Jaeger-LeCoultre

. . . last week for a very special reason . . . first, a few photos to introduce you to the environs . . .

. . . and to my host, boutique staffer Jason G . . .

. . . who generously offered his time and expertise; Jason also assisted our 'underground gang' of aficionados earlier this month when we visited the boutique, showing us the intricacies of the Duometre on a projector . . .

. . . [this photo was taken last week during my solo visit].

What was this special reason?

You fell in love with one of these beauties and decided to change of bride? LOL

Thanks for this special visit, my friend.

Best.

Borat ( and you know....If you're kind with me, I'll let you use...LOL)

. . . as before, our goals may change, but the methods remain the same . . . cordially, Don Turo

What Do I have to say to my sister?

LOL

Borat.

With Nicolas we met a girl a few weeks ago in the Paris boutique who was about to work for this Beverly Hills boutique.



Fr.xavier

. . . a few special offerings, such as the rose gold Master Control Hometime Boutique . . .

. . . which was re-envisioned in white gold this year as the Hometime 2008 Boutique . . .

. . . and in steel as the 8 Day Boutique . . .

. . . which leads up to the 'heavyweight champion' of boutique special editions, namely, . . .

Hi Art,

I thought you were running after a Reverso Skeleton tourbillon?

Cheers

Dje

. . . the object of my desire will soon be clear ;-) . . . cordially, Art

Just as I thought I was getting these boutique editions out of my system.

Of course many thanks for taking shots of these!

. . . a little torture is good for the soul . . . cordially, The Inquisition

. . . only available at JLC boutiques . . . photogenic, no?

Jason even indulged in my request for a wrist shot . . . ah, the lengths one must go thru to please a humble aficionado . . .

. . . it was pure torture for Jason, I'm sure ;-)

I much prefer the Amvox III, much more elaborated, IMO.

And the Amvox III is the 1st watch to use some parts of the Extrem Lab, too.

But I'm still waiting the end of your teasing...

Borat.

. . . the torture must be just killing him . . .

. . . as wonderful as they are, it has always been the Reverso for me, which I have long considered a paradigm of pure dress watch design . . .



. . . as in this rare example of a Patek Reverso [photo courtesy of fellow Purist David P].

. . . I think I'll hold out for the Bronze Medalist ;-) . . . LOL, Art

. . . aesthetic sensibilities, due to their perfect 'golden ratio' proportions and modest size. The Reverso design lends itself equally well to simple and complex versions, and my long-time favorite is the relatively recent skeleton version from the mid-90s, which is unusual as I generally don't care for skeleton watches in general [photo taken in November] . . .

. . . but, as Steve G's photo demonstrates, the 'golden rectangle' is well suited for displaying the craft of skeletonization [Steve G has previously given me permission to use this photo]:

You have admired the artr deco before.  Did you get it?

respo

. . . but I'm satisfied with the dress watches at my disposal . . . my next acquisition will be a rugged steel sports watch, yet to be determined but likely an Omega . . . cordially, Art

. . . the Reverso Skeleton and the Reverso Platinum. I've mentioned the Platinum before as one of my favorite designs, but this was the first occasion to see one in the metal:

. . . a Reverso exhibits pure class, in my humble opinion, and the Platinum is an exemplar of understated yet highly accomplished design.

. . . is overshadowed by the Skeleton, which is one of very few to compete with my affection for what I consider to be the most compelling design of all, namely, the Omega central tourbillon. The Skeleton strikes me as a counterpoint to the Omega in aesthetic terms, with a focus on rational design derived from empirical observation accentuated by the revelation of skeletonization, as opposed to the ethereal appearance of the Omega with it's symbolically laden construction, mimicking a cosmological 'music of the spheres' with it's centrally located tourbillon and enhanced by the seemingly floating sapphire hands. One represents reason, the other, faith . . . both powerful statements of design. Here are a few photos, courtesy JLC BH:

The decision to skeletonize the movement without adding decoration strikes me as an inspired move, as the aesthetic effect is curiously enhanced . . . I found myself wondering had Da Vinci designed a wristwatch, would this be the direction he would've taken? The absence of script is another inspired touch, in my opinion, as it lends an air of authority by it's silence.

I'm amazed to see a Reverso Tourbillon Skeleton for sale!!!

I really thought that all were sold out.

These 2 are really among the top five of the nicest Reversos ever made, and I'd even rank the Skeleton in the 3 nicest!

This is, as you said, a very light skeleton, but an enormous work, and at the end a sublime outcome of transparency, play of light, and sculpture.

You are lucky, Art.

So , at the end, will you inlcude in your collection your first JLC?

And if yes, what would it be?

A Reverso, OK, but which one?

Best, and thanks for having taken the time to share with us thiss very special moment!

Nicolas

. . . and, as I just relayed to Alex, it would be my final acquisition . . . if the gods are kind, then this Reverso is on a very short list of watches that would close out my collection . . . cordially, Art.

Holy watches, indeed.

It would deserve to be included in every nice collection, or, as you said, as an Ultimate piece.

There are, at the end, a few which stuck me, and this one is among them.

Best.

Nicolas