robbo400
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I was lucky enough
to be in the JLC Geneva boutique this lunchtime but unfortunately the new Master Géographique was not in stock. The Manager was not around and the assistant I spoke with had no idea when it would be arriving or the price. Shame...as it looks so beautiful in the review and I was ready to pull the triggar if it looked as good in the flesh!
I guess my one frustration (from the few pictures I've seen) is that the city dial has blocked out the minute track and batons betweeen 4 and 8, as in previous models (although I think the original model retained batons for 11 and 1 deeper in the dial when the city indicator was at 12 o'clock) . Ralph Lauren use the JLC movement, I am told, on their corresponding model and managed to fit the minute track under the city dial. I had hoped JLC would do similar. But, the new model's sheer beauty means I can easily overlook this!!
Hopefully, I'll get to see the new model in the flesh soon.
JLC SIHH 2011: The Master Géographique.
The Master Geographique has always been an important watch, in my personal journey into horology, as it was one of the very first JLC which amazed me, with the Memovox. At that time, in the 90ies, which other brand did offer such a complication? Patek cam...
Reminds me of the RDM...
And I love both watches! If I travelled more I would definitely consider this watch. Thanks for the photos.
Interesting how JLC is moving forward by going backwards...
if you get what i mean This certainly is a nice execution. I was never a big fan of these types of watches but for what it is, this maybe one of the most "readable" out there and it's done with not much fanfare. elegance in simplicity. should be interesti...
By the way, a stupid question...
Is it possible to just show the reference country instead of showing all the others? I'm not sure that that's how world times should go or if that question makes sense. I'm under the impression that if you change countries, that you automatically change t...
Yes, Echi, that is how it works.
The time and the city are corrdinated. Change the city, you change the time. As for your first remark, here you easily see the time on the city of the world you selected: The triangle just above indicates you the town, without chances to be mistaken. Best...
Haha, same here. I fear a black dial is released,
along with the newer type bracelet from the Hometime This version looks better to me, now that the dial is flat as opposed to the earlier one which was elevated around the circumference. Love the longer hands too, as you said. Just wish that the crowns ar...
So JLC knows what to do to sell 2 more Geos... Black dial! :)
As for the location of the crowns, I feel it is dictated by the movement, and that there is no other possibility than this one, Goh. Best, Nicolas.
Well, I think you know how I feel about
The Master Geographique. This was my favourite release of any model from any brand this year. I need to see it in the metal, but I think JLC created a lovely balance of elegance between the proportions, case and dial. You said it Nicolas, this is an "eleg...
The hunter case back...
That was a detail which pleased me a lot, on the Master Geographique from the 90ies. We are indeed very difficult and exigeant guys, but I believe that is the way to go. Look at the way JLC improved their watches, re worked the cases etc... It is a win wi...
Yes I do. I think almost every evolution in their line up
has involved substantial improvements the last two years, especially to their cases. I cannot think of another brand that can compete when it comes to constant improvement... and with limited controversary. The last two years have been remarkable. Best my...
For me, there are 2 things I'd like to see...
The first purely aesthetic, the second more design-oriented: (1) the stainless steel version presented on a Navy or dark blue strap - to help bring out the hands on the subdials, and (2) the day/night indicator for the world-timer to go back to the circul...
Thanks for your very valuable input, Dean ...
As for your point one, I guess it won't be very difficult to get a different strap. As for your point 2, now that is a bit more difficult, as I don't see JLC changing it, or, at least, not in a close future. I agree with you, though, on this point. As wel...
Nice look Nicolas, I also enjoy this "new" design and
the balance seems to be back, hard to describe. I am wondering on the case metals, Stainless steel and rose gold only? Is there a WG lurking around or Platinum? The black face will be a keeper. Best to all, Tim
For the moment, RG and SS only, Tim.
But I'm looking for some more ... Diversity. Black dial, black dial, black dial, black dial... JLC, are you hearing us? Best, Nicolas.
What a great look into an iconic piece for JLC
Thanks! It is no doubt simple, refined, elegant and dressy--the direction JLC seems to be taking with the Master series. But a few things I don't understand: Why is the case so much thicker than previous generations? This is evident by the deep spacer see...
I love your answers, Ken ...
They are always well argumented, and drive me to re think what I wrote and what I felt when working on my texts. The Master HT, as shown on your picture, is 40 mm big, while this latest bGéo is 39 mm, which may be seen as a path in the good direction...
