Jaeger-LeCoultre

I recently posted a topic about the Grande Memovox, an appealing perpetual calendar with its platinum case and its deep blue dial...

It gave me the idea to make a comparative post about JLC Perpetual Calendars...

This A.L 8 Days Perpetual is, for me, one of the more elgant and very nicest JLC Perpetual Calendar

It corresponds more to the view I have of a classic and timeless piece.



The platinum case ( All the A.LECOULTRE watches have a platinum case ), is 41,5mm large, traditionnaly designed, with some elegant curves and lines.



All in this watch was conceived in an elegant way...The case, not too thick, the silver sober but complete dial, the blue croco strap, these blue hands, the case back..All is very pleasant to see, not to say, to admire...







Small detail, but a "chic" one, the A.LECOULTRE signature on the size of the case... ( Credit pic: Poy.fr )



The sapphire case back let show a reliable, accurate and nice movement, the Cal 876, a 28 800 vph, offereing the following functions:

- Date.

- Day.

- Month.

- Power Reserve indicator ( 8 Days Power Reserve).

- Year

- Moonphase.

- Day Night indicator.

A nice " soleillé " finish...On 2 Master 8 Days perpetual, the Rose Gold, and the Platinum A.LECOULTRE.





Let's have now a closer look to the dial....

As I previously said, this dial is finished in a very sober but elegant and distinguished way...

A sunburst design, a nicely balanced dial, with a symmetrical presentation of the 5 counters and hands, all this contributes to make the read of time very easy, and pleasant.







There are some few negative points, on this watch...

1/ As very often, the problem of the strap, the quality could be improved.

2/ A WG Folding Buckle in a platinum watch....Not good! Even if JLC si not alone to make that, they should avoid this imperfect combo...

3/ The Blue Painted hands, instead of Blue heated...Here again, JLC should avoid this small detail..;IMHO.

These minor negative points can't put some serious shadow on this watch, that is for me one of the nicest perpetual calendars of the production, even if I find the Skeleton version even more appealing...

But to each his own...

The nicest?

honestly, I would answer YES.

I recently posted a topic about the Grande Memovox, which is gorgeous in platinum, a post you will see here, by clicking on the link:

jlc.watchprosite.com

Compared to this Grande Memovox, I still think that this A. LECOULTRE is more appealing, more..let's say ... Timeless.

Then, you have the Grand Reveil...In SS, rose Gold with a stunning black dial, and in platinum....

Here, the beast in SS:











This Grand Reveil is pretty well called, as is size is 1,5mm bigger, and thicker too.

I'd say that its look is more sporty, modern or young,even, and pleasant, with a very good legibility.

It also has a very interesting combination of complications, as it adds, compared to the Grande Memovox, the choice between an alarm, or a vibration, to the perpetual calendar, which is unique in the production, and demosntrates that JLC has always an original way to present their classical complications!

The dial is well balanced, too, with a nice symmetrical design of the counters and informations:

Here, a very nice Moonphase, included in the Day Display:



There, the whole dial under different angles...Nice and complete!







And now, the simpler one, but not the ugliest!

The Master Perpetual Calendar.

Here, we just have a perpetual calendar, no alarm, no 8 days movement, but an automatic one.

The design is also very timeless, with a very nice dial, and I have to say that the black dialed version is sublime!









Funny how a black dial enhances in a very nice way all the perpetual calendar informations, isn't it?

This Master Perpetual Calendar is quite thin, compared to all the others, and small too, with its 37 mm case.

But, here again, for me, the A.LECOULTRE is, again the winner....

Only one may be considered as more interesting and exciting than this A.LECOULTRE...

The Perpetual Calendar 8 Days Skeleton, which is IMHO, a gorgeous blend of Horology and Art...



Whatever is your choice, one thing is amazing with the JLC Perpetual Calendars...You will certainly be able to find an appealing one!

To each his own....

Now, it's up to you...What's your favourite, and Why?



Best.

Nicolas
This message has been edited by amanico on 2008-07-23 12:01:57 This message has been edited by amanico on 2008-07-28 03:25:27

But I think of all the perpetuals out there, I like the Glashutte Original Senator Perpetual the most.  It may have not have a 8 day reserve, alarm or even chronograph complication (like Zenith El Primero), but its dial is the easiest to read and the display windows are not all over the places (compared to the UN models).  JMHO.

