Ilja
188
What a joke in a double sense...
First , as I told our dear Moderator and host, he is doing support marketing, which is on record here, what he tried to trivialize... with full full blow back within hours me thinks. Never ever on Richemont's pay roll. 
Second , a watch that is hailed as one of JLC's historic flagships as a CHRONOMETRE, a handwind watch, a mechanical work horse, a scientific instrument, a watch without any bling bling posh surrounding, is now turned into money cow without any significance. Not even INDEPENDENTLY tested for accuracy and therefor coming without a COSC Chronometer grade. Than this damn thing is powered by a plain automatic, while the most important feature of hacking or not is kept as an open question for some periode of time...
Producing a dedicated new movement for 1000 watches would have increased the price dramatically? You are kidding me!
It's vice versa, taking a [nearly] standard thingy increases the profit.
Or as a former JLC employee confessed to me, since the day Günther Blümlein passed away, the brand lost all it's soul and turned into a investment cow without significance for customer needs and satisfaction.
This watch is a bad joke, nothing more nothing less, messed up a classic design with an ugly dial, this bold JL alone make it an aesthetic no-go, not to speak about the unbalanced Geophysic labeling.
A declaration of bankruptcy in taste.
I.
Jaeger-LeCoultre SIHH 2014: Tributes To Geophysic, the Review.
Geophysic... That is a name which sounds like honey for every Jaeger-LeCoultre Fan. Let me fist sum in a few lines what was the Geophysic, to better understand the Tribute. Born in 1958 to celebrate the International Geophysic Year, made for scientists an...
You posted two minutes early! :)
Well, you caught me off guard with the SS cross hairs. I did not mention due to the embargo, but there was an error by JLC on their website. If you googled Jaeger and Geophysic, it brought you to a page which showed the RG and the Platinum. When the Puris...
It was not a well kept secret, indeed. ;)
But at least, the Boutiques which allowed ( ??? !!! ) their clients to take pictures of an internal document ( ! ) showed the Pt version, only... With some mistakes, such as a sapphire case back, for example... Best, and congratulations in advance! Nicola...
small correction Nico
If you are referring to my original post, I did not post any pictures of the sapphire back . I was aware of the different metals and the production numbers. Cheers,dreamer
No, I was not referring to you, but to many fellows who sent me PMs
About the Geophysic, and these fellows asked me if it was true that the Geophysic had a sapphire case back! Best, my friend. Nicolas
Well,...
My initial thoughts are: - I would have preferred a manual movement. - I would have preferred a Chronometre instead of the name on the dial . - I would have preferred plexi. - I love the size, the dots on the inside of the crystal.. - Finally we see a bet...
I agree with all your points and one more
I really liked the black on the back. But, I am not complaining. Just looking forward to wearing it! Best, Joe
The sticker...
I see as a minor problem... I am used to be without it on the back... ;) Then I am more bugged about the "GEOPHYSIC" on the dial... One big part of the Geophysic character and charm is the some what badly printed "CHRONOMETRE" on the dial... What I mean i...
Or a Chronometer stating that it is a Chronometer. :)))
No, more seriously, I tend to agree ith you, on that matter, but since it is not a Chronometer, it is not allowed to write this mention on the dial... And the Geomatic name was on the Geomatic dial... So, all in all... Best, Blomman. Nicolas
Well, the plexy is very low on the original, so I don't care that much about a sapphire.
I would have much preferred a manual movement, yes. And Chronometer, even better... BUT maybe they gave it a fine adjustement? Best, my friend, and thanks for your input. Nicolas
But you are used to ...
A higher plexi - I am not...! ;) About the name - see my reply to Joe... Best, my friend - and again, thank you for a great report! Blomman
A time waited for so long has come
Hi Nicolas, Tonight marks the end of several years of discussion. And the beginning of many others... :-) I'm quite happy with the outcome, as I see it as a very well balanced compromise between the ideal Tribute to Geophysique (but probably unsoldable, a...
I love your last paragraph, Jerome.
We should pay an hommage to those who were involved in the JLC History, hence one of the goals of my article on the Chronometry... And to the Godfather who left JLC recently, too, of course. Those Tributes, and expecially the stainless steel one, could we...
