dxboon
[Elite User]
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Good design is timeless
Another great post, Nicolas! What really struck me when looking at the pictures of the Geophysic on your wrist is the sheer modernity of it. Save for the clearly vintage (but very clean!) nature of the case, dial, and hands, the watch looks like it could be a model from the current JLC catalog. It just goes to show that a strong, well-proportioned design stays evergreen -- always fresh, always relevant.
Thanks again for another wonderful, informative article.
Cheers,
Daos
An in depth review on the Géophysic E 168
- Introduction - The Géophysic is certainly one of these watches which counts a lot in the JLC History, along with the Reverso, the Pilot Watches, the Future Matic, and the Memovoxes ( Deep Seal Alarm, Polaris, E 855 ... ). It was released in 1958, among ...
And again, a splendid review
I simply love the looks of the Geophysic as well as the Geomatic. And since you asked, I prefer the Calypso hands. Tool watches are great, but even more if they don't look like tool watches. This is the kind of watch that 007 should be wearing underneath ...
There is something powerful and elegant in this Geophysic, indeed, Starman.
What is funny is that I spoke of it with some big JLC Collectors who of course get the interest of this watch, but don't like it... It is one of my very favourite Vintage JLC, let's say in my top five. As for your request, my friend, my favourite answer w...
Excellent!
Beautifully researched and put together. I enjoy seeing watches and their calibers put into the context of the history of the brand -- -and JLC has quite an illustrious history! Best, m
A mine of treasures
The JLC Past in a real mine of treasures, Meehna... And some of these treasures from the Past have a nice connection with Present. Thanks for your nice words, my friend. Best, Nicolas
Ah, Nico, I think I've seen this movie before! You are obviously . . .
. . . Cary Grant, and the Gèophysic is Grace Kelly ;-) . . .
The difference between Cary and me is
That I would know how to not stay in front of the door... Best, Art! Nicolas
. . . and you undoubtedly have a bigger . . .
. . . watch collection, too! With a wink and a nod, Art
Fantastic. Pure class.
if I was wearing a hat, I would take it off for you my friend. Chapeau! , a pleasure to read and watch. Thanks for the enjoyment. Vte
My pleasure, Vicente.
You're too kind with me, my friend. Aren't you tempted, contaminated by one of these beauties??? Best, Nicolas
Pura delicia.
Too kind?, don't think so. I just share what I feel. Tempted? Without any doubt! It's amazing how beautiful your watch looks, as I said, pure class. I love the way the brown/orange stitch matches the patina on the hands, there is where I found the "class"...
Interesting review !
JLC is becoming more and more appealing to me ... is this thanks to the moderator ? These geos have a timeless design as all great watches have, not to speak about heritage. Thanks for the report and please never cease to amaze us Nicolas ! Filip
It is difficult to not fall in love with this one, Filip.
It is hard to believe that this Géophysic is 50 years old, indeed. I just hope that JLC will, one day, re interpret this myth! Best, my friend. Nicolas
Spade hands for me, no doubt !
Thanks a lot for this superb post Nico. The watch deserves it ! Fr.Xavier
It is impossible not to love watches after review like this
thank you so much for another legendary review .... this one will be used in future in case my children will show some signs of not being watch nuts ... :0))) this will be the text to "cure" them (along some other of your jewels) ll the best and thank you...
Thanks, Damian.
So, you want your children to be watchnuts? Sure? Best, my friend. Nicolas
Not tempted, Milan?
With your awesome collection of Vintage JLC, you never considered getting one of these Chronometers? Best, Nicolas
Once again....
you have given us a great review... Many thanks my friend..... Cheers ps please decide between 007 and Cary Grant..... lol
Fascinating report, Nicolas
Thank you for posting this. That 478 is a very nice looking movement, especially as finished by VC as the Cal P 1008. I really like the Geophysic with its three hands, no date. The parallel you draw between its dial and the Duometre is incredible. I love ...
Respo, a coincidence may only be a coincidence, my friend.
It was pure innocence... You don't believe me? I love these " bridges " between Past and Present, and if you have a close eye to the moern production, there is always ( or almost ) something borrowed from the Past. The next SIHH will be a HIT, my friend. ...