Blue

But if chosing a 'simple' (no other complication) perpetual, I would go for the Moser.

The Jaeger LeCoultre is a bit too thick and the dial too busy for my liking, and I realy like the 'understatement' of the Moser (you can't really tell it is a perpetual calendar beacause it doesn't have many dials, but it still is a perpetual calendar, which achieves its perpetual functionality without any show-off)

I think I would even have removed the power reserve indication on the Moser dial, to keep only the basics: H/M/S / date (perpetual)

Not as quick to read as the GO, but I appreciate the dial simplicity.

Blue

*

 

 

The Moser is indeed very elegant because of its simple display.  I know it is has full perpetual function but it is without the day and year display, albeit a leap year indication on the movement side.  I start to wonder when would a perpetual watch not a perpetual because of reduced display e.g. taking it to the extreme - a watch with full perpetual function that only display the date only.  Would it be still be called a perpetual?

Hi,

The problem would be to set the date. If you don't have a month display, you can't set the date because you don't know on which month you set.

Dje

One of the less often seen wg Perpetuals without the "Panda Eye" dial. It's not as easy to ready as the GO but it's thinner and dressier. The other detail difference with the 8-day is a second hand. The 8-day is "mute".

...I guess I should think before typing.... ;-)

Regards!

Suitbert

That gave me an occasion to post a picture of the nice Moser !

I can appreciate other pieces from other brands, too.

I saw, sadly only in pics, this Moser...

This is indeed a beautiful pc ,and an interesting alternative for those who want to add a pc to their collection.

I appreciate a lot its complex and original simplicity.

The only reserve I have is that if you need to service it, where will you send your watch, and when you need to do it, will this brand still exist?

In fact, for complicated watches, I'm a bit suspicious on this matter...Maybe I'm wrong, as I don't have the ambition to know all, but this is one of my worries...

Best.

Nicolas

If you are talking only about the JLC models, and I presume you are in your overview above, then it is the Squelette for me without any hesitation.  It may not be the easiest perpetual to read, but it is stunning!  One of my very favorites among all brands, categories and models. I definitely have a preference for openworked dials and this one takes it to the extreme -- and so beautifully.  Among perpetuals I tend to like GO and UN easy-to-read models without extraneous sub dials, but the Master 8 Days Perpetual Skeleton totally undermines my own preferences.  I must admire this one from a distance, but it is painful.

Great post as usual, my friend.  Thanks for a good mid-afternoon amusement.

respo

The interesting thing is that JLC plays on several grounds about PCs...

Classical like the Master PC or the A.Lecoultre, sporty with the Gran Reveil, and Artisitic with this Skemeton pc...

The discussion is, but it can also be a more general discussion, to know if the pc are to be legible or not, as Minute Repeaters, and watches in general.

On the skeleton pc, I honestly have no problem to read the hour and the informations displayed.

Once you're used to, and when you got the trick, it's ok.

I think there are watches that have to be immediately legible, as Military, Pilot, Diver Watches, and some that can play on another register, like the complications, and some dressy watches too.

All the charm is not on the utility, IMO.

Best.
Nicolas

 

But here again, very subjective.

Adding an additionnal xomplication to a PC is just a great idea!

best.

Nicolas

I'm leaning slightly toward the skeleton version but agree that it's really not easy to read.  (Yes the same problem for the minute repeater but we 'hear' the time instead of reading the time so that's ok there!)    I think the Rose Gold version of the skeleton perpetual might do better in terms of readability...  Let's see.

And yes, this is a stunning combo, Jester, with a very nice contrast, between the ruthenium parts, and the warmth of the Rose Gold case and hands.

In terms of legibility, the rose gold hands help a bit, but the sitaution is far from being catastrophic on the platinum version, which I find so subtle and elegant.

And to be honest, we don't spend all the time looking at the date! LOL

Do We? LOL

I forgot, we are totally nuts! LOL

Best, Jester!

Nicolas

Nicolas - Thank you for the excellent post.  Your knowledge of watches and your skills at photography make reading your post more than a pleasure but an education.  I would recommend my friends wanting to know more about JLC to come here and ready your posts.  Thank you again.

Much appreciated...

But it's also very cool to share when it's about passion..Don't you think so?

Best!

Nicolas

I like the JLC Master Control Perpetual because of its size (especially the case thinness).  The calendar-setting mechanism is also one of the simplest with a single pusher to set all indicators.

