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I generally gravitate to the more complicated or technical watches.
But the True Second is a contrarian piece. It is a strap monster, and recently I have been wearing it on an ostrich, which also seems classic JLC. The jumping hour hand is great for travel, but the crown is a bit small, delicate, and fiddly for changing dates while groggy in the dark on a red eye. One more endearing feature of the watch is the fine high pitch whirring of the rotating winding rotor. It is a personal reminder that this is not a quartz and the hand motion would lead a non watch lover to assume.
Jaeger Lecoultre Geophysic True Second and Universal Time: The review.
How to start? With the launch of the Tribute, Jaeger-Lecoultre had the secret idea to build a whole new family with the Geophysic. The Tribute was the first member, playing the card of the past, clearly, with one concession, the movement, which is not man...
There is no secret anymore. The Geophysic family just got bigger and better
I need to review the Geophysic article at least three more time to catch all the great new stuff. Big thank you for all the work you do to bring these great surprises to our life. Thanks Bill
Not convinced,even if the UT is ..catching
The dead second leaves me cold,especially after great examples of this complication from other brands(mainly indies). The universal time is nice looking,but follows a "group "strategy? Vc,Montblanc and now JLC , seem there is one for every pocket... Nice ...
Well, world timers are not new, for JLC...
Look at the Extrem World Alarm, or the Extrem World Chronograph. It's been alost ten years JLC is playing with this complication. It was not illogic JLC went for a new and more elegant world time. With the former WT, we had another complication, the alarm...
Let me rephrase..
JLC have all the legitimacy,so have many other brands,to decline this complication once again..it is in their heritage indeed... We can't deny though that the comparison with very recent offerings from brands of the same group is almost inevitable... lets...
Well, you can say the same for Chonographs...
If it has two subdials and a column wheel, then it is an alter ego of the Patek, Vacheron, Longines, Minerva, and so on... Same for the World Times: Look at the vintage Cottier, Patek, Vacheron, and so on... They all look the same. Same for Vintage Diving...
Agree on all looking pretty much the same...
and that is a bit...discouraging at times,but hell,to each his own...The dead second is a beautiful feature,one of my favourite complication across the board so I welcome that. I saw the watch last night...much better impression live,its very nice,I am wo...
I saw an intriguing detail...
The angles of the bridges are beveled, but not polished... Nice, but does that mean that we'll have a superlative decoration on pieces to come? I absolutely share your obsession for the Duometre, but it is not a secret, here. All the best, Nicolas
I also got that feeling...
All of a sudden Universal Times are being presented by 'everyone'. Guess that Montblanc started something... Do have to say though that the JLClooks very nice. Much more refined than the Montblanc. But at Montblancs price point I guess that is a given. Ab...
Not sure about " all of a sudden "...
Vacheron came with their WT some 5 years ago, Patek WT was born ( the modern, not the vintage ) in 2000, Tissot some 3 years ago, only Montblanc launched their Orbis Terrarum this year, but JLC had several WT during these last 10 years, always with an add...
Re.
I have the Patek and Vacheron world timers and just picked up the steel JLC UT. They all have similarities in that there is a world time disk and the hour hand can be moved in discrete increments independent of the minute hand, but beyond that there are d...
Aaah, msimhamb, I would love to see the family picture!
Thank you so much for this interesting feedback. I agree on many points. I am not a fan of folding buckles which most of the time " pinch " my wrist. So a pin buckle ala TT Geophysic would have been more interesting for me. I have to agree with you on the...
Thanks for the comprehensive report Nicolas
I do like the Universal time the most (in steel). It will be interesting to see it live. The dead seconds watch I am less convinced about. I appreciate the movement, but the overall look doesn't quite do it for me. I think the date is the issue. I prefer ...
agree! loving the Universal Time
dead beat second on world timer with a fine dial...JLC hit the right spots IMHO cheers -- Seeks
Just as a quick 1st reply: To me, very nice arrivals in a another seminal post of yours.. My personal fav - of course - The WT/ss :)))
Love the oveall appeal and also the philosophy behind it. Geophysic, travellng, adventure, exploring the world, plus the cute metaphor of a projection starting at North Pole .. Size wise it seems very pleasing, for eye & your wrist ! As a first response t...
