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So I took my x10 magnifying glass to take a closer look at the possible damages and with infinite care, tapping gently on the case, I succeeded in replacing the barrel in its housing.
Damn... My first problem with a JLC...
As Amanico had announced it... I crossed the milestone of 1 / 20th of a millennium this Sunday ...
And I thought for a long time to know what would be the watch that I would offer to myself for this event.
The range of possibilities was enormous ... Vintage or modern, , sports or dress watch, chrono or Wortdtime or get or alarm or quantième...
Patek, AP, Zenith, Blancpain, Rolex, A. L&S, ...
It has been a long road, but there was evidence :
- It was going to be a Jaeger-Lecoultre because this brand resonates with me and reminds me of some beautiful childhood memories ...
- It was going to be a lunar calendar or a moon phase because I find this complication poetic, not to mention that I did not have one in my collection...
- It was going to be a black dial because I love black dials ...
I searched a lot to find something that synthesized my wishes, without looking too much at the duometers line because I already had a black dial chronograph and then ...
And, thanks to Amanico, I had the opportunity to review a Lunar Calendar Duomètre A ... and I fell in love with it.
I loved this model when it came out and then, not having cracked at the time, I forgot it ... what a mistake!
In addition to meeting my criteria, the watch presented was in new condition and bore the number 3 ...
It was a sign ... I was born on October 3rd!
Without hesitation, I took it in June, worn it for a few hours to be sure I wasn't wrong about my choice, and put it in the safe.
In July, I took it out to bring it to Jaeger Lecoultre in Paris so that it could be checked because it dates from 2011 ... I didn't want to have any bad surprises when the time came ...
After being checked by the watchmakers in Place Vendôme who reassured me, it returned to the safe.
This watch which I dreamed of for several years, I was going to have to wait for it a few more months ...
But Feud did say that envy creates desire!
The pleasure of wearing it should therefore be increased tenfold ...
Last Friday, I went to my bank to retrieve it and store it at home out of sight ... and away from possible crashes and thieves ...
After an improvised party with friends on Saturday evening (I had planned to organize a big big party later), it was Sunday, with my family, that I had decided to offer it to myself.
The stars seemed aligned ...
Without consulting each other, the moon was very present in my gifts: My friends had offered me a copy of the Petit Prince signed by each of them ... my mother had prepared a card for me with a beautiful, very moving text and a collage of me, young, as a Petit Prince ... my daughters had found a luminous moon in suspension ...
The Lunar Calendar duometer therefore fell perfectly!
At the end of the meal and after all the gifts, I opened my own package with a child's soul.
What a high point of happiness to end this day during which I had received a lot of testimony of love and friendships.
Pure happiness
Of course, this morning I wanted to prolong this pleasure ...
So I took back my watch that I had taken care to put down delicately to wind it ...
It must be said that winding a Duometer constitutes a particular ceremony since it is necessary to turn - and this is unusual - the crown in one direction then in the other and start again while watching the hands of the power reserve move gradually towards the +
While I was reveling in this moment, the power reserve hand suddenly went from + to 0, the seconds hand stopped, as did the Diablotine ...
I immediately understood that there was a big problem.
After taking some pictures of the movement to enlarge them and see what was happening, I quickly noticed that the screw of the regulator barrel was unscrewed and that the barrel was out of its housing ....
So I took my x10 magnifying glass to take a closer look at the possible damages and with infinite care, tapping gently on the case, I succeeded in replacing the barrel in its housing.
It was confirmed, the barrel screw unscrewed on its own:
Before calling Jaeger Lecoultre when the store opened, I searched my photos to find those I had taken the day the Vendôme store had checked the watch ...
Here they are...
The screw was therefore present and correctly screwed ...
The mystery is therefore complete: How to explain that the screw of the barrel must be unscrewed, while the watch has remained in the safe since it was checked and it was only worn a few hours yesterday? Is it just unscrewed or has it broken?
The appointment was made for Thursday, so I would know more ...
Probably it will have to go to Switzerland because not all the watchmakers of the Grande Maison are authorized to work on a Duometer ...
I have had Jaeger Lecoultre for years and I have never known a problem with this brand that I particularly like because it masters the technique while having a poetic dimension.
Problems can always arise, but I admit that I have a bitter taste ...
This may be the second theme of my gifts ... Since I was also offered a book called "Ci-gît l'Amer"
After looking at during years, waiting for it during months ... I'm going to have to wait again ...
