Jaeger-LeCoultre

Two months have passed since the unveil of what I consider as THE novelty of the year, from JLC, the Geophysic True Second and Universal Time. 

 

A new movement housed in a case we already know, but coming in two different sizes, and revealing new dials.

 

 

Some said that they were disturbed by the fact that the second hand moved like a quartz watch. Others liked the technical challenge. 

The World Timer is great, a real winner. On the UT, the dead second I think is okay for me, but on the "Geophysic" it would bother me as looking too Quartz.

The movement is a great addition.

CC
This message has been edited by crown comfort on 2015-12-11 00:39:56

Given the choice for a JLC now for me it'd be a tug of war between the simple Master Control Date and the Geophysic True Seconds. I compare them as the two simple dress watches with date within the JLC line (not counting the MUTs).

In my opinion, the new Calibre and watch is a bittersweet affair. There are a couple of things JLC did wonderfully right, while some others are more polarizing and may instill unrest for potential buyers. To begin, the point of contention is naturally the deadbeat; you either love it or hate it. Mechanically I find it wonderful, it's a nice deadbeat within this price range and a relatively exotic feature which therefore means little competitors for JLC. Note that this additional feature (I refrain from calling it a complication; it doesn't "add" any extra information to the dial) isn't a simple affair to retrofit on; it needs proper integration with an additional geartrain. The deadbeat itself could be seen as a mini-rementoir with the additional hairspring that is nicely exposed, while the minutes and hours I believe run normally from the main power train. A nice subtle feature is putting the watch to your ear, you will hear a TICKtickticktickticktickticktickTICKtickticktick... The heavy ticks represent the motion of the deadbeat ticking powered by the second hairspring while the 4Hz normal hairspring makes the regular escapement tick away.

On that note, the balance wheel as advertised is unique - it is technology carried over from the previous JLC research lines. It represents a nicely finished H-shaped wheel instead of the typical full circular balance. The merits of its timekeeping accuracy I won't venture into as I believe are marginal at best, however from photos they are finely finished, with even a little JLC logo engraved on the spoke itself! It also adds a unique feature versus the competition. How many H-shaped balance wheels can you think of besides say, DeBethune?

Next up would be the finishing overall. JLC calibres at close to their entry level offerings (eg the 899) often demonstrate radial cotes de geneve on the rotor and bridge finishing. JLC has opted to go for their more modern styling of using straight striped cotes de geneve, closer resembling other Swiss brand offerings. The rotor being now a solid gold rotor is a plus, but has wider, rougher machined stripes (reminiscent of Grand Seiko) which leaves me feeling impartial. I'm personally a bigger fan of the old rotor design.. That out of the way, geartrain bridge finishing is great with plenty of anglage however being done by machine without much polish. That is acceptable for the price it's being offered for. A number of separate bridges are visible with nice gaps in between which breaks the monotony of the movement view. A cutout window is a nice touch to demonstrate the deadbeat hairspring.

Naturally, as this Calibre was planned for the upgrade to the Worldtimer it was a conscious decision to incorporate a bidirectional quickset hour, instead of a quickset date. Therefore to change dates rapidly you will have to keep sweeping the hour hands on and on... May be tedious if you have not worn the watch for a week and need to adjust the date, but is no big issue if being constantly worn. My personal worry would be the reliability of this system, and if in the long run will the hour hand misalign from repeated changes..

It is odd to see this as part of the Geophysic line, as it doesn't resemble it's previous iterations too much besides a few design cues like lume dots per hour marker on the rehaut. The rest of the watch screams dress watch and may have fallen more coherent within the Master Control line, distinguished as a deadbeat dress watch. It lacks the iron cage of the precious solid backed Geophysic which means no magnetism resistance. The dial is simply beautiful, it has a nice blasted sparkle finish with simple finely brushed (look under a loupe!) indices and sword hands which are very elegant for a dress watch. Furthermore, the JLC logo is applied on the dial and there is a proper date window border; something the Master Control lacks with its printed logo and painted date window.

