Jaeger-LeCoultre

Hello,

I am thinking of getting my 1st JLC watch. So far I have found the JLC Master Calendar in Rose Gold ( pic below ) to be quite appealing. I will like to ask fellow forum members here if this is a good starter watch for this brand? How well regarded is this watch in JLC vast portfolio?

My brief opinions are :

(+) Watch has an overall excellent look and have to say I do like it.
(+) The finishing is excellent especially on the case
(+) It's dial is very well layout and very easy to read
(+) Great wrist presence


(-) It's not a perpetual or even a annual calendar so the complication is not that exciting or ground breaking.
(-) The movement in the display back is not that well decorate and looks boring
(-) JLC generally poor resale value, a concern if I need to sell the watch in future
(-) A bit of a duplicate with my Patek 5205

If this is not a good option for JLC, then what others? Note that it must be a rose gold watch and of similar but not higher price range.

Any feedback appreciated. Thanks.



Rgds
Ben

I need to know more about your tastes.

According to your picture, you are after a classy, elegant timepiece.

Of course, this Master Calendar is a nice option. Is it necessary to get it in rose gold? Isn't the SS version " enough "?

The Master Calendar is an old tradition, at the Manufacture, for some 60 years, now.

Here is one of its grand grand father, without moonphase, though:

Now, is there any other option? Of course!

But I need to better konw your tastes.

If sport chic is your thing, then a TT DSA is a great option.

Elegant, too, the Tribute to Reverso 1931, Black, Red, or Duoface Blue: Killing pièces.

If you can push your budget, why not a Duometre? The QL Black Dial is to die for, even better, the Enamel ( but way more expensive ), or the A Chronographe.

Best,

Nicolas

Hi

In stainless steel, the gap with the rose gold Master Calendar is interesting...

Best, and bravo for this nice suggestion.

Nicolas

Hi 

No message body

I think the MUT Moon in pink gold with the beige sunray-brushed dial which someone described as "eggshell" is a gorgeous warm watch, elegant and simple. 

(-) It's not a perpetual or even a annual calendar so the complication is not that exciting or ground breaking.
As amanico pointed out, the perpetual is available just in different case sizes. The Master Ultra Thin Perpetual is slimmer (http://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/US/en/watches/master-ultra-thin-perpetual/1302520#/t1) and the Master Eight Days Perpetual (http://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/US/en/watches/master-eight-days-perpetual-40/1612420#/t1) is very slightly larger.

(-) The movement in the display back is not that well decorate and looks boring
The MUT Perpetual isn't any different in that regard. The Master Eight Days Perpetual, however, has a more interesting hand-winding, 8-days movement ... if you like the dial first, that is.

Photo credit: www.jaeger-lecoultre.com m

(-) JLC generally poor resale value, a concern if I need to sell the watch in future
Okay. That seems like a universal truth across the board for this brand.

(-) A bit of a duplicate with my Patek 5205
Uhhh.... I'm not entirely family with Patek numbers but I think the Master Calendar looks more like 5936 than 5205? I'm looking mainly at the dial of course.

I personally like the Master Ultra Thin Moon suggested by JML. Its eggshell dial is very desirable as Spellbound noted. But wrist presence may be more subdued than your original choice. The Eight Days I bring up may have the movement that pleases you more but then its dial is quite busy.

Dilemma, dilemma, so good luck.

Ruckdee

Is another contender!

Best,

Nicolas

Hi Ben,

Good choice, the Master Calendar is a JLC classic and a tremendously charismatic, versatile piece. The complication is useful every day of the year, and the size wears well on most wrists.

While I cannot add much to what Nicolas and Ruckdee have already suggested, I would add that you should consider the vast array of vintage JLC calendar watches that comprise the family tree of the current Master Calendar.

As Nicolas related, the calendar watch is a JLC tradition with over six decades of precedent, and the range of watches using partial and triple calendar movements is enormous. Steel, several types of gold, and even platinum variants have been made; non-round watches have been made; different color dials have been made; day/month displays in several languages are available; case sizes vary by era; different lug, crown, and case shapes have come and gone throughout this series.