The GO perpetual with its window indicators and large date is the easiest to read (IMHO) of all perpetuals.

The Moser has an elegant, uncluttered design which is very appealing.  And setting is simple and can be done bi-directionally (I believe).

tempusfugit

 

Setting a JLC perpetual calendar is very simple, and that also counts, when deciding..Even if the UN concept is easier to set, with this crown, and a pc you can set backwards and forwards is simply a genious idea!

GOs are also great alternatives, of course.

This is great to have such a choice!

Best.

Nicolas

nt.

(I dont know what happended but somehow my post got lost while writing, but Ill try again since I have some time)

First I would like to say thank you  for the huge effort you put in to keeping this forum interesting and educational. You spoil us with great posts and reviews giving us insight to to the history and capabilities of JLC.  I, for one, appreciate and enjoy it.

The A. LeCoultre is a gorgous watch. And I guess JLCs pursuit in making a serious classical perpetual calendar watch the JLC way. It looks and feels JLC IMO, both in the good way. and a little of the bad.  I agree with you that  the dial side is quite succesfull. .  Some here compare it to Moser, but its not a good comparison. While some like very simple dials others prefer this style. It  is matter of taste choosing an other category, but I say this one, for a complicated dial with lots of indexes, it is simply damn good looking.

The proportions of the case feels good but slightly to the fat side for me. The sunburst stribes of the movement  is a very nice way to finish the almost closed plates. However when I saw it in the metal I could not help thinking that the finish was not quite precise enough in the execution. We have touched this topic and I know JLC is trying to improve on this matter. Your other (small) critique points I very much agree on. It seems JLC are very succesful with this watch, but maybe the last little bit is missing.

If one likes the concept of a manual wind Perpetual calender is a matter of taste though. I for one, would forget to wind it, even with the PR of 8 days, luckily  not everyone is as silly as me    ( I know you can get winder contraptions for manual winds, but it shure looks a bit too complicated. well I never tried it)

The skeletonzed PC I havent experienced yet. But the pics. leve me BREATLESS. really. it seems pure, classical and modern at the same time. The way they use the globe motief as the "main plate" is just cool. It looks very complete - but I have yet to see it.

The grande reveil, I dont click with. I like both complications ( I love memovox) and the idea with vibrator is VERY cool. The idea of combining these two complications makes sense too BUT: The watch feels and wears way to thick IMO - not very elegant. And the dial! I think needs a review from the design department. Even though they chose a strict lay-out it could do with a simplification. The design seems to be an unsuccesfull blend of a classical dress watch and a tool/sports watch. Maybe its due to the red colurs and the white painted alarm hand that gives me the image that they tried to "blend in a bit of toolwatch". My overall image is that its a great concept that never "ripened" well.

The MC black dial is a darling of mine. It has a timeless quality to it. Elegant and thin on the wrist. Classical.... Its very Stealth. And  it has a nice automatic cal 889 (also used by Vacheron Constantin to my memory) I have the Master Moon annual version of this watch. I sometimes consider changing it to the Perpetual. lets see what happens.

Favorites?  for me it may  stand between the Skeletal and the black dial MC, but I have yet to see the Skeletal

 

all the best

COD

 

 

 

This message has been edited by ChristianOfDenmark on 2008-07-24 02:41:33

HURRAAAAAAAAAAAA. just this minute I got a note from the post office. I can go and pick up my MC Annual Calendar. Its back from a complete service in Le Sentier. 2 and a half months - not too bad.

 

Best

COD

(I must be going now) 

2 months and an half is quite a good thing to service a watch!
So, now, did you find the buckle?
Best.
Nicolas
PS...You own us some pics!
LOL

just picked it up. I got a little more than i paid for. (800 euro) Seems they put a nick in the bezel. Not quite shure what to do its about 1 mm long on the inner edge of the bezel at 2 o clock. I just tried to phone the AD who is 400km away. His busy but will call back. Im not gonna throw a hissy fit but shurely im disappointed.

Any advice please?

 

COD

You got your watch Back from the Service Center...He will certainly polish the watch totake the ding off...Doesn't seem too catastrophic, BTW...
Keep us informed!
Best.
Nicolas

Of course I didnt take pictures of it before......... LOL But of course thats the thing to do in the future.

You see above the "5" on the date ring. It looks a bit deep for polishing because it cuts in to the edge.

What do you guys think should I just live with it?

kind regards

COD