Jaeger-LeCoultre

The Master Minute Repeater - Reference 151.T.67.S (Q164T450)

A great complication, classic, but with a modern and crazy look. I love it... A total kiff.

Moreover, it is a sound watch... And sounding watches are characteristic of Jaeger LeCoultre, which has made a name for itself with its Memovox, which I particularly like.

And this one sounds particularly good, not to mention that as French says "le ramage vaut le plumage" : 

A polished grade 5 titanium case: a performance in itself because finally few manufactures dare to use this metal that is difficult to work (even more so in 2006). 

Certainly, the size is not measured (44 mm wide / 15,8 mm thick).

Certainly I would have preferred a thinner case...

But it perfectly fits my wrist of 17.5 cm.

Moreover, a fully open dial that has a unique side for a Minute Repeater.

At first sight, it was not a watch in my codes (I like simple and black dials and I am not a big fan of skeleton dials: too busy for me).

But I don't know why... this one had an immediate wow effect on me.

Even worse, the more I look at it the more I like it: there is a lot to discover about this dial, its complexity and richness.

It varies enormously depending on the light. It is simply crazy, almost sensual. Perlages, anglages, brushed parts, everything is there.

The chromatic shades of gray are infinite, sometimes dark, sometimes bright, not to mention bluish screws, points of red, purple, ... it is for me fantastic.

And then there are these hammers that you can admire just under the skeleton hand of the torquemeter.

Even the hands are well chosen: skeletonized so as not to lose anything of the show offered by the dial and consistent with the modern design of the watch.

(Bracelet : Crédit Don Justino)

The case back, compared to the dial, is less surprising, less spectacular, simpler, but it reveals some nice details: "Cotes Soleillées" which receive a ruthenium finish, matching the dark look of the dial and converging towards the small balance.

Some will tell me that there is no German Silver Maillechort finish like on the platinum model... it is true that it would have been nice...

Nevertheless, I find that the movement remains at the height of the dial, not to mention that it animates a series of complications and functions rather cool: The minute repeater, of course, but also a power reserve of 15 days, and a Torquemeter (Complication? Not sure that it is one...).

The Duomètre A Lunar Calendar - Reference: 600.3.24.  S (Q6043570)

We find here the 42 mm diameter and 13.58 mm thick case of the chrono.

We also find the magic black dial of the chrono, in this limited edition version, but with an inversion (Hour on the right versus on the left for the chrono) and a new variant (Moon Calendar).

You will say to me, why two Duometers... well, because I love the chrono and the QL... Moreover, if the Grande Maison had been consistent and had released a UTT with a black dial (which would have had an earthy side seen from space), well I would have taken it because I also like GMT/WT which are quite present in my collection...

Moreover, the chrono has a "sport" side, when the QL has a poetic side... It makes me think of the Petit Prince, this book of Saint Exupéry that you have to read regularly as it gives, each time; a different view on life ....

I see those who had read his sad story (Vis/vice caché...) telling me that I still have it... 

Yes I admit it, I put it back on my wrist, even if the experience was very bitter with the JLC service and made me turn away from the Grande Maison for months... and watches too for that matter (For that reason and others...). 

But beyond my anger against the morons who managed the case, JLC is the watches of my grandfather that I dreamed of as a child and that became mine when he left. It's also years of waiting for the novelties.... even if today I don't wait anymore because the magic doesn't work (Even for the last Reverso chrono.... and except for the pieces of very high watchmaking inaccessible given the number of copies produced and the lunar prices). It is passion in abundance, especially under the Jérôme Lambert era. It is finally vintages to fall in love (Even if I do not adhere to the communication and marketing that surrounded the release of "The Collectibles").

And the final bouquet:

Sorry for the background noise... I couldn't do better with my iPhone...