Nevertheless, this is a thicker and heftier watch with its added features. For an extra 50% of the Master Control Date cost, you pay for a thicker heftier watch with a brand new movement and deadbeat feature, different movement aesthetic, arguably better finished dial and a nice tripartite case. The deal breaker for some then would be the preference of the deadbeat feature; I imagine some wouldn't want to pay this much for a "quartz emulating" watch! Understandably in the past, deadbeat was once a prestigious feature which then got diluted when the quartz era kicked in. I feel it is therefor now a very personal, enthusiasts feature - you get a deadbeat because you like it and know exactly what it is, not for showing much to other people.

Regards,
skyeriding

You are probably right in saying that the True Second is for connoisseurs and dead second enthusiasts. you are right when you say that it is not a complication, I would rather say a sophistication. Added to the world time, with the Cal 772, which is a complication.
Now, an original Geophysic were not amagnetic. The De Luxe. It didn't have the soft iron cover.
The idea behind these two Geophysic is that a new family is created. With the Tribute, it was an hommage to the Past. With these two latest opus, it is a family. Nothing to see with the original, or from some distance.
Best,
Nicolas

Several times and, even being impressed by the technicalities of the "true seconds", it's not for me.

Explaining:

True Seconds

It may be a technical wonder but, call me old style, I still prefer the seconds hand "hoovering" over the dial and not ticking.

Universal Time

The dial is way too busy and the hands contrast, in certain areas, is poor.

Cheers,

Nilo

No message body

Since I know that this watch is mechanical, I am not bothered by the quartz-like movement of the seconds hand. Until I actually played with the watch at a dealer's shop, I did not know how I would feel about that. It can actually be fascinating, even entrancing if I take the time to watch the hand go around the dial. Understanding, at least rudimentarily, the effort that went into creating this movement, and its technology, I can appreciate it even more.

At the beginning, you have to figure out how it works. Then, once you got it, it is easy to get used to it.
The detail on the UT is that the cities ring doesn't move. Which makes it simpler, but the fun of changing the cities doesn't exist on the UT.
Thanks for your feedback, Padj, and keep on enjoying it!
Nicolas

.. Have to say, I absolutely love my ss version, the dial,
with plastic representation of the continents,
and also enjoy the True Sec mechanism, offering the nice goodie
to have a nice at the characteristic balance, with anchor shaped 2 ends.

Having said so, I also enjoy the view on the caseback side: the golden rotor,
and some parts of the balance, as described above..

Am not disturbed by the notorious 2 screws on the dial side, sort of
blending it out; of course might have been even nicer without

I' ve already worn it a lot; since mid October, it got much wrist-time;
as well for everyday use, as also from evening dinners with friends, to
a festive theatre performance.

- The UT has great versatility and I enjoy looking down on her. The
continents, oceans & cities make one virtually travel a bit.. Nice !

Thus, I am am very happy with my choice & decision..

Easy task..

Best, hs




Greetings by Geophysic Universal Time

The piece was immediately available. Which is excellent, and should be done more often.
Rather than waiting for several loooong months.
Best, my friend.
Nicolas

As for the true second, I'm not really bothered by the jumping second hand since I know it's a mechanical watch.

But don't you think you would spoil the very clean and elegant dial, this way?
Just thinking loud.
Best,
Nicolas

No message body

I really like the UT version and it is great that JLC has added another great watch in its own right to compliment the rest of their glorious range.

I like the dead beats, but would prefer such watch without seconds probably.

Having said that, the size of the watch just kills it for me since I would prefer a 39mm case.

The same issue I have with the VC world timer. I am absolutely fascinated by its dial and its technical prowess but the case size and the screws on the backside kill it.

All things considered, the 5110p and 5130p are by far the kings of the world timers.

In my dream world, the JLC and the VC would be 39mm and then it would be game on. And probably I would immediately go for the VC, assuming they would also take away the screws on the back. Right now I love the JLC and the VC in theory but would not put my money down for either.