Glad it is so rare
Hi Nicolas, another great insight into JLC history! You know that I am new to JLC vintage watches, and once again you brought a wonderful watch to my attention. So stern, so clean, so modern. If there were not the name and the numbers on the dial, one cou...
This Geophysic is one of many treasures from the JLC Vintage world, my friend.
Along with the Future Matic, the Divers, the Memos, the Géomatic, the Triple Calendars, the Reverso, the Military, and a few others... Entering this world is like being bitten. The nice cases, the sublime lugs, the timeless dials, there are so many reason...
Remember what I told you in front of the little shop in Paris?
I said I had no intention to start a collection with a topic. JLC vintage watches surely would be a great theme to collect and so it is better that the Geophysic is hard to find. I better leave Pandora's box alone But thank you very much for trying, mon a...
I have my doubts
because we must all be crazy to spend so much money for so small things. Best, Martin
Never say never my friend.....
Time has the art of making you do things that you thought that would never do.... Cheers
You are very right
For example up to very recently I never thought that I would ever have some tasty Feuerzangenbowle together with a watchnut diplomat You know why I wrote "I had no intention to..."? Because I know only too well what you mean! Best, Martin
Thank you Nicolas
Hi Nicolas, Thank you and congratulations for your great article on the history of my favourite watch! After reading your words and watching your pics I wonder if that would be a good idea to create a new Geophysique as I doubt that they could do as well,...
I totally share your point of view...
There is nothing to remove from a perfect watch, and touching a Myth is too dangerous, IMO. IT would be better to start from nothing and to create a new myth, indeed, and I hope JLC will hear us in our prays. I'm pretty sure you will find one, Jerome. You...
feel so good to read your post and see these classic beauty...
thanks very much, Nico for giving us opportunity to see all these classic beauty. feel so good to see them and learn their characteristics and charm. yes, you are quite right, geophysic has different DNA and charm. after seeing the comparison of them side...
Géophysic, Géomatic...
To be honest, if I had to choose one from these 2, it would be the Géophysic, less elegant than the Géomatic, but more ...powerful. BUT, I love a lot my Géomatic, and I'm very happy to own one. i love it so much that I'm even considering ad...
Some additional material on original packaging
Below, another exemplar of the "sputnik" leaflet (I believe there were more than 2 of these issued.. or that would mean that the one below is actually the second and last one, which I doubt) : And next, the book-shaped Geophysic box for the Jubilee, which...
I spoke about the sputnik box, not the leaflets, Clavi.
But you're a damn lucky guy to own one of them! As well as the " Book "! Thanks for sharing these awesome pics. Best, nicolas
There have only been a very few...
...professors in my academic experience that could do what you have just done in this posting. You have woven a great deal of knowledge and history into an extremely enjoyable artistic tapestry depicting a major accomplishment by JLC. Now I need to own on...
You're too kind, Neil
It is only pleasure, Neil, to take the time to prepare these reviews. Sometimes, I have an idea, and from time to time, I take the time to build the post, to think aout it, to improve and complete it. That's all, nothing else than pleasure. As for the wat...
Always on top of the game Nico...
thanks for a comprehensive and clear rewiew my friend.I like especially the ref to the grainy dial of the duometre!!!!eh Eh!!!And some say that the duo is not jlc dna????????crazy people.......Mo
Aaah, Mo
The grainy dial on the Géophysic is so special... The only problem is that it is not easy to find a piece with a dial in good condition, as the watch seems to have a hard life... I don't know why, but I feel you're dangerously in love with the Suomet...
Just fantastic!
Easily a week's worth of reading, ogling and fun, you have all my favorite watches in there. Thanks so much for your sterling scholarship, research and presentation! (I hope JLC is also appreciative )
Thank you so much, Steve
And thank you for having let me use your pics, which are some of the best ever posted. Aaah, by the way, you did have a brilliant idea to put a see through case back on your Geophysic. The movement is worth it! Best, my friend. Nicolas
Your review is wonderful and let me know much more
about JLC wonderful past and present! Keep up the good work. Thank you very much! Best regards, Baxter
Love the packaging of the watch...