Thanks for your input, my friend.
The UT is pretty convincing, I think many will agree. Now, the difference in price between the steel True Second and the World Time is too huge, I totally agree with that. The 6 K euros premium is too high, in my opinion. Other than that, a pretty convinc...
Not only the dial, but also the module. But yes, I get your point.
There are two ways to see it: OR the True Second is not expensive enough, OR the Universal Time is too expensive. Best, Nicolas
Well.. The future is already now !.. Love the new arrival !.. Thx for your kind looking & your encouragement.. Best & HAGWE !
Geophysic Universal Time Lots of charme & appeal Viewing the world.. Sending you & yours kind greetings ! hs ...
Well, in a way yes & no.. Still have my Geographic ( no real WT, but close)..
.. And then the Black Memovox international; also here functionally almost a WT, although the cities are more indication.. Thus, generally speaking 3, in fact 1 - This one ! Best, hs PS: Meanwhile I have parted from the MMV International ( was a safe quee...
UTC is a winner:
- No date - A design in the line of the VC worldtimer but slimmer, and also nicer than the Montblanc - A correct time zone for Moscow (for the non PP worldtimer fans like me) - A steel version that seems the best from photos (and the best metal to travel ...
Thanks for your feedback, Phileas. The choice of steel is a good point.
I didn't see it this way, to be honest, but for travels, it is indeed better to have a steel watch... Even if you have to know a watch is in precious metal when it is in... White metal. Best, Nicolas.
Great review Nicolas!
Saw the watch last night at the London Boutique! A small party to celebrate the new watch and movement! Apparently the "True Second" name came from James Gurney of SalonQP. Of course it is reminiscent of Rolex and TruBeat. The balance wheel is also simila...
Perfect presentation and superb watch !
Beau travail Nico; J'ai hâte de voir l'universal time en réel ! Ciao !
Thank you Nico
for a FANTASTIC introduction. The Universal Time, especially in steel, is a super cool watch. Patek has World Times but those watches are always made of "noble" metal. But in steel, wow! Furthermore, the dial is really attractive and not as brighter and (...
Very nice, both
And thanks for both bringing us the news somewhat sooner and - as usual - in a truly comprehensive fashion. I agree with your comment on the UT - it is difficult to tell at a glance which city is used as a basis. But otherwise excellent. I fell the True S...
Will try to do so - there seem to be several ADs around
And a shop which may be an official Boutique
I need to see "in metal" ...
Nicolas, Again and again, a post to save. Congratulations. I'm not, as of now, a particular fan of "dead seconds" but ... tastes changes. About the Universal Time, I got some non-Vlad pictures of it this morning and my initial reaction was "corny!!!". The...
Thanks for your kind words, Nilo.
I tried to describe as well was I could the charm of this dial, but see it in the real, play with it under different angles and perspectives, you will see. Best, Nicolas
I saw in metal and ...
They didn\'t smile for me. I believe that the dead seconds is a great technology feat but I\'m old fashioned and I prefer the running seconds not jumping "a la quartz". Cheers, Nilo
Thank you!
Nico, Well, you know I've been eagerly anticipating finding out what JLC had up its sleeve. Thank you for a comprehensive introduction! This is a very interesting development. I'll admit I'm not sure about whether the ticking seconds complication appeals ...
Several interesting points, Esharp...
The Dead Seconds is a very special feature. I guess that for those who are used with " continuous " seconds may be a bit disoriented, indeed. Now, as for the date window, I share your taste, but that was predictable. Same for the wording on the dial. Less...
Nice introduction - thanks
Hi Nicolas, Well done, great pictures and - not least - a personal opinion based on your long history with JLC. When I first saw the two watches a while ago, I immediately reacted to the UT version. Beautifully done, great complication, etc. But the True ...
The austerity of the True Second... It is truly that. ;)
Technical and discrete. Almost " intellectual ". I would have loved it with less wording and no date, but it is just my opinion and taste. Some will regret that the Geophysic family gets bigger, I don't agree. As long as the watches are interesting... Bes...
thank you Nicolas
for this review, perfect. I was wake up at 3 AM as announced to read it, but other insiders gave us the information earlier in the night. As the others I need to see the watch in metal, the 41.6 of the UT doesn't fit me à priori. I also think JLC for the ...