You are on fire my friend!!!
As well as JLC After chronometry post this....what's next??? Screaming of joy already :) This is awesome Although I'm rose gold guy I must say that Pt tribute is best by margin in my eyes Splendid times ahead So you got No 7 Pt you Devil??? ;) :) Sincerel...
Enfin !.. Attractive icon .. Careful re-edition.. With lots of feel for the DNA ! :)
This is just a first spontanous response, as I have already read your post twice, and will re-read it soon, I am sure.. 1/ Many of us here have been hoping very much for a TT Geophysic, several had and will have reservations, a la " Why tamper with one of...
The retail is 7, 500 K Euros in stainless steel, 16 K Euros in Rose Gold and 25 K Euros
For the Platinum version. As for the Pt version to answer your question, it is a trick of the light when I took the picture. Best, my friend. Nicolas
It looks very good ...
and the new buckle (at least to me) looks very good, but with an automatic movement it is a no go for me. It is just not what it was famous for. A missed opportunity in my point of view. Nico, thanks for the very nice coverage! Oliver
I want one!
It's wonderful - a "wear anywhere" watch for dress or sport. I really feel that it's something special - a great balance and a beautiful watch. Regarding the dials, I wish they would have "kept" the crosshair for the platinum since it's the limited editio...
That is a tough decision, the choice between the Pt and the SS.
I would say both, as they are very, deeply different. I woud say stainless steel, if only one is possible, because it is a toolwatch. And it is more coherent to own a toolwatch in stainless steel than in platinum. But the platinum has a lot of charm, too....
Not what I was expecting at all..!!
But like Oliver said they missed the main trick of it being a chronometer.....I understand why, but if JLC couldn't pull one of those out of the bag with their phenomenal history nobody could. Thanks for the report Nico, Andy.
Well, there may be a better choice than a COSCED Chronometer ( sorry for the redundance ).
I am still waiting for a confirmation ( or an infirmation, or an information ;) ) but there might be an interesting detail here. Now, if you meant manual movement, I can't disagree with you. But as said, they would have to do a dedicated movement for this...
Funny
After your recent Chronometry post I was considering a new topic on the forum querying which of the vintage chronometers the forum participants would most like JLC to reissue. The Geophysic was my top pick! I think I will start working on some more wish-l...
Thanks for your feedback, John.
A new old stock dial is very white... I will show you that a bit later... Too modern, the buckle? Well, this is a modern re intepretation of the Geophysic, rather than a re edition. In that sense, it is a good choice to FINALLY have a nice buckle, in my o...
A lot to commend
Hi Have to say there's a lot to commend here, despite some of the reservations voiced. Think I'm relatively agnostic about those, but can understand them. It seems a most restrained piece - very much like the idea of the platinum version - think pretty mu...
An efficient and elegant toolwatch, that is the Geophysic.
Add a touch of character, and you have a superb cocktail. Despite the reserves, which are long discussed choices. Best, and thanks for your input, JML. Nicolas
A tribute, really?
As usual, a great presentation, amanico! I am not a tribute watch type of guy... And here again I actually think it would have been best to have left this legend of a watch alone. Or rather it would have been best to pay a real tribute to it. If not a par...
Now you are thinking like a vintage collector, which is no way wrong, of course!
For a vintage Collector, or, let's say a lot of them, the originals are the originals, and the re editions / Tributes / Hommages, cannot compete with them. It is logical. Let's think about that in another way... The current Patek Chrono, the 5170, is, lik...
Lots of good arguments, amanico
All good economical and rational arguments. I invite you to let your guts and your heart speak. I know you have lots of both. :-) Not your logical understanding of the way things currently work at JLC. For better or for worse. You know, other watch compan...
Even JLC has some very nice manual movements.
On both affordable watches ( a simple Reverso has one ) and of course on more expensive watches ( Duometres, for example ). But the Reverso manual movements have been massively produced, and the Duometre watches start at 30 K Euros. In between there is no...
Thank you, Nicolas
I sense some emotions... JLC could have done better. I won't drive the knife deeper into the flesh. To issue a correct re-edition, worse a tribute watch is in my opinion mission impossible. Your know my passion for vintage Longines and my interest for Ome...
