Jaeger-LeCoultre

Ok, the International Movie Festival started in Cannes, with its pleiad of famous actresses and actors, but here, it is a bit different.

It seems that for a while, now, some stars have reached the rank of recognition, in the Vintage JLC world.

The Polaris, of course, the Deep Sea Alarm, then, and two new pieces which are more and more coveted, the Reverso and the Geophysic.

Which is interesting as all the pîeces which gained this Star Status were re edited, at the notable exception of ... The Geophysic.

A few days ago, these two pieces were auctionned at a very high price ( 50 000 ( !!! ) CHF for this Reverso, and 30 000 Euros for the Geophysic )





If it is not the first time the Red Reverso " does " this kind of price, it seems that it is a first for the Geophysic, which value was more circa 13 to 15 000 Euros before the auctions.

Another interesting point is that there are more and more pieces from the Patrimony which are on the way to receive thise recognition, even if there is a lot to say and do, here, and that it will take some time.

Which raises a question, too: Will JLC release a re edition of the Geophysic, a faithful one?

Food for thought.

Best,

Do you think JLC would be brave enough to do a tribute in the original size?  Brave or foolish?  The Polaris was lucky to have been issued originally in a modern size, so it was easier to remain faithful to the original in that re-edition.  And JLC did a brilliant job. 

In subsequent tributes (Deep Sea and Reverso), JLC has had to make some tougher decisions, and I think in each case they have, again and again, made a brilliant effort.  So, I look forward to seeing if they will do a Tribute to the Geophysic (I hope they do!) and how they will do it.

Best,

respo

IF there is a Tribute to Geophysic, the question is about the size, and the movement.

Giving it a " normal " movement is a sacrilege.

As for the size, you put the dilemma in good words: Brave ( We are confident enough in our watch, our Patrimony, and in ourselves to release a watch whose size is not conform to nowadays standards ( is there a standard nowadays, by the way? ) )

Or...Fool: The marketing says the standards in terms of size is all about 40+++ mm, so it would be stupid to do it smaller, if we want to sell it.

Going with the Mob, or deciding to do something different for a watch which IS totally different?

Once again, IF JLC decides to release the Geophysic, which is, to this day, not sure.

Best,

 

Nicolas

This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-05-18 06:32:36

But you are, of course, absolutely correct on that point as well.  It cannot be just any movement inside. 

Yes, this will, or would, be a tough one for JLC. 

I still hope they do it!

 

Best,

respo

As JLC will have to start from zero, which was not the case for the TT Polaris, and half the case for the TT DSA.

Indeed, we don't have to forget the dial, too, which is also very special.

Let's see what they do, IF they decide to do it.

Best,

Nicolas

In all cases, I would be interested by a Tt Geophysic as close as the original.
But as you say, the caliber will be another league: I'm not a specialist but I don't see any modern manual JLC caliber which could be included as is.
And what would be the price of such a tribute? Below 10k€? Below 15k€?
Last but not least: IF they decide to do so, how much time will it take to have the watch ready?

You're right, IF JLC decides to release a TT Geophysic, they will, in my opinion, to create a totally new movement, a manual one, of course.

What price? Let's first see IF they decide to make it, to turn our dreams into reality.

Best,
Nicolas

I talked about price only because developing a new manual movement will have a cost and I'm afraid that retail price will be huge if they include it only in this tribute.

However, IF they decide to do so, making a new chronometer, low beat rate, manual caliber seems a great idea, even for other models like UT.

BTW, any idea of the delays when they decide to make a new model (not specific to an hypothetical new tribute)? 2 years? 3 years? More?
This message has been edited by scholiaste on 2012-05-21 09:39:29

What we know is that it took 2 years for JLC to release the Tribute to Polaris. Thar is a sure fact.

And almost the same time for the TT DSA.

As for the Geophysic, it is much more complicated, as you don't only need to create a new dial, but you also and most of all have to solve two issues:

The size of the case... Huge dilemma.

And the movement, of course, which doesn't exist...

I would say that 3 to 4 years is a good time to work on the Geophysic and to unveil it... IF Jlc decides to go this way...

Best,

Nicolas

... already full packed of people who whish a reedition of Geophysic. Obviously, this would be a very tricky project but I'm sure that JLC can achieve it with success.

We already have the Tribute but what about a  "new version"?

Thanks for the news!

Fx

In my opinion, the weakest ponit of the E L II was to call it " Tribute To Geophysic ".

I really didn't get why such a name on such a watch...

While Extreme Lab II was more appropriate, in my opinion; once again...

Best,

 

Nicolas

I didn't know Rolex and JLC share the same supplier

No message body

Thank you for the info, Nicolas.

Good for JLC and the Reverso and the Geophysic to get the recognision they deserve!

Bad for us who is trying to find the watches...

 

As for the TT Geophysic - IF JLC ever do a TT version...

PLEASE, please make in proper - no quick and dirty just to make some bucks!

Just my personal hope...

 

Best, my friend

Blomman

Hope MJLC will reissue TT Geophysic soon.

Stefan

We need more than one or two auctions to be sure that the Geophysic has reached its correct value.

What is a correct value, by the way?

I think JLC shoukld release a TT Geophysic,as it is an important part of its Patrminony, but not an easy one.

See Ken's input and my answer to him... There is some good food for thought.

Best!

Nicolas.

I'd love to see it, too.  But I think it would be a difficult/complicated story to tell the public.  And a difficult watch to faithfully reproduce.  And a difficult design aesthetic to prompt broad appeal these days.  If they did it, it would be a very confident move, and a tribute to us as much as the watch, as it is likely to sit in display cases waiting for one of us to "get it".  But a RAAF....?  Now we're talking!  Best, Ken

It is a discrete watch whose subtle beauty and interest is inside, not too much outside.

A commercial watch? I don't think so.

BUT an indispensable watch, for the legitimity of the brand, for its recognition among the WIS.

A refined dial, in a macho case, housing a great ( not specially superbly finished ) movement.

These are the keys of the Geophysic.

A watch to really understand to fully appreciate, then love it.

The Military Mark 11 or WWW ( sorry for the redundance ) are much easier to understand and to love, yes.

Best,

Nicolas