All the very best,
Alex

As it shows that it is super difficult to please to everybody. and this different opinion of yours contributes to the charm of this place, I must say.
About the size, some will say that it " saves " legibility. The 5110 is not super legible, but it is part of its charm. The 5130 is more legible, due to its extra 2, 5 mm. But the legibility shows a choice from Patek I am not very happy with. They didn't increase the dial size, they just made the cities ring larger. Which removes some harmony to the dial, compared to the 5110.
The problem of the Vacheron is the perception you have of its thickness. On the paper, it is not that evident, as it is only 11 mm thick. But in the real it looks much thicker. Strange.
Now, like you, a tad smaller UT would have pleased me.
Same for the presence or the absence of a second hand. Some find it is boring when the second hand is absent, some others complain about its presence. Personally, I don't care about the presence or the absence of a second hand, but I find it interesting on the UT since it is a dead second, which is an unique combination.
Best, my dear friend.
Nicolas

I also find the seconds hand a no issue. They can or not exist. Either way is fine.
What make life for these watches difficult is the aesthetic masterclass of the 5110p and 5130p. They are so beautifully sculpted and harmonious, while they can be discrete at the same time, which to my eyes epitomizes what a world timer should be.
I also agree that 11mm thickness is not a killer number in itself, in the case of the VC, but combined with the 42.5mm diameter probably gives the end result which is more bulky than a VC should be (in my opinion, of course). In order to not be misunderstood, VC is for me personally the first choice brand in terms of classic watches. So rather than criticism, this is me craving for them to get it right.
But as you said, everyone has different tastes and the beauty is that there are many among us who love all these pieces and their ownership put smiles on our faces!
All the very best, my dear friend,
Alexandros

No message body

It's look is very classic and understated yet elegant. Easily an everyday watch. (Yupp...another watch for every day use - my best excuse, haha)
BUT, I definitely relate  to your sentence: "Some said that they were disturbed by the fact that the second hand moved like a quartz watch"

From my early watch days, when I got interested into more serious watches and got my first mechanical watch, a Rolex Air King, the floating seconds hand was very important to me.
It simply differenced, the for me then a REAL watch - from a battery watch or a possible fake watch.
But, here we are. JLC made the "tick-tick-tick" mechanical watch. The thoughts and tech behind it is unquestionably interesting.
 
My mind is split. Difficult to decide. I will soon probably get the chance to see and touch the watch IRL, and hopefully my mind can settle down
Anyway, an aesthetically nice watch.

Best
Bent

Funny to read how many of us were living a trauma with the Quartz Era.

The dial is by far the most attractive I've seen anywhere and the colors are deep and beautiful. The true seconds is not a deal maker or breaker for me. Nice addition but to me I have just a very slight preference for the regular sweep instead of true best. The regulations TS never really spoke to me. I've though it too plain and would have liked it without the date, plus hands that were smoother in construction. The batons stick out a little too loudly on the plain dial to me.

Especially on the presence of the date.
As for the dead second, I guess we have to fully understand its sophistication to be able to appreciate it. But there will always be haters of these jumping seconds...
Like you and some others, I feel the movement of the sweep second more sensual. Though, the " jumping " second hand intrigues me a lot, in a positive way, in others words, I find it provocative, and I like that.
Best,
Nicolas

... These watches... The new movement is an amazing piece of technology and just by nature of its design makes for exciting possibilities.  The deadbeat seconds feature is cool and I love the talk that it turns people off because it looks like a quartz watch.  End of the day, who cares if it looks like it might be a quartz watch... the owner knows it is fully mechanical and truth be told most people who would see the UT would be more taken by the dial work rather than the way the seconds hand tracks the dial.

Thanks for your input, my friend. 

... Might have to make that request for me. If JLC were to fulfill the request, I'd prefer an "E'dition de Paris"!
- Scott

No message body

... JLC is up to the task.
- scott

No message body

.. still loving it. For me, it's suited for the weekend and it shines during the weekday. a couple of pictures to share..





and yes, after a while I don't notice the two screws on the dial anymore. much like those on the zeitwerk !

Next, the movement is rather accurate though I haven't taken your advice to wear it for a month and then re do the our test . ahem

on the case of the dead beat, it's an interesting novelty visually, but more importantly for me, the movement rhythm is fanciful..softer clicks followed by the main click on the beat at each second

thanks Nicholas for bringing this up!

best regards
-- Seeks

It helps to know if you're getting rid of it, or not, after a while. 

and I have to say it looks really good. In gold. The steel version doesn't make the dial pop. Oh and I have to say that the screws in the dial are not that 'in your face' at all. They are really really tiny.

But once you know they are there....you will always notice them. Guess it would be a very personal thing if they would be annoying or not.

I couldn't live with it though... But who am I?