Fully agree with zritual
- automatic not manual? - 40mm instead of 34mm? - platin? - really chronometer? - 2014 no jubilee of 1958, nor is 2014 in any way significant for geophysics or science Does the mere design similarity of a dial (and even here are important differences) rea...
Well...
The original was 35 mm big, not 34 ( The De Luxe was 34 mm big, by the way ). The Tribute is 38, 5 mm big, not 40 mm. Automatic movement, on that point you are right. Sad, but at least, it SEEMS ( I need a confirmation on that point, that the specs are mu...
Your points
Your are right, I got the size wrong but my point and message still is valid: the TT is bigger, a lot in relative terms. And your point about platin: ok, also a precious metal, butnif there was no platin version in 1958, why doing one? Why not steel, RG a...
My last comment does not apply to JLC
I would like to clarify though that whilst I do not like this TT, I do think JLC is one of the most innovative houses, investing in th future (see Duometre, Gyro etc). It was more a general comment as an observation (after Basel 2014)
A very interesting issue
Many thanks for bringing this to the community Nicholas. You have done much to promote the historical importance of the original, and I believe that without your efforts, this edition would have struggled to come to fruition. I find it a very interesting ...
Yes, seeing it in the metal is the only way to be sure.
Thanks for your feedback, Conor. Best, Nicolas
Mixed emotions here...
First of all, thanks a lot for the presentation and the detailed review. About the watches, it is a matter of perspective. If we consider them as stand alone watches, they are nice. And more surprisingly, I find the SS and PG dial much nicer than the PT o...
To forget high strategies and favour the core fans, I cannot agree more, Fx.
That is nicely put, and that is so important! As for the manual movement, I too would have preferred it, more coherent with the history of the Watch. Or, at least, an automatic movement with soe chronometric virtues... Thanks for your input. Best, Nicolas...
What a joke in a double sense...
First , as I told our dear Moderator and host, he is doing support marketing, which is on record here , what he tried to trivialize... with full full blow back within hours me thinks. Never ever on Richemont's pay roll. ;) Second , a watch that is hailed ...
Aaah, here is our dear Ilja: Always complaining, criticizing, suspecting...
In that sense, you never disappoint. ;) There is no reason to suspect me, by the way: Marketing support because I write an article on Chronometry, and several posts about the Geophysic trying to explain what is a Geophysic, and allowing our readers to com...
but is Devil Advocacy something to be proud of, in this manner?
Provoking reaction can be done in a number of ways. Watches, like most other things in life, cannot be defined into "right or wrong". One person's taste will differ from another. Vive la difference. There are many things about this new Geophysic that comm...
understandably...
it is a necessary evil to be played - to keep the balance. Proud would be a mental impulse - in this case not applying. Now it is -at least in my understanding- important if someone is paid for (regardless if cash or goods) to play a certain role, it shal...
Sorry to disappoint you, but...
Not paid in goods or in money to write that. Yes, there is still some room for passion in life. Just to be clear... Best, Nicolas
Not an disappointment at all.
Nice to receive your clear answer to this. (y) It actually bothered a couple of people here and there. Never mind. Cheers. I.
Interesting...
So it seems you are NOT proud of your actions....that at least has some redeeming quality. Yet, on the other hand, you simply continue your actions as if they were justified. Baffling. A necessary evil is one that is there for the common good. Evaluating ...
the concept of
test balloons is known to you, I assume. Your Rolex story is not my cup of tea, I even can't judge if a Sub is real or fake holding it in my hands. ;) Well, I guess I totally overestimated Richemont's marketing strategies. Now I stand there corrected and ...
I think what you mean is a "trial balloon" not a "test balloon"...
......as I am sure you know, its important too be accurate. Glad to have been of service.
While I agree with most, the JLC forum is sponsored, right?
Dear Baron, I fully agree with you that personal critics are not the right way to express a different opinion. But we live in a world which asks for more transparency. Regarding the relation between the JLC company (and/or Richemont) and this forum, do I ...
