman.
Like if I was there, once again!
The Heritage Gallery is a magic place, which allows you to see in real legends you only saw in pictures.
That is just astonishing.
I wish one day, we'll be able to take some pictures of this place.
Did you meet the Heritage Dept Team?
In 5 years, many things changed: The Manufacture is bigger, the Heritage Dept is born ( in 2007 ), and so on.
Can't wait to read your Part II!
Best, and thanks a lot for this refreshing post.
Nicolas
My return to the Promised Land, part #1
For a while I was very worried about the volcano aches but when the day finally arrived the sun was shining bright! The watch gods must think it was time for me to return to the Promised Land. A small group of watch enthusiasts gathered one early morning ...
I am really excited for you, Blomman
I am delighted you were able to return to the Promised Land for such a special visit. And I am a wee bit envious, too. That is a nice selection of JLCs on yours and your companions' wrists. Can't wait to see Part 2. respo
Don’t get envious, be a man of actions! ;-)
If you are going to Europe this summer maybe take a detour to the valley of gold…? Thanks, I will try to post the last parts this weekend. Best Blomman
Re: Return to the Promised Land
"A slice of heaven!" Hello Blomman! Awesome that you got a factory tour, more pics please! -MW (who is jealous of you but in a good way!)
More pics are on the way, MW! :)
I actually have too many so it’s difficult to choose witch one to post Best Blomman
Superb report, Blomman.
Like if I was there, once again! The Heritage Gallery is a magic place, which allows you to see in real legends you only saw in pictures. That is just astonishing. I wish one day, we'll be able to take some pictures of this place. Did you meet the Heritag...
The Heritage Dept Team?
Not really sure, don’t think so – I don’t speak French and most people I meet didn’t speak English… So some of the info I got might got lost in translation. Yes, a lot of changes, but still I recognised a lot as well. Actuall...
Welcome to The house of treasures
Blomman, Many thanks for sharing your visit with us. I too went and go there many times,, and, each time is special. Each time I discover small or big part parts of what JLC has always been about, a simple, humble and serious time manufacturer, to me The ...
The House of Treasures indeed! :)
There are so many of them that once or twice doesn’t give you the chance to fully appreciate all there is to see! I must go back – soon!! Thank you for your input and kind words. Best Blomman PS: More parts are on its way…
Hi Blomman
it is so great to feel from your word how an experienced collector like you can get excited at and inside the gates of The Source. It does not need the pictures you were not allowed to take. Just reading your word creates all the feelings you obviously ha...
Hi Martin
Good to hear that it’s enjoyable even with out the photos. Thank you for your kind words, but my problem is the lack of experience! That’s what I am trying to get by joining this great forum! More parts are on its way… Best Blomman
Thank you...
for sharing your experience with us..... Lokking forward to the next parts..... Hopefully I will be able to visit too.... Cheers
You should go!
It’s the PLACE to visit! The problem is that you will need to go often to have a chance to fully understand. This was my second visit, and I just scratched the surface… Best Blomman
Blomman, really enjoy reading your Part #1...
.... not to say anything more now, just want to say "where will be your Part #2 and Part #3 and so on coming???". by the way, this place that i must visit there one day in my life time! stefan
I agree with you, Stefan!
It’s a must Like the mountain climber must go up the mountain – this is JLC fans Everest Best Blomman
:), very nice Memovox International.
It looks great on your wrist, love it. Glad to see you enjoyed an unforgettable experience. I would love to visit the Promise Land, and I will, it's just a question of time. Thanks for sharing. Waiting for parts 2,3,4............... Best. Vte
You like the Memo Inter? :)
Thank you, Vte. I am more than satisfied whit it! It feel almost like a dressy Polaris… A trip to the Promised Land is time well spent; hope you will have the chance to go soon! Best Blomman
My return to the Promised Land, part #2
Continue from part #1: After the Heritage gallery my brain is almost fried! I pant and sweat, can barley speak… The others look at me and smiles, the must think I am crazy I need a shower! We go back to the entrance and in to a room for a break, I thought...
It brings back to nice " souvenirs "
This conference room was exactly the place where I took the pics of the 3 Hybris Mechanica for my review, and of some other marvels I will soon post. Did you make your 2 alarm watches ring into the safe, just for the childish fun of ours? Time flies, at t...