Aaah, the screws on the dial...
That's a detail which intrigued me, I must say, when I first saw the watch. JLC didn't want to take the risk to see the dial moving in case of shock. It would have been better without, though. But technically, where to fix the base of the dial, in total s...
We are convinced..
Ambos and I had the luck to get delivery of these. Thank you JLC! Will post further macros later. The dial is fine and detailed cheers -- Seeks ...
Initial comparisons
Apologies for the quality... Only 1.1mm difference, but visually substantially bigger looking ...
Congratulations to you, too. A good point that these watches are immediately available.
Interesting size comparison, too. Best, my dear friend. Nicolas
Important detail/ difference
Not marketed by JLC in their usual humble way... But for us Geeks, worthwhile mentioning: there is a special series most likely only sold via JLC Boutiques which will be a very limited run ( say 100?) for early birds! Compare the official movement photos ...
Is that a feature or missing parts?
I must say I was underwhelmed with the aesthetics of the True Seconds when I first saw it last night, but these wrist shots from Ambos and the comparison to the TT Geophysic 1958 has me re-evaluating my stance. It's starting to grow on me. But these price...
This collection should have been called the Geomatic True Second and Universal Time
Here's a picture of the original Geophysic and Geomatic from right here on PuristsPro. The True Second dial and hands derive directly from this Geomatic; even the two lines of text above the 6 o'clock and especially the date calendar. link to the post: ww...
Yes, I agree with you on that. Geomatic True Second, but imagine...
A MUT 38, 39 or even 40 case, with this dial and hands, and this Cal 770... A hit! Best, Nicolas
Anything but the Geophysic moniker IMHO. These two watches
especially the True Second have their lineage (and would align better) in collections other than the Geophysic line IMHO. I would 100% accept them as modern Geomatics or part of the MUT line. They should have kept the Geophysic collection for watches with...
Agreed on your thoughts about the Geomatic. It would have been a nice one!
It is mainly a problem of name, and case, then. Best, Nicolas
I agree with all this.
The Cal 770 as a Geomatic in a 38mm case would be very hard to resist. To me 40mm is too big for a time-only watch - too much empty space on the dial. I must say that I sometimes feel frustrated by JLC. I admire their history and their technical prowess, ...
I think not! But
I did try this watch in the metal and was pleasantly surprised. The cal 770 is an interesting movement and it would fill a gap in my collection. But as reintitan has explained the watch should clearly be a Geomatic. I can hardly believe that one word on a...
Exactly!
Nicely decorated with perlage and clearly intended as the bolts on the base plate to secure the other bridge are missing.
In Nico's pics above the steel UT movement (photo #45) does not have the bridge either
while the steel True Second movement (photo #30) does have the bridge. Since both movements use cal. 770 as a base calibre the base plates should be interchangeable. Perhaps some True Second watches were assembled with UT base plates? Or maybe they are as...
No, no... When I took the pictures, as you can see, JLC was assembling some movements.
So, I take a movement without bridge, just for the picture, just to see more of the Gyrolab. Best, Nicolas
Ah yes!
I just saw this post about the early bird version. The dealer explained it to me when I bought mine but he wasn\'t clear how many would comprise the early bird movement. I will take some more photos and add to my thread.
Wow! Congratulations, my friend. That was pretty fast...
So, if I got it well, YOU got the Universal Time? Bravo! All the best, Nicolas
Yes I did!
I didn\'t have much of choice after seeing it in the metal! In the midst of taking some macros and will post shortly Thanks for the great review - much have taken you along time!! Much appreciated from all of us -- Seeks
Great writeup Nico! Agree re: the date, the auto, and those pesky 2 lines! Steel is nice!
Rose gold, I'm not so sure. I love the case of the dead second, but when I see the date and know it's automatic, my preference shifts to the straight MC date.
I must confess that I was more convinced by the Universal Time, too.
Thanks for your feedback, my friend.
I don't know where you read that these to new Geophysics are antimagnetic.
For me, they are not, while the Tributes are... Best, Nicolas
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