Comments:
Why Are Watches Discontinued?
Had to ask myself and sure there's no one answer for all, but this watch, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Chronograph, was launched in 2012 and discontinued a short six years later around 2018.
I bought one around 2018, but as many do in this mad hobby, sold it in 2019. It was one of very few sale regrets, but I was lucky - the buyer promised if he ever decided to sell, he would give me the first option to buy back. Four years later it is back and I couldn't be happier.
So, back to the main question. The watch is good looking, an 'on-trend' size, legible, has a great chronograph with the funky operation indicator, is an ISO rated diver (including pusher operation) to 100m and was a little above a Submariner in terms of retail.
With what must have been a great deal of preparation, testing, investment etc by JLC to launch such a watch, why did it only last six years?
is it all about sales, or lack of?
Not sure why the photo is rotated in the main menu, but the post seems fine.
Easy answer here. They discontinued the whole Deep Sea line. A pity, as I would have kept it and I would have added some more. The case is superb.
Fair enough, but do we know why the line was discontinued at all?
It's a tough watch to beat and keeps many others off my wrist.
It's a tough watch to beat and keeps many others off my wrist.
Because they wanted to promote the Polaris line. While I think that there is enough place for two, or three! ( Geophysic ).
Agreed!
I bought a brand new no date Polaris and found it flimsy, with a loose internal bezel and no personality whatsoever. It went a week after in a trade. Definitely room for both.
I bought a brand new no date Polaris and found it flimsy, with a loose internal bezel and no personality whatsoever. It went a week after in a trade. Definitely room for both.
Cool story
With a happy ending. I owned the deep sea vintage Chronograph (dual register). Mesmerizing dial and bezel. Wore a bit too large for me which is why I ended up selling it
This is damn lovely, future classic!! I have never, I repeat never!! Seen on in person...
I’m guessing Jlc discounted the deep sea because it didn’t meet their sales target?
I believe that’s the same reason they discontinued the master compressor line? The good thing as you can see with the Polaris reintroduction is that the deep sea can eventually make a comeback some time…
Well, not so sure. The Deep Sea Alarm and Vintage Chronos sold very well, and the Deep Sea Chrono was a good sale. There was much more to do and offer in this line. Same for the Geophysic!
I don't understand either
I am not a fan of how JLC is being managed at the moment. It's one of my favorite brands, so it makes me even more disappointed. The discontinuation of the Geophysic, the Deep Sea and Master Compressor lines was a move in the wrong direction. The polaris line is decent, but I would never buy a polaris over a seamaster. It lacks soul.
It's frustrating because JLC has such a great history of innovation that it wouldn't take much to make some adjustments to their offerings and spark emotion among fans.
I suspect that, like a lot of brands...
JLC suffers from 'design by committee' where everything is over-thought and driven by 'future style' predictions and questionable focus groups rather than truly creative individuals. I agree that the Polaris may check a lot of boxes on paper, but doesn't have the aesthetic punch or character that it probably could (although I do have a soft spot for the Polaris Perpetual Calendar on bracