2008 RDM
The only remaining original Master Series that has not been Magalied or shall I say "revamped" is the RDM. You'd better get an original while they're still around, preferably with the neatly upgraded freesprung balance, if you can.
One can only fear the worst: i.e., pumping it up to an unnecessary 40mm, overthickening it, and "harmonising*" it.
Clearly as it's the jewel in their crown of their old Master Series (with the notable exception of their outgoing Perpetual) it has taken a while for them to know what to do with it.
We shall see.........
*JLC jargon for making their new watches look like cheap Chinese counterfeits.
Rumours...rumours...rumours, but ...
... indeed Jerome Lambert stated in an interview with Christophe Roulet
earlier this year that JLC aims to apply the Extreme LAB technology to their
watches and „will go on producing six new calibres a year.”
As the RDM is the last not revamped watch in the Master Control series
powered by a movement that goes back to the 80s, it could be a natural
choice to apply parts of the LAB technology to an all new RDM movement.
For the case, dial and hands - well, I do not believe that we will be able to
stop JLC from "harmonising".
Christian
Harmonised RDM
I think both you guys are correct in that we are likely to see an updated RDM soon from JLC. As much as I liked the previous model, I am looking forward to the new one with great anticipation. If the size and features are as the harmonised geographic I will be very interested in this watch, in fact, I have suspended the search for my next watch until the new RDM appears. Moving with the times is not always a bad thing, the harmonised Geographic is stunning when you see it in the metal.
Cheers
David
Well David, it is all a matter of taste ...
... of course!
I liked the old Geographic better than the new one and I also prefer
dauphine hands to the ones JLC currently uses in their Master Control series.
Moving with the times may not be a bad thing in general, but one should be carful
not to go with every fashion.
Regarding case sizes I have to admit that I have got used to the 40mm by now but
still oppose cases that are to wide for the movements inside and unnecessary thick.
I see no need to wear bulky watches as far as the size only adds to the so called
presence of a watch and not to it's functions, legibility or reliability.
Cheers
Christian
Harmonsied watches
I agree with you Christian about unnecessary excess in the case. I have a 37mm Ø vintage memovox and I find it quite beautifully proportioned and I think a watch sized at 40/41mm is just about as big as any watch needs to be. In saying that, I do like the harmonised watches in the JLC range, but agree with you on the hands - I too prefer the older style.
David
Harmonisation and proportions
I think the new Geo is overdone, and yes I've seen it in the metal - all that was needed was not to apply the 9-12-3 numbers, it's those that Wisemoth (I think) pointed out that make it look like a Chinese copy.
But, the killer for the whole range though is the radial thickness of the bezel. The magic proportions of the old one are lost. In the same way the AP15300 cannot touch the aesthetic of the AP15202 for the same reason - loss of the original proportions in thickness and dial depth. I would happily accept a new RDM at 40mm if it somehow maintained the proportional magic formula.
Velociphile
Harmonised Polaris anybody.......
Or has this been done to death this past year..!!??
Andy...:o)
That's my position too....
I share your point about the thickness of the bezel and hope that the current proportions of the current Master RDM would be preserved.
Actually my next JLC is going to be 42mm and it fits my wrist and my eye perfectly, but I would not buy one of the current 40mm models for a matter of taste and proportions.
Size doesn't say it all.
Cheers
Dje
ps: lucky you to go to the AML days!