Hits all my "want to have" strings
Hi Nicolas, thanks for your presentation of this marvel. Its classic lines and design features appeal to me very much, so I am very lucky that I have no real need for a travel watch indicating two time zones. This watch should make travelling more of a pl...
The tendance is indeed clearly to smaller cases, for some years, now ...
At JLC. Which is an excellent thing, at least for me. This Geographique is a classic, now, which saw several evolutions since its birth, some ... 22 years ago: Some were sporty, others dressy, both friendly. A tempting offer... Best, and thanks for your i...
I am going to need some time
to think this through. One thing is for sure, the officer case back would have been better. Best regards, george
Like you, the Master Geographic holds a special memory for me
as the first JLC with which I fell in love several years ago. It was this and the Master Geo Compressor that led me firmly to JLC. I was surprised to read this that you wrote: At that time, in the 90ies, which other brand did offer such a complication? Pa...
Do you have any other watch from any other brand which ...
Offered such a complication at that time, Respo... Was really wondering, but I didn't find any other in my small brain. Ok, I put you on the list for a black dialed version? Best, Vlad.
Well, I am quite certain your brain is bigger
...than mine, so I take your word for it that there was no other watch with that complication from any other brand. Go JLC!!! Add me to the list...and I'll add that one to my list. ;-) Best, respo
This has always been
One of my favorite JLC complications. To my eyes one of the nicest and most useful. I see an iteration of this watch in my collection at a certain point. Nicolas, your comments are right on the money. I concur totally - the previous was a setback and "goi...
Some answers, Christian.
But first of all, a question: Where did you see a polished and matt angle on the hour and minute hands? To me, these are polished Dauphine hands. The curious thing is that it seems that the hands are luminous on the RG, while they are not on the SS versio...
Hmm that is curious..
Thank you, Nicolas. You are right, no lume on the steel but on the gold. And it seems from the case back number that the watch is not a prototype?? I must admit I was just assuming that the hands have a matte side, since JLC have been doing that in the pa...
Definitely protos.
JLC will have to work on the lack of coherence of non luminous hands while there are luminous dots on the dial... Best, Nicolas.
LOL, wow you answer fast my friend :-)
Aah Ok, so they are protos. Right you are that they will both end up with lume on the hands since there are lumedots on the dial. I would like to have see it without. Best Christian
I like this version much better then the previous…
It’s absolutely beautiful! And I think I prefer white dial when it’s so many details on the dial. Two details that surprise me: 1. If my eyes don’t deceive me, the only hand that is heated blue is the second hand, the others looks painted… Like on the Mat...
Good remarks, Blomman.
Like you I would say that the only heated blue hand is the central second... All the others being painted, which is regrettable on such a nice watch. As for the crowns, which should be different, I see your point, for an every day use, and to make it even...
Do you know if…
This is the final version or proto? Maybe JLC will change some on the final version? Best, my friend! Blomman
Really good point Blomman
About the white metal working better with all the details. Also I would really like to see all heat blued raher than painted - I think they a making a bit of a silly shortcut here! All the best from here my friend Christian
Yes, the heated blue hands…
Is my favourites! I realized that on the Master HT (and on the Geo as well) – you have hands with mixed blue/steel. Then it’s difficult to make heated blue… But on the other hand – why not make the whole hand blue… As you can...
I spent the past few minutes thinking what not to like about this watch.
Can't seem to find one just yet. Well, maybe if they could move the left crown to the right like the Master World Geographic or the Memovox if you get the picture. But that is negligible. Nice dial layout, good case size, perfect. Ruckdee
I fear it won't be possible, Ruckdee.
Because of the movement, which requires to have a crown on the left, and another on the right side. Best, Nicolas.
I really like the watch but...
The city names on the bottom are a big turn off for me. The watch is very beautiful the dail is balanced and I love when a second time zone comes with a full watch dail instead of just an extra hand or a 24 hour sub dail.It's just that I live someplace an...
I love the eleganceof the dial, Nicolas...
A real elegant watch , i am trying to imagine what the dial would look like in a gunmetal color, my favorite one... Cheers. Luc
Thanks for your input, Luc.
As soon as a doark dial arrives, I'll let you know! Best, Nicolas.
marvellous synchronicity....
Delicious to read your article about the new Master Geographique Nicolas, just as I received my World Geographique this week. Here is 1 pic, I will post more in another dedicated JLC forum explaining further this marvellous synchronicity. Thank you again ...
Great idea and synchronicity, indeed.
Can't wait to read your first feelings, and to see your pics, Francois. Great catch! Best, Nicolas.
this one is quite appealing to me...