Oh no, I missed that!
How could I miss to put them in the safe to ring?! My only excuse is that I was distracted by all the marvellous watches I was shown… Now I have another reason why I have to go back to the La Grande Maison! As I needed one… Yes, time flies at ...
You got to see the Hybris!
Very cool that you got to see the Hybris safe, that ATMOS is nice too! -MW
love the pic with your two watches in the safe...
... impatient to ses your Part #3 soon stefan
My return to the Promised Land, part #3
Continue from part #2: OK, let’s skip ahead – time to check in at the hotel. At the room a “personal” letter from Mr. Lambert and some chocolate was waiting for me But all I could think of was to get a shower and some new clothes on… Felt like I just had ...
This is only.....
Your post is only getting better and better! Great stuff, looking forward to Part4! -MW
your Part #3 makes me getting very excited, Part #4 please!
Blomman,i cant imagine if i were you there to see those grande great pieces. i would totally be out of control... LOL great report Part #3! please keep feeding us... stefan
I will become to be addict to your reports, Blomman...
These pictures speak to my heart. It seems that we were at the same hotel. Funny to know that the Memovox is made in the " Specialités Hrologères " workshop, eeeh? Just beside the Duometres, the Minute Repeaters and the other " Holy Monsters ". Like you, ...
To know …
… that our beloved memovoxes are included in the " Specialités Hrologères " makes me very exited! It’s very unfortunate that I don’t speak French, when I was there I would liked to asked so many questions. Also expressed my gra...
My return to the Promised Land, part #4
Continue from part #3: OK, let’s continue… After a delicious lunch we head back to the Manufacture and it’s now the moment you all been waiting for starts… Time for the wood boxes – let the show start! First up, the ELII: It has been written a lot about t...
Blomman, I don't thank you...
I'm trying to take some distances from this watch, as it makes me think a lot... This wouldn't be reasonnable to order one more watch, this year. But the more I think about it, the more I appreciate its technicity. A modern technical toolwatch, to make it...
Hitting a nerve am I? :)
Sorry… If I am falling for it? Oh yes! That’s actually strange; aesthetically it is very far from what I normally go for. Normally I do for traditional looks and materials, but after seeing the ELII in the flesh I am totally smitten! Good look...
My return to the Promised Land, part #5
Continue from part #4: OK, this part is not for those with a weak heart… Respo, here is a special warning for you – brace your self, do not scream out loud! Personally I could almost not speak during the time of the event. JLC put on a display of their kn...
Thank you again....
These were expected when you visit such a great manufacturer...... My only objection is seeing some watches with diamonds (like the MMRs) which, in my opinion, do not match.... However JLC would not make them if there was not a demand for them.... Thanks ...
I agree with you, PP!
Such stunning watches don’t need and “bling” to shine! Only time I think it’s appropriate to “pimp” a watch is for the ladies… A beautiful ladies watch with some discreet stones I find very tasteful For a men̵...
I see...
A kind of massive attack... So, what do you think about the Duomètre à Quantième Lunaire? If JLC releases it, as I guess, in white metal... Well, you know how to fill the blank. Best, Nicolas
Well…
Mass attack, yes I wanted everybody who reads this to get the same feeling I got, so they understand my feelings I had… Lucky, lovely, crazy! About the Duomètre à Quantième Lunaire? I must say that it is a fantastic watch! Stunning an...
I missed these parts 2-5
...and now viewing them all together, I am dizzy. Thanks for posting all of this Blomman. I am really enjoying this! respo
Great to hear, Respo! :)
And so did and do I Dizzy from looking at the photos? Imagine how I felt during the show… Best Blomman
Is there more????
Ok, I don't know what to think about all of this...truly sensory overload. I really like the opportunity to see, even in photos, "sets" of watches like the several Squadras, the trio of Duometre Chronographs, etc. It must be great to see them in person li...
There are more on its way..! :)
Thank you for your input and kind words. Yes, the Pola 65 did actually raise some eyebrows during the visit You are into black/PVD/ceramic watches? Have you looked at the Squadra Chrono Ceramic? Looks very nice, and you would kill two birds with one stone...
