Jaeger-LeCoultre

If there is a watch which impressed me a lot, in the Nineties, it is the Master Geographique. 

The second generation came in 1996, with the cities at the bottom of the dial, while the first generation was unveiled in 1989.

In the late Nineties, very early 2000's, Jaeger Lecoultre had the good idea to associate a black dial to the steel case, which is, with the platinum and its superb blue dial, my favorite version. 

A watch I had the pleasure to shoot in a shop, yesterday. 

The only thing I would have loved to see, on this watch, is a hunter case back, as JLC did with some of these Master Watches. 

Other than that, this " Black Series " is top. And the Geographique, with the Black Manual Memovox, are certainly pieces I will add, one day, in my JLC collection. 

Best,

Nicolas

....and it is not to thick for a complicated watch!

No message body

and the black looks very nice, but my first choice would still be the silver dial.

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Perfect proportions, contrast, power, complexity, refinement, heritage, presence, and absolute size. I'm not a fan of tribute watches, but contemporary JLC should look to the key traits that define this watch and seek to implement them in new references. The balance of tones, character, and upscale aura were achieved without resort to cliches like size or PVD, and the style owes almost nothing to retro design philosophy. Even better, it doesn't really look like anything any other manufacture was producing at the time, so this Master Geo is a true original in that respect as well.

Regarding the hunter caseback, it's true that these are entertaining, but I'm not sure that it's worthwhile if it would add thickness to this example. On the 18K gold models that employed the hunters, I always saw it as a mark of honesty since wrought gold is far more expensive than sapphire, and it avoided the appearance of price cutting on a precious-metal watch. It was almost like the old Patek, Vacheron, Blancpain, and Roger Dubuis models that would ship with an accessory solid gold caseback to assure the client that full value was being provided. But on a steel watch, especially one with an excellent thickness-to-diameter ratio, the hunter might have disturbed the fine visual and ergonomic balance JLC achieved.

Best,
Tim

Like you, I have the feeling the Geographique is an icon. Unique in its kind. Very distinctive, and I am sure many of us were attracted to or by JLC with this model.
Best, Tim.
Nicolas

In the mid 2000s, the Master Compressor Geographic was one of the first JLC watches I experienced firsthand, and I recall vividly the impression of quality. It was so different from anything else I had seen, the dial was so rich, and the tactile sensation of operating the complication impressed me deeply. And for good measure, it was one of the original Master Compressors, so it was that much more distinctive and memorable. It was the first step of my descent into this madness ;-)
Best,
Tim

Sister cooler. 

that the "Master Black" series was awesome - and the Geographique, and Master Memovox were the 2 best in steel. In rose gold, the Master Perpetual on black strap was awesome.

I do, also, agree that the Platinum series was great, and something I wish JLC would re-instate - 250 pieces of each new model in platinum with hinged case backs (except the 34mm MUT), white subdial hands (great for legibility) and navy straps. The last model to be launched was the Master Compressor Memovox - which was a VERY heavy watch (and I think the Master Grande Memovox the year before, if memory serves correctly). But today's slightly larger pieces: Master Ultra Thin Date, MUT 41, MUT Moon would be welcome additions in platinum with the blue dial/strap combos.

(Funny enough, when JLC launched the Master Blacks, they all appeared on honey-brown alligator. I initially hated it, but after 2 or 3 years of looking at them I warmed up to them - even going as far as wearing black slacks and shirts with brown shoes and belts.)

-Dean

Issued in 2002, indeed. 

I think it would have made a nice contrast to the rose gold case. Can't wait for you to post the platinum version.

Why? They both display the different time zones in a different way.
The UT is a world time, the Geographique is a travel time.
That would make a nice pair!
Best,
Nicolas

Stop right now! ;-))

No message body

and in many ways, I think the new UT probably took over where this one left off.

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I remember very well when it first appeared. A truely innovative movement, a game changer for travel watches. Superb then and superb now.

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

Best

Imran

No message body This message has been edited by amanico on 2015-11-04 07:44:00

Hi
As a whole the black series was whole - but this version of the Mater Geographique is stunning. Really like the red accents on the black dial. The darkness definitely adds something.
Just reminds that there's a whole series of watches from JLC that I like - the only limitation is resources!
Though that is part of the pleasure
Cheers
JML

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Hi Amanico,

That is such a beautiful watch. The black dial just makes it so very special.

Here is another watch from that series/line - the Master Memovox. Almost as cool - and of course the only Memovox with a saphire case back ,




...and here is the flip side. Pretty nice!



Imagine having them all...sigh...

Claus

Dots... Wow... So sensual and warm.