Let me be very clear
I am the Moderator of the Rolex forum. Whether Rolex sponsor the Rolex forum or not is something that is the responsibility of the PurisS management. Personally, I have no idea what happens in this respect. As Moderator, I am asked by management to give a...
Believe it or not, but...
A moderator never discusses business with the brand he moderates. It is not his role, his function, his business. We have an Executive Team who deals with believe it or not, but I don't even say if ,this year, JLC is one of our sponsors. Why? To keep our...
I hope that you know how much I appreciate your contribution..
I was not questioning your personal integrity / passion but rather the economical background of brand forums in general. I only raised the question because some moderators claimed in the discussion that there was not financial relation at all. My (simple)...
This question comes up from time to time ...
... and I guess I can understand why people are curious about our independence. But as a fellow moderator let me make some additional comments from my perspective and experience over the last few years: ThePuristS was paid for by Thomas Mao from his own p...
...
At least my post leaded so some insights and answers. Good thing! And somehow re-establishs my believe marketing departments know their job. As for the unknown 'big collectors' they attend websites like this and come back with open questions via privat ch...
Do you see anything other than passion in what you read.
Is there any doubt of the dedication and commitment of the team that is here 24/7/365. Every word and every sentiment expressed is their personal and passionate view. Just step back and have a look at what a rich resource is presented by passionate member...
You have very strong view points IIja......
That's your rights. All of us (well, at least the great majority) are here because of our love in horology, so, discussing and giving opinions is the role the platform of this forum has been created for. This forum is not a place which has been designed t...
April fool hoax again!
Well, Nicolas, we are on the alert, so you cannot fool us this time! Of course JLC would never take an off-the-peg movement and dress it up as an iconic watch - that is Hublot’s business conduct! ;-) Moreover a watch with an automatic movement would rathe...
That is sure that, with a date on the dial, it would have been a superb modern Geomatic.
But we already have a Tribute to Geomatic, with the Master Control. Best, Christian. And thanks for your input! Nicolas
And they did it...
Thanks for the report and historical background Nicolas, As expected and discussed previously, JLC finally relaunched the Geophysic.... It is not very surprising as they don't have much models left to which they could pay tribute :))) I dreamed of this wa...
+ 1, as he said
In this instance JLC's lack of ambition. I am sorry not much of a tribute for one of the company's most iconic watch.
+1
Hi, I purposefully didn't read through the other comments before committing my thoughts to 'paper' (see below), but I can see that we are on the same 'page' with our views. Perhaps JLC will hear and one day come up with the Uber Chronometer we crave (and ...
Pushing the concept one or several steps further...
That would have been great. A fusion ( even if I hate this term, to be honest ) between what is a Geophysic ( a macho case / an interesting movement / Chronometer and Amagnetic ) and some elements of modernity, horoligically speaking. I think there is som...
Small correction....
....on otherwise enjoyable Nico post: USS Nautilus visited the North Pole in August 1958. In his book, Nautilus 90 North , Commander Anderson describes being presented with a watch for his achievements (Though I don't recall any mention of style or brand....
What I would have liked:
Thanks so much for the excellent write up, history and comments on the place of the Geophysic tribute, Nico. It is a brave watch for JLC to reissue. Very hard to keep the vintage aficionados happy, but it will have an appeal to a modern audience who don't...
It would have certainly be better with a manual movement.
Now, if is all about the philosophy of the Geophysic, IF this movement is finely adjusted, then the philosophy is respected. I can't wait to have this information. Nonetheless, I find the idea to create a new manual movement, which would be used for furth...
+1 Andrew…on the new movement use ..
Exactly my thought,If JLC does not produce it,who can? It was just a corner cut strategy in my opinion. Shame. Mo
I'm happy to have another clean, beautiful adventure offering, since I
haven't seen many like that in the current market. Successors to the 1016 and the original geophysic are what I have in mind. Milgauss, explorer 1, the ranger from tudor, maybe an omega or two come to mind, but that's about it. True there is panerai - but...
The original will always stay an icon, curiously a not that known icon.
An icon for connoisseurs who don't care about its " relatively " small size ( I am very happy with its 35 mm case, to tell the truth ). The Tributes could have gone some steps above, I agree with the general comments, but at least, in my opinion, and acco...