... comparing two types of metal for the case, as Blomman said, SS looks better to be able to show the details of the dial, especially the blue hands match relatively well with the while dial. however having said that, i find it seems too many hands with ...
An alternative to the Master H.T?
A complement! Seriously, that would do such an exciting pair. Well, I say that, I say nothing. Best, Stefan. 666
Late as always...
But I hope you don't mind me saying that I like this new version. Even though I already own the RDM this bird would still get a warm welcome! Can't wait to see the black dialed version. What I like is the 39 mm case, small bezel, thick case, awesome dial;...
Some answers, Starman.
1/ The dial has a sunburst finish. 2/ As for the price, it is somewhere around 6500 Euros for the SS version, of course. I can't remember correctly. 3/ The black Geogaphique is in all our prays, but it has not been announced. We all wish that JLC will hea...
"new" Master GEO
Great! I've the version of the 90' and the 2000 something with 41.5mm (ss) - what I was really missing was a look at my watch to have the information at one quick look - I feel, both are missing clarity and calmness on the face. The "new" GEO looks like i...
Some points can indeed be improved ...
But that is a the common law of watches, don't you think? Clattering? What do you mean by clattering? English is not my native tongue, so I don't understand this word. Best, Nicolas.
World clarification
clattering means ratting i.e. it makes noise when you alter the position of the watch. Sure, improvements are to be made everywhere, or at least should be made. However, I consider sme brands matured and the higher the price, the more one expects I guess....
Are you speaking about the noise of the rotor?
In this case, it may be due to the use of the ceramic ball bearings. Thanks for the translation. Best, Nicolas.
Rotor and Ceramic Balls
No I am afraid, the 2001 rotor version was not ceramic ball mounted. So it is really down to the flexible time zone/city sub-dial here. The ceramic ball mounted rotor is a different question but also a very good one. I've got the 2004 version of the Maste...
Relived love.. Reloved life .. Again :))
Well, also somewhat late I am and after a pretty big smile at first, when I saw those great pics: - so familiar, so much liked, so much JLC for me, as for many. -- then repeatedly looked on these pictures, now some remarks, no better - feelings: ( what co...
Thanks for your remarks, hs.
So, if I got it well, bigger luminous dots, for you, and black dial, eeh? This is indeed an elegant watch to live with, and I specially loved what you wrote about your watch and travels. Bring yours with you when you travel to Paris! Best, Nicolas.
I was lucky enough
to be in the JLC Geneva boutique this lunchtime but unfortunately the new Master Géographique was not in stock. The Manager was not around and the assistant I spoke with had no idea when it would be arriving or the price. Shame...as it looks so beaut...
Dots - OK .. Black - to be hoped.. All - Bien sur !
Well, Nicolas, thanks for those kind words: - Exactly: the already bigger luminous dots - guess they are that way also for the current model, but not sure about this; Dots on all indices's postions are desirable for me - the size of those fine, as is IMO;...
Thanks for your input, hs.
Can't get rid of admiring this Geo... Yes, I hope to meet BOTH of you in Paris. There are watches, like this one, which saw many horizons, and shared a lot of our life. Which adds to their Beauty, Charm and to our love story with them. Love these watches!...
A fascinating update of this classic!
Sorry to be slow in reading your excellent post, Nicolas! This is a beautiful piece, in my opinion -- and a very different take on the classic Geo. I like that JLC has taken an entirely different direction by eliminating the "stepped up" chapter ring at t...
You're absolutely correct.
The window of the cities of the world at 12, then at 6, now without outer chapter ring, all these details really change the perception we have on the watch. The best would be to get the 3 variations of the Geo! Best, Gary, and thanks a lot for your valuab...
I share your fears...
Many thanks for the introduction. Another 'improved' watch of the Master line. All these small changes on the case result in a much more pleasant overall appearance (same applies for this year's perpetual calendar). The new cases back then introduced with...
Thanks for your input, Ambos.
The problem is that this year, there are too many tempting watches coming at he same time, and that we'll have hard time for decisions. Hence the possibility to wait a bit, till nest year, to see if the black dial comes... But what will come next year? Ot...
IMO it rivals the MUT 39 as…
…the most attractive JLC 2011 release, Nicolas. I really like it much better than the previous model. As you know, I’m a fan of blue hands, and seems to me the big (seconds) one is heated while the small are “painted”. Is that right? Marcelo
Eagle eye, Marcelo... you're totally correct.
Yes, Marcello, it is a strongly appealing offer, this year, from JLC. Best, my friend. Nicolas.