Jaeger-LeCoultre

I have a few obsessions in my life. One of them is tea. Oolong tea is a particular passion. But Darjeeling is also a particular favourite. In terms of black teas, I have found just one that I really love from the Amba Estate in Sri Lanka. I have tasted many black teas, but the Amba Estate was, to my palate, just head and shoulders above the rest. Last year, the head tea-grower at the estate decided to leave the estate. She was a genius. As a result of her departure, many tea suppliers have decided not to purchase supplies as they want to see how the estate fares under new management. So, I have about 50 grammes left of Amba tea in my stores...and very little chance of finding more for the foreseeable future. 

One week ago, a few guys headed to Paris for a quick GTG. I went there with no expectations of adding to my collection or of hunting any targets. Yet....i hit three in one go.

Bang! I saw an original Polaris 65 with the JLC inscription and in superb condition. I saw it....I had to have it. It is a watch where I have some history, but I think it is fair to say I have never owned this version and it is a very good fit within my collection. A big target hit. 

Up until this point, there is no watch with the same birth year as me. Now there. Within Rolex, I find it very hard to find a 1965. But now, I have a birth year watch. Bang!

And finally, with the assistance of my resident French adviser, we visited a famous French tea supplier. I bought some Oolong and saw the they had a black tea that I had never tasted before. Shangri-La Gold from Nepal. I bought 100g. I had no particular expectation of this tea other than curiosity. 

Bang! I tried it on returning to the UK and it was a killer. It is, for me, on a par with Amba Estate. More importantly, I can buy it!

Three targets hit in one trip. Actually, to be fair, there was more than three targets hit. Making new friends is always a target and that certainly happened on this GTG.

Cheers,

CC

I am so happy you found another one, my friend. 

Which is, moreover, not only in great shape, but I can say, in this JLC version, a bit rarer than the Lecoultre, from what I could see in the market these past ten years.

Now, you are the only one I know who can proudly post a Duo Shot of the JLC TT Polaris 1965 AND the JLC Polaris 1965. 

With a nice cup of tea, Heaven is on Earth, officially. 

Nice Tea Shop, eeeh? 

Best,

Nicolas

Probably like most, i started with black tea. I really only discovered Darjeeling in the last 5 years....i found that I had to drink it without milk to appreciate it. Now it is one of my favourites. From there, it is just a case of perseverance. 

There are some wonderful tea suppliers now...Canton tea, Jing tea, Marriage Frere, Dammon Frere, Whittards, Tea Palace....to name just a few. I don't think there is a way to learn other than tasting them. It is a bit like watches...there is no such thing as a watch with taste. Some people like yellow gold, some people like white metal. Some like enormous watches, some like tiny watches. There is no "right"....just what works for you. Same with tea. My son loves Darjeeling and Greens....he isn't such a big fan of Oolong. Great news for me....he never steals my Oolong!

I am very happy to make suggestions for teas to try....but those will be teas which appeal to my palate.....it may not suit you. Always happy to provide ideas though....

Thanks for your comments!

Joe