I have considered that Reverso, Blomman
It is a looker, for sure. But, alas, it is not the one for me, I fear. I keep hoping for more from the Squadra line and I want to se what JLC does to advance this product line. I have lately been into black watches, but really only a few select ones. I li...
Personally, I prefer more traditional cases…
SS, TI, PL... and sometimes RG... But as always, if some one would like to give me one RS ceramic I would happily accept! Maybe wait until next years collection the 80 th anniversary?! See what JLC will do to celebrate the Reverso… Best Blomman
My return to the Promised Land, part #6
Continue from part #5 After seeing what I saw (part #5) you understand that I wasn’t really myself… I went from, Ah! Ohhh!! Arghh!!! Uhhg!!!! To numb… in like 30 seconds. My smile was from one ear to the other, I could not help my self, I smiled, I tried ...
You will kill us, Blomman...
You're a mercyless guy, my friend. But for once, I got my revenge, as it seems that you fell in love with the MMR... So, definitely convinced by this striking watch? Can't wait to see the definitive version of the Duometre à Q.L. Best, Nicolas
But for once…? :)
Hey, Mr Vlad – I would like to say… For once I am the one tempting you! The MMR – Oh, yes! It has been on my which list for a long time now… Best, my friend Blomman
Temptation is a mutual feeling, Blomman
Once is it is you, another time it is me... Best, my friend. Nicolas
Oh NO!
blomman, Don't drink coffee, it will only energize you to buy more JLC's! Not like there is anything wrong with that..... -MW
My return to the Promised Land, final part #7
I would like to start with thanking JLC and all people that has been involved planning, organizing and participating in this trip. A big and sincere thank you from the bottom of my heart! For me to be a part of this trip was… I can’t really describe in wo...
" A slice of Heaven " ...
That is exactly that! The good thing with JLC is that you don't have to sell your house to get a amximum of pleasure with some of their watches. The Memo, the Master Chrono, the NS Auto and the Grande Reverso are certainly part of this category. If you wa...
Yes, that is the good part…
That they are affordable… Because I am very fund of my kidneys! One day it would be very interesting to go to La Grande Maison together with other Purists… Thank you, my friend for your kind words! Best Blomman
A Collective visit of " La Grande Maison " ...
The Purists already made it, some 5 or 6 years ago. It would be great to do it again, between friends. Let's see what we can do... Best, Nicolas
Sorry to hear that I missed that…
That would have been a great trip to join! But maybe a new chance will come… Best Blomman
Sad to see this story come to an end.....
I've so enjoyed reading these multi-part stories and seeing the amazing pictures that I'm sad to arrive at the final part. I envy you, as I haven't had the pleasure of visiting the manufacture....... yet. Blomman, thanks for sharing your trip with us! Gre...
Well, unfortunately everything comes to an end…
Thank you, Greg for your kind words! I hope my story will encourage more JLC fans to make the trip… For the people that are not convinced of JLC’s love and passion for what they do, they will bee afterwards! To see with your own eyes the time ...
wonderful trip reports...
... Blomman, if i were you to have a chance of visiting MJLC and seeing and trying all these great pieces, i definitely be crazy too. i just revisited all your reports from #1 to #7, i can feel the same excitment and joy as you did in the visit at MJLC. w...
Thank you, Stefan!
Yes, it’s a magical place that will make your head spin! Hope you will have the chance to see the “La Grande Maison” soon! You won’t regret even if it’s a long trip from where you live… Best Blomman
A fantastic series of posts Blomman
Your excitement and enthusiasm shows in your posts. Thanks for these photos. I think you listed 12 watches that speak to you in your final post. If you could choose only one, what would it be? Regards, Richard.
My choice…
Thank you, Richard for your kind words! My choice if I could choose one? If I don’t have to think about the bill, my choice would be the Grande Sonnerie! Second place the Gyro I… The problem is that they are way out of my league… If I have to choose one a...
The impossible dream...
My pick would be the reverso gyrotourbillon 2. Regards, Richard.
The Gyrotourbillon 2…
Yes, that is another impossible dream… I had the chance to see that one in one of the workshops, very thick, but oh so nice Unfortunately I have no photos of the Gyro 2. But it is not as thick as the Triptyque but still a big one, see photo... Best ...