Jaeger-LeCoultre

Hello all!

This is my first post on JLC forum.  A while ago, I inquired about "world time" or "dual time" watch and got interested in JLC Master Geographic (38mm, ca 2001) - I have a small wrist and "modern" big case Master Geo is not within my scope....
Anyway, I was able to get ahold of a pre-owned piece, black dial SS vesion and it was so cool.  A bit too light, felt like a toy, but practical and most of all, very accurate. 





But, it started showing a symptom - sometimes stops even with full power reserve.  Shake it, then starts again.  A while later, it stopped, etc.  So, I brought it to a nearby AD which in turn supposedly sent it to JLC service center in NYC.  I got message from the AD saying that the estimate cost will be $700 for overhaul, lubricating, etc.  It was not cheap, but okay...  Then the estimated time of servicing will be 22 weeks !!!  22 weeks!?  And the paper said it would be done by 8/29/2008!!! 

I have other watches, so I am okay from that stand point, but is 22 weeks "normal" for JLC watch service???

I am a big fan of Lange and the biggest - almost only - reason is that there is a service center in the city and I can drop by anytime and small adjustment is done instantly by the authorized watchmaker himself, and if servicing is needed, it typically takes 4 weeks, and I know WHO does the work. 

I asked a JLC rep via email (JLC and Lange are under the same umbrella, if my memory serves me right) and while JLC service center is in NYC, JLC doesn't allow visitor and I would have to ship it over with full insurance, etc., etc.  So I brought it to the AD.  By getting that nice Master Geo, I was really starting to like JLC, but not sure.

And, yes, I have signed the service order and it has already started rolling anyway.  But just curious to know whether this is what is typically expected from JLC?  This is not a rant.  Just curiosity.


Ken
 

This message has been edited by KIH on 2008-03-29 20:57:55

It depends on where you're located...Here, in France, for a Vintage piece, it can take from 6 to 12 months, but your watch is not a Vintage...

For a modern watch as yours, it takes normally something like 6 to 12 weeks for JLC to service a watch...

Things are different for any brands...

For example, Panerai need an average of 8 months to service in Swizerland a pre v, while it takes 6 or 8 weeks when the service is done in France for a vendome watch...

As for Breguet, it took 4 months to service a moedrn watch, while for other guyus, it has been longer, or shorter...

Etc...It depe,ndsof a lot of things, but I can tell you that 22 months is not normal... It looks a bit too long for me.

Another thing, and here this is normal, a mechanical watch need to be serviced each 5 years...Yoiurs needed this service, obviously..

Let meadd that your Master Géographique is a splendid watch, indeed...The funny thing here is that it has been this watch that make me do the plunge in the JLC world!

Best!

Nicolas

Nicolas, thank you!

I understand that it takes servicing every 5 years or so.  But as you agree, 22 weeks is too much for servicing.  Makes me less appreciative of the brand, quite honestly.

Bisides, I am glad that we share the same "taste" and likewise this is the watch that made me pay attention to JLC.  Very cool looking with this black face and right size, yet it has everything I want - time, date, second time, and power reserve although, like I mentioned previously, it felt very light and like a "toy" with a bit cheap winding sound when you shake it.  I was really excited about this watch and almost made it to be my second work-place watch.

Hope this will be back sooner, much sooner than 22 weeks.  What happens if something happens to the owner during that time, I wonder.

Have a nice Sunday,

Ken

You're a bit pessimistic!
If something happens to the owners while the watch is servicing, the watch is sent to me! LOLOLOOLOLOOL
There is another possibility...Sometimes, JLC says that it will last 22 weeks, to be prudent...It may be shorter than that...
I hope.
Well, what I'll do is asking to JLC France if there is smoething to do...
I promise you nothing, but we'll see!
Best.
Nicolas

pessimistic !  But I might move, get transferred to another country, etc., etc...
I hope they just put the number on the conservative side and will get back to me much sooner.
Thanks for asking JLC France.  Give them my best regards and hope you find something.

Merci!

Hi KIH,
The JLC workshops in the US are undergoing a relocation at the moment and this may be the reason for the long turnaround time you were quoted. Here in the UK we aim to service all modern JLC's such as yours in 8 weeks. This turnaround time is set by the Manufacture and should be the same for all countries, under normal circumstances. I am sure that if you wait a month or two before sending your watch to them the turnaround time will be much closer to 8 weeks. Of course, you could always send your watch to us!
Good Luck!
Leo Sweeney(JLC-UK Workshop Manager)

Much appreciated!

Best.

Nicolas