JLC - Jaeger-leCoultre cal 822

Jaeger-leCoultre cal 822

Apr 15, 2021,04:45 AM

I have only recently discovered that JLC has revised the construction of its long established calibre 822 movement, still used in many of the new Reverso's. The triovis regulator has gone and the balance is now spring-free inertia with a revised balance cock. Also, the two pivots of the escape wheel appear to no longer have shock protection with the added loss of both end-cap jewels, thereby reducing the overall jewel-count from 21 to 19.

Is all this change an improvement or is it part of cost-savings by JLC? Removing shock protection from a Reverso is counter-intuitive to what was essentially the prime sports watch from 90 years ago! It also seems to me that other JLC calibres have also changed to have inertia balances.

It also now means that when the new watches require servicing over the next ten years, owners will be forced to use JLC's preferred repairers rather than the independents because of new specialist skill and time adjusting equipment, like Rolex.

Will the experts on here please explain why the change? If it is not broken, why fix it?

Best

Clive

Comments: view entire thread

Very interesting question. I will ask them.

By: amanico : April 15th, 2021-07:27

Thank you. Will be very interesting to see their response. I did call them myself but the call was cut off abruptly!

By: chippyfly : April 15th, 2021-08:15

I sent them an email.

By: amanico : April 15th, 2021-08:17

Thanks for pointing this out. Ive seen the 822 so many times, i didnt even realized they changed it!

By: Reuven Malter : April 15th, 2021-07:55

I didn't notice, either.

By: amanico : April 15th, 2021-08:17

Wouldnt you say that operating the 822 is one of the most satisfying things ever? I just love the oldschool sound of this calibre.

By: Reuven Malter : April 15th, 2021-08:39

Coincidently wearing mine today!

By: chippyfly : April 15th, 2021-08:48

aaaah.... Great!

By: Reuven Malter : April 15th, 2021-09:28

No message body

Absolutely!

By: amanico : April 15th, 2021-08:56

I usually always want to have an up to date movement, but in this case, this early 90s movement has such a perfect charme for this line...

By: Reuven Malter : April 15th, 2021-09:29

May I ask when did they change it?

By: Pun : April 15th, 2021-08:53

Just wondering whether my TT 1931 bought in 2017 was with the new one or the older calibre...

I guess no one currently knows, but i tend to think that the change must have happend in the last few years.

By: Reuven Malter : April 15th, 2021-09:30

My supplementary question; it was launched with c822 with 21 jewels, would they change movement in the same model at a later date? Mine is bought new from the boutique in 2017..

By: Pun : April 15th, 2021-21:03

yes, this could very well be the practice. Many Companies do it that way.

By: Reuven Malter : April 15th, 2021-22:50

Here are two shots from the 2013/2014 catalogue

By: eklektik : April 19th, 2021-12:32

The TT1931 was not on the 2015/2016 catalogue, so your watch must have been left on the shelf until your acquisition. The photos show the 21 jewel movement. Best, E. ...

Okay. Thanks for your response. I got it on order from Switzerland after waiting for 2 months.

By: Pun : April 19th, 2021-21:02

It was apparently left with the company somewhere that they discovered in 2017 and fortunately I got it through my Boutique. Anyway its an impressive Reverso with a svelte case...

Shock protection

By: cazalea : April 15th, 2021-14:54

I’m going to tackle one of your questions first. Shock-proofing is most important when the rotating mass is high and the likelihood of shock is high. An example would be a large balance wheel on a slow-beat pocket watch. It’s quite common for balance whee...

No cap jewels on the escape wheel, no "manual" adjustment Escape wheel cap jewels and shock absorption, adjustment on balance (but lots of weights on heavy balance wheel) As for why change it? I think of a comparison with fountain pens and ball point pens...

Thank you Cazalea. I would miss the fine manual adjustment for the balance timing as would repairers I imagine.

By: chippyfly : April 16th, 2021-01:06

Possibly so

By: cazalea : April 16th, 2021-06:54

On the other hand, it is nice to clean and lube a movement, put it back together and not need to tweak things. In theory it won’t change once set when built, and a balance never goes in the cleaning machine (in my experience). Perhaps better, perhaps not ...

Hi Clive, I just received this answer from the Manufacture:

By: amanico : April 19th, 2021-01:10

" The choice was made to update the calibre 822 with a free sprung balance wheel as they are considered far superior in chronometric performance than raquetterie. It enables better adjusting and better performance all together. As far as the removing of t...

Jaeger-LeCoultre

Jaeger-leCoultre cal 822

Jaeger-leCoultre cal 822

Very interesting question. I will ask them.

Thank you. Will be very interesting to see their response. I did call them myself but the call was cut off abruptly!

I sent them an email.

Thanks for pointing this out. Ive seen the 822 so many times, i didnt even realized they changed it!

I didn't notice, either.

Wouldnt you say that operating the 822 is one of the most satisfying things ever? I just love the oldschool sound of this calibre.

Coincidently wearing mine today!

aaaah.... Great!

Absolutely!

I usually always want to have an up to date movement, but in this case, this early 90s movement has such a perfect charme for this line...

May I ask when did they change it?

I guess no one currently knows, but i tend to think that the change must have happend in the last few years.

My supplementary question; it was launched with c822 with 21 jewels, would they change movement in the same model at a later date? Mine is bought new from the boutique in 2017..

yes, this could very well be the practice. Many Companies do it that way.

Here are two shots from the 2013/2014 catalogue

Okay. Thanks for your response. I got it on order from Switzerland after waiting for 2 months.

Shock protection

Thank you for your insight!

Thanks Cazalea, great inputs! Best, E.

A look at the movements

Thank you Cazalea. I would miss the fine manual adjustment for the balance timing as would repairers I imagine.

Possibly so

Hi Clive, I just received this answer from the Manufacture:

Glad you got a technical answer, pretty much in line with our Master Cazalea's opinion! Great! Best, E.

Pleasure.

Very good point and very interesting discussion!

Yes, true. We don't often ( at least I ) don't pay enough attention to what is hidden behind these different references.