Even though it's just a watch, it makes me sad in a way ....
I hope from the bottom of my heart that, as the Customer Service Manager told me, everything will be done by Jaeger Lecoultre to remedy this crazy situation as quickly as possible and that I can take full advantage of this Wonderfull watch ... before my 60 years...
In the meantime, I have some photos left to kill the time...
Best O
it'll get rectified.
My understanding is that all Duometres have to back to Le Sentier to be serviced. Mechanical watches are temperamental little bastards. There are a million things that can go wrong. After it comes back from JLC it will look and perform perfectly.
I agree… but I’ve never had such a problem with a watch…
Maybe It could be solve by replacing the screw on Thursday or… I have to send it for a service…
Best Ø
Best Ø
I completely understand how you feel about the situation. You wait so long and work so hard for something that is so important to you only to be disappointed. In the end
We all must remember that you have good health, a beautiful family and certainly the ability to Acquire such a beautiful time piece is what is important
I am starting to become a little bit more patient with minor disappointments in my life even though I know the clock is running out. All will be well,
All the best, Tony
I am starting to become a little bit more patient with minor disappointments in my life even though I know the clock is running out. All will be well,
All the best, Tony
The condition was Mint… it will be the same after a service… after paying 1500€ and waiting 3/6 months ;-)
Hi aperna
I've always been aware that the main thing is somewhere other than a watch problem ... it's just annoying ... and it happened the day after a great moment so I actually put it into perspective. The fact remains that it is frustrating and I cannot explain to myself the reasons for this problem. A screw that goes in two rewinding is very curious ... I will see Thursday.
Have a beautiful day.
Best Ø
Have a beautiful day.
Best Ø
That is incredible. I am sure that JLC will do what they have to so. Clearly someone messed up, here. And it is not you.
That’s true… maybe JLC may solve this problem… or not…
I will be extremely disappointed if that is not the case ... I think that might lead me to turn my back on this brand that I love. And when I turn my back, I never look back.
La biz mon poto
La biz mon poto
Congratulations on a story extremely well-told
Condolences, though, on the contents of the story!
One question, though: do my eyes deceive me, or is the screw not fully seated in the original pictures? If it wasn't, that might explain how it came the rest of the way out when you wound it--you made the barrel turn but the screw, not being tightened, came undone with each turn of the barrel?
If that's right, though, it's inexcusable--almost unbelievable--that the watchmakers who checked the watch in July could have missed it.
I rewind the watch only twice till July…
Indeed either the screw was unscrewed and this was not seen during the inspection in July, or the screw broke. I do not see any other possibility ... and I think the first hypothesis is the most likely, unless it is a question of a brittleness of the steel of the screw, which is undetectable ...
Best Ø
Best Ø
Could it be an inherent design flaw
If the threadings in the screw are in the same direction as the barrel uncoupling movement, it will eventually loosen.
Not sure if i can illustrate this well. One barrel turns clockwise, and the other barrel turns anti-clockwise. Therefore, the uncoupling of the clockwise turning barrel will be ok, but the other anticlockwise turning barrel will undo the screw. This is if the screws used have the same threading direction.
Don’t know the screw direction. If it is the same as the barrel there is a risk and possibly a problem of conception…
But as I’ve explained it… I only rewind it twice since July.
Best Ø
Best Ø
I can feel your pain in this
I hope it gets rectified.
As in automobiles, the more complex the engines are, the more problems can arise. It is a beautiful piece to behold.
If it were me, I will shake off the feelings of disappointment and get it repaired. It has sentimental value. It is a very intellectual piece.
This hobby comes with a hidden price-tag. As with exotic cars, unique design challenges can happen.
All watches come with inherent design glitches. Some less so than others, like those tried and true workhorse calibres.
For sure they are…
marvelous, complicated as a perpetual calendar, sometimes sound like a minute repeater to remind you things, sometimes, poetic times like a lunar calendar, sometimes always late like the hand of a split-seconds… a all in one grande complication…
Brother don’t ask JLC about the screws
Their reps are quite snobby at times, I had a big quarrel with a brand manager in Singapore because they sent me my Geophysic user manual with a torn page. And the torn page coincidentally was in my native language. I suspected foul play.