Thank you for the extensive review Nicholas! Photos, history, wrist-shots, friend's watch, and everything I could think of! This in many ways is also a book review, since we got a taste of what Zaf Basha's book entails. I especially appreciated the review...
There are some nice ideas to grab from the past, indeed.
The packaging, as well as the watches, Patrick. JLC already did it with the Polaris and its special packaging, by the way. Best, my friend, and thanks for your nice comments. nicolas
outstanding review
Thanks so much. There is something incredibliy appealing about the purity of the dial, the chronometer inside and the history you describe. Great start of the day for me to read this review. Best Andreas
Thanks a lot for your nice comments, Andreas.
Very well put, my friend. The magic blend of a tool watch which is also an elegant watch. Difficult to beat! Best, my friend. nicolas
Geophysic E 168
Thanks a lot for this excellent indepth review, let me add some scans of my Geophysic in 9kt YG from UK with the logo engraved in the back...
There are 3 stunning details on your watch.
The Logo, which is engraved on the case back, and this is the first time I see that. A friend of mine made me observe that your is a British 9 Cts YG Case...I didn't know that it existed in YG. The Buckle, which is also in 9 Cts Gold. May I ask you more p...
Interesting...and coherent with the Géophysic production years.
It wasn't said that the Géophysic came with a 9 cts Case, but it is said that 2500 movements were made. When you number all the Geophysics made, you reach a bit more than 1400, all metals and references included. So, there is a gap, and yours may fit the ...
Thanks a lot, Lorenzo.
I'm on the hunt for THE correct Géophysic Buckle... Thanks for posting yours! Best, Nicolas
Thank you, Nicolas ...
and good luck for your hunt! ... the last pic with his new boyfriend ;-) Lorenzo...
You're building a Chronometer Collection?
That's another endless Thema, my friend. And a beautiful one, too! Congrats, and good luck... I feel we'll exchange a lot about this. Nicolas
Outstanding work Nicolas !
thanks to you I have re-discovered this great watch ! Cheers Jeff
A myth we don't often speak about, Jeff. Right!
There are other Marvels in the Vintage JLC wonderland than the Polaris, the DSA the Memos in general, or the Reverso. You made me re discovering so many nice watches, my friend, that for once, it is Justice that it is my turn! Best, and thanks for your ni...
Good design is timeless
Another great post, Nicolas! What really struck me when looking at the pictures of the Geophysic on your wrist is the sheer modernity of it. Save for the clearly vintage (but very clean!) nature of the case, dial, and hands, the watch looks like it could ...
That's the definition of a Timeless piece, Daos
An eternal modernity, a kind of Dorian Grey...In better! You seem to be ready to " Dive " into the JLC World, Sister. Take care! Best, nicolas
Patience, Most Evil One! :-) LOL!
All will be revealed in time. Shouldn't you be eating birthday cake right now? Daos
I agree. He has clearly finished his slice of cake...
...and is sitting in front of the computer now! LOL! Cheers, Daos
Aha...I see...
What could it be??? Forget the cake, and tell us all! Best. Vlad Dracul;
géophysique pink gold
Hi Nicolas, Your post is very interesting. You say you have only seen 4 or 5 geophysic pink gold, i've got one, if you are interesting I can send you pics. Best regards, Franck from Paris
Hi, Franck!
Yes, of course, I'm very interested to see it! As I also live in Paris, this would not be very difficult to find the time to meet. PM me please! Best and welcome here, by the way. Nicolas
géophysique
Hi Nicolas, With pleasure. I leave close to the Bourse and I work at the "Maison de la Radio". Let me know when we could meet close to one of these places. Best Regards, Franck [Email address suppressed for privacy]
You have PM.
Please check you received it and confirm it to me, as I have some doubts about our PM system... Thanks, Nicolas
classic, timeless, elegant and of the highest quality is xhat can be said of the geophysic
The geophysic is a very understated watch but a great one with a top quality movement. Thanks again for sharing these beauties amanico best regards georges
Well, I do tjhink that the Geophysic is among the 5 Top Vintage JLC watches.
There is something very special with the Geophysic. When you don't know JLC and that you see it for the first time, you are not that impressed, at the contrary of a Polaris,n Deep Sea Alarm, Reverso, or even a simple Memovox. It is not the most beautiful,...