Thinking about this overnight
I went to bed looking at a pix of all four watches as a set. The original, in its 35mm size is just perfect in all aspects. It stands out in the whole set. For those fortunate to own (or find) the original, our as our dear Blomman have both colors, then y...
Any chance this could be a community watch?
not sure why it narrowly missed the mark for me. love the PT version. not so hot with the crosshairs. manual wind would have been preferred as the others have stated but to my not so discerning sensibilities, an auto is ok and understandable... but did i ...
Well, we can also consider that...
The Geophysic is less famous than the Reverso and the Polaris. When you have a Reverso or a Polaris on the wrist, people notice it. When you have a Geophysic on the wrist, only Watch nuts notice it. That is a fact based on several years of tests. ;) No do...
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa....
i am the culprit that posted this JLC Boutique Experience - Edited as per forum rules. Not the Original poster's fault, to say all . I was not aware of the embargo ( SIHH was in january ) and i will never knowingly break forum rules. After reading Joe ( 4...
I totally agree with you about Embargoes.
Putting a Watch Under embargo in an internal document is too challenging, if you want the secret to be kept. These last months proved that it was an impossible challenge. As I wrote, not your fault. Thanks for your input, my friend. Nicolas
Thank you Nicolas. Wonderful news and......
wonderful reading first thing in the morning with a nice cafe;) The automatic mouvement doesn't perturb me at all, it's practical. I love all three but my heart swings between the SS and the Platinum...somewhat I think I'll go for the SS. Thank you again ...
Love the SS model with the cross hairs
Have rung up the boutique and asked them to call me when they get something for me to see in the metal.
Wow - a lot to digest here.....
After my first read-through, I adored these re-issues. After thinking on it a bit, I still like them quite a bit. I think JLC really nailed it on the case, dials, size, lugs, etc. etc. But, I must agree with some of the other posters here that the movemen...
Thanks for your input, Darren. It seems that the TT Geo movement...
Has been adjusted to work in the -1 / +4 secs per day range. If it is the case, as I am still waiting for a confirmation, this is uch better than the COSC spécifications! But like you and many others, here, a manual winding movement would have been more e...
My last few months mantra.."watchmaking or moneymaking?..watchmaking…."
Well, a mantra that resonate so much in my head lately and that make s me see things differently…much differently.. I am the last person to judge on Vintage watches or re/editions,tributes etc,but from what I can see and ponder for myself this is a big hu...
Like you, I would have preferred seeing JLC opting for a manual movement.
But what makes me laugh is to see Vacheron, since you quoted that brand, using an automatic movement for their Chronometre Royal, you know, this close JLC Geophysic cousin which housed the same manual movement, without anybody ( or almost ) being shocked ...
Any tribute would have opened a can of worms here Nico..
You are doing an excellent job as a moderator….and this is not an easy task this time,tough audience…you are a warrior! Ha ha.. Mo
LOL. ;) More seriously, I encourage and appreciate these discussions, and divergent
Points of view, as long as they are elaborated. It is a pleasure to have these discussions, which is the main reason we are HERE. All the best, my friend. Nicolas
Nice redesigned Master Control my good friend.
That "geophysique" is not antimagnetic, is not a chronometer and is not manual wind (but actually, the first two points are even more important in the spirit of the Geophysique). That is definetly NOT a tribute, but an appealing design of a Master Control...
Interesting discussion, Cisco.
The CR started as a Pocket Watch, didn't it? The movement was manual, as well as the movement housed in the contemporary Geophysic, wasn't it? The movement of the VC and of the JLC was the same, better finished ( which was ont tough ,as the JLC was not fi...
I missed the antimagnetic part, one good point, some corrections
the Crab Lugs had a 1072 coming from JLC identical to Audemars Piguet 2072, and that standard of finish was exclusive for the two high end brand. It is another glorious part of VC history, supplied by JLC. One can compare to the Geomatic in JLC part, grea...
So well articulated, moc!
Funny to imagine what we all would say if Rolex did a TT to the James Bond Large Crown Submariner, but with manual movement, not waterproof (cheaper!), and maybe in yellow gold. BUT! Same dial design and hands
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