My previous navy seals alarm with the glued on bezel was never resolved even when I sent the HQ an email 10 years ago. They left the trail cold on me. The watch was sent back once, and the bezel dropped again after 3 months.
They were not helpful when I wanted to buy the Pulsometre master control. Asked them about rubber straps, and they ignored me. It was during the online product launch on zoom.
To get it fixed, best solution to be nice (don’t be like me), and pretend you don’t know what happened although you probably already know it is a technical design flaw.
JLC is a woman who does not like to be told she is wrong.
In a speech, Max Busser once said he worked for JlC for 7 years. The manufacture can make everything, so much so he did not have much contact with the outside suppliers because JLC was so self-sufficient like an island.
I like this woman, but she has changed, and now her mind is being controlled by bad influence, I cannot revisit this brand for the near future anymore.
What you describe is (unfortunately) sad.
As far as I'm concerned the contact went well and was both understanding and caring.
I am waiting for Thursday to go to the Paris store to see if the acts are consistent with the speeches.
For the moment I cannot plead except for the inconvenience of having a technical concern but whatever the quality, the excellence or the professional conscience, a concern can always arise.
The main thing for me is not that it happens, but that it is recognized and fixed.
We always grow from our mistakes, not recognizing them make us stagnate in our mediocrity and I hate this kind of posture.
And if this is the case I will draw the necessary conclusions, which will most likely lead me to sell all my JLCs and to turn away from this brand which is nevertheless anchored in my heart and in my personal history thanks to my grandfather. .
Best regards.
O
I really hope your JLC problems will be solved quickly! For the rest...
... bon anniversaire! Très belle sélection de cadeaux, parfaitement dans mes goûts 
Les petites touches personnelles sont sans prix, le reste est de la belle mécanique réparable!
Best,
E.
Les petites touches personnelles sont sans prix, le reste est de la belle mécanique réparable!
Best,
E.
Oui, en plus j’en ai profité pleinement puisque le souci n’est arrivé que le lendemain…
Au moins cette montre aura une histoire… espérons juste qu’elle ne dure pas un siècle sous l’angle des problèmes… je pense néanmoins qu’il y en a pour 3/6 mois d’attente avant que tout rentre dans l’ordre.
Amitiés Ø
Amitiés Ø
Dear Alfihar, happy belated 50th again.
I had to calculate what 1/20 of a millennium is… Regarding your situation, I would like to share my perspective with you. I have had my fair share of heartaches with watches. In no particular order, I have had problems with De Bethune, Journe, JLC and also several vintage pieces - Omega, Jaeger, Vixa, you name it. In fact, I’ve also owned the same watch as you and had mechanical issues with it. But rest assured, a trip to the maison’s service quarters and the watch is back in good health in no time. JLC has over 200 years of movement making history, and I strongly believe anything that is of a mechanical nature can be fixed. Fret not, dear friend, your watch is going to be fine.
Now on to the more important part, which is purely philosophical. I say this with a fair amount of certainty, that life is a road not without its bumps and portholes. The focus here is your milestone birthday, and a chance to celebrate what life has given, or taken… an opportunity to look at the bigger picture, and care about the important things and not sweat over the little things (that money can solve). Ultimately we must know that nothing in the span of our lifetime is permanent. As the saying goes, “for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return”. We are born into the world naked, and we leave with nothing. I hope you feel better soon.
Kind Regards
Gatsby
Now on to the more important part, which is purely philosophical. I say this with a fair amount of certainty, that life is a road not without its bumps and portholes. The focus here is your milestone birthday, and a chance to celebrate what life has given, or taken… an opportunity to look at the bigger picture, and care about the important things and not sweat over the little things (that money can solve). Ultimately we must know that nothing in the span of our lifetime is permanent. As the saying goes, “for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return”. We are born into the world naked, and we leave with nothing. I hope you feel better soon.
Kind Regards
Gatsby
Hi Gatsby…
I agree with you… there is much more important things than watches… good health, family and friends…
Have a nice day
Best Ø
Have a nice day
Best Ø
What a great story aside from the unfortunate ending and congrats on the new duometre. I'm sure it will get resolved but this shouldn't happen.
I too sent my Duometre to JLC for service since I wanted to make sure it was well maintained even though it was working fine and also received back a watch that failed almost immediately. JLC eventually sorted it out after multiple services and I ended up with a like new watch in the end so I think you should feel confident that they will make your watch perfect but be prepared to need some patience.