Right in the heart

Good aim, Nico!

You know I love all the variations, and personally I find a unique charm to each of these 12.5 ligne movements, regardless of finish.

The more common variety demonstrate great industrial design: adaptability, durability, serviceability, economy (my example is the
small-seconds 479); the finish is not shabby either.

The 488 (Mark 11) and 478 (Geophysic) seem to be a matched pair, and while the latter seems much less formal, I take this to be
a stylistic exercise rather than a distinction in quality. Over a period of time I have come to understand that the accompaniment to
the idea: the movement's finish was typically only appreciated by the next watchmaker... is that formal Genevan finish is not the
only venerated aesthetic.

As has been mentioned, the houses of V&C and JLC have long been intertwined, a match between a premier ebauche supplier and
a premier finisher. I certainly cannot fault the Chronometer Royale construction and finish, I think it is sublime and beautiful and this
is one of my very favorite wristwatch movements...but I think JLC would have been almost embarrassed to pair it with watches such
as the Geophysic and Mark 11, the preciousness does not fit.

Here is my matched set:

Geophysic / Chronometre Royal: The common point.

By: amanico : June 28th, 2012-07:55

Here is something I wanted to post since a very long time. I waited for the opportunity to play with a Chronometre Royal, to raise a question: Which is the best: To make a great movement, or to finish it? Here, the picture of the P 478 / BWSBr: And here, ...

Finish is, somehow important when ...

By: nilomis : June 28th, 2012-10:57

The watch has a transparent case back. Otherwise is something that only my watchmaker will enjoy, not me. Considering that I'm a little paranoid with magnetism and transparent case back ... for me is just a nice to have. About the two movement under discu...

There is much more work on the VC.

By: amanico : June 28th, 2012-11:23

On the JLC, you have a plate and a big bridge. While on the VC, the bridges and platre are re worked, hence this feeling. As for the importance of a finished movement protected or hidden by a solid case back, I tend to disagree. I am always happy ot know ...

I like where you are going with this,Vlad

By: respo : June 28th, 2012-19:38

This is a good and interesting topic. Of course, LeCoultre and VC have a shared history, no? It is interesting to see the movement so differently finished in these two watches. Like you, even if there is a solid caseback, I like knowing that what is hidde...

Yes, shared history, as JLC didn't only provided this movement to VC.

By: amanico : June 28th, 2012-22:14

I like the movement of the Geophysic a lot, as you know. And of course, Vacheron didn't make a mistake when choosing it for the Chronometre Royal, whose finish is existing, when it is " rougher " on the JLC. Though, I like that the JLC is rougher, as it i...

Hi Nico, what i like about the VC is that...

By: Echi : June 29th, 2012-08:09

You see more of the movement. With the geophysic, is it because of protection. With that kind of a design, i dont really see how finishing plays a part because the whole thing looks industrial to begin with. Maybe a maltese cross somewhere in there would ...

Because the bridge and the plate have been reworked by VC.

By: amanico : June 29th, 2012-12:21

Hence you have more to see on the Chronometre Royal movement. It is not only the perlage and the Cotes De Genève. My heart goes for the JLC for another reason: There are no white metal Chronometres Royaux. Plus the fact that I love the sotry behind the JL...

both are awesome watches and the calibre 478 is a legend

By: georgeszaslavsky : June 29th, 2012-22:24

Well both are awesome watches. The calibre 478 was one of the very best ever jlc hand wound movements ever made and was a strong competitor of the iwc cal 89 and the later omega 30t2 variants. The 478 ticking in my vintage jlc is +2 sec per day accurate a...

The movements you can find in the triple dates are also something.

By: amanico : June 29th, 2012-22:29

And really eye catching, too. You are absolutely right about the Cal 920. JLC was the Watchmaker's watchmakers, at this time. Best, Nicolas

Right in the heart

By: SteveG : July 3rd, 2012-19:49

That is an useful montage, Steve.

By: amanico : July 3rd, 2012-22:54

The 4 brothers together. The curious detail you raised, which also raises a question, is that the 478 is less finished than the superb 479 ( housed in the WWW ) and than the not less appealing 488 ( housed in the Mark 11 ), while the Geophysic was less a ...

"To make a great movement, or to finish it?"

By: blomman Mr Blue : July 10th, 2012-02:02

Well, I would say - to make the movement! After that you have always the option to decorate it or not... ;) Thank you for sharing these pics! The work VC made is really stunning! Best, my friend Blomman

That is my opinion, too. But the best is to get both. ;) [nt]

By: amanico : July 10th, 2012-02:21

counter question

By: RDL : November 20th, 2014-03:04

"What do the greatest brands call themselves...'watch manufacturers' or 'watch decorateurs'?"

Beautiful mouvement indeed.....

By: Sandgroper : November 17th, 2014-20:40

The finishing and "re-designing" (for lack of a better word) of the Vacheron Constantin version is superb! Thank you for these lovely pictures. Cheers Francois

Thanks for the bump on this old post, my friend. [nt]

By: amanico : November 17th, 2014-22:41

Thx in kind return !.. Also re-stumbled over this fact of synchrony.. As such nice to know..

By: hs111 : November 18th, 2014-12:47

.. without being qualified enough, an interesting fact; wasn't aware of this/these links between VC & JLC and the repercussions thereby. Love both, the time-pieces & the finish, but as rightly said here, the beauty of the finishing was remarkable; but if ...

Jaeger-LeCoultre

Right in the heart

Geophysic / Chronometre Royal: The common point.

Finish is, somehow important when ...

There is much more work on the VC.

I like where you are going with this,Vlad

Yes, shared history, as JLC didn't only provided this movement to VC.

Hi Nico, what i like about the VC is that...

Because the bridge and the plate have been reworked by VC.

both are awesome watches and the calibre 478 is a legend

The movements you can find in the triple dates are also something.

Right in the heart

That is an useful montage, Steve.

"To make a great movement, or to finish it?"

That is my opinion, too. But the best is to get both. ;) [nt]

counter question

Beautiful mouvement indeed.....

Thanks for the bump on this old post, my friend. [nt]

Thx in kind return !.. Also re-stumbled over this fact of synchrony.. As such nice to know..

Old! Perhaps, but beautiful surely:) [nt]

Interesting, isn't it? ;) [nt]

Very interesting comparison Nicolas ...

Ar a king scientist! ;) I feel like you, on that. [nt]