If you already find the Master Calendar appealing but feel that a few changes would enhance the watch to your liking, check out JLC's many past models in this series, and you'll probably find *exactly* the JLC calendar you desire.

Best,

Tim

With its officer case back, in stainless steel black dial or platinum blue grey dial, it was a stunner!

Best,

Nicolas

.. here just the plain ss version; I agree, that a grey dial would be nice;
but I still like the subtlety of the silver/white dial with blue accenting of moonphase and strap,
and a tad of red of the calendar tip

- For me it is timeless, with quite a bit of DNA..

- I guess, currently , given the choice from the ones mentioned,
my pick would be the one with the 8-days PR.
Either way, I am still loving mine, which is from 1984.

Here as a little refresher, just 2 pics..

I still wear her quite a bit, but meanwhile the Teardrop TD- Vintage gets more wrist-time..

- just my humble chip-in..

have a great Sunday, all

Best, hs

No message body

.. just for completion:
- Ref is 143.8.42, got it 12/2004...

Best, hs

No message body

Thanks guys for your feedback and comments. Answering some of the questions.

My taste is quite wide. In my collection I have sporty watches like AP offshore and IWC Portuguese and Rolex Explorer II and also elegant dressy watch like Patek 5205 and of course now the JLC Master Calendar is appealing to me. It's kind of hard to nail down. I think the shiny bezel is the most captivating feature for me for the JLC. Also, it's thickness is not so thin that it resembles a coin but have substantial feel and presence to it on the wrist.

I prefer RG to SS for non-sporty watch. I am also consider the Duometre but it's a bit stretching the budget. I drool over the Doumetre Global Time in Rose Gold recently at a JLC boutique and it's gorgeous. Unfortunately, I only have about USD20K to spend for now.

I have tried out the JLC Perpetual calendar but the dial is too busy and hard to read. Also the Master Calendar just looks better. I am not that keen on the "complete calendar" though as I forsee it will be a hassle to adjust. If there is a perpetual or annual calendar version of the Master Calendar, then it will be perfect.

I am not into vintage. I prefer buy modern brand new watches off an AD.

Another contender I am also considering the Vacheron Constantine Patrimony Traditionelle small seconds at the same time. It can be had from my AD for about the same price. The VC is beautiful as well but a bit more understated, and just basic 3 hands function and no calendar. But VC is a member of the trinity, and perhaps more collectible? I am not sure... It sounds like a good idea to complete the trinity since I already have AP and PP.

What do you all think?

There is noe you should consider which is in your budget... The MUT 39, which is available in Rose Gold since this year, or in Pt ( Jubilé edition from last year ).

Now that is a hell of a Watch!

Best,

Nicolas.

Hello benlee338!

I'm biased on this watch.  My first JLC was a Master Moon in stainless steel with a black dial.  To me it was functional, had a cool clear case back, and reliable.  Have you considered this one:

-MW

It was a gift from my father for a significant birthday (coming up next week). I ultimately chose it because of the complications, classic styling and pedigree of the brand (I also own a vintage steel JLC triple date from the late '40s), and in rose gold because it looks so amazing that way. I also tried on the steel version, which IMO would improve greatly with at least blued steel hands such as on the Grand Reverso Calendar Moonphase; there just wasn't enough contrast between the dial and hands when they are all silvered. I don't think the exhibition caseback was really necessary (for me, it almost never is unless a manual movement), but that's what's done these days (I'm mostly a vintage guy anyway). I don't mind advancing the date occasionally, and being an automatic it's nice to keep on the winder. A slight criticism is that I'd prefer to see the day and month in red, as in the vintages and more recent Master Moon. I do really like the Grand Reverso Calendar Moonphase in steel -- that might be on my list too.


Here is my other:



This message has been edited by adam78 on 2014-05-05 17:10:31

Of the original and the nowadays version.

Best,

Nicolas

This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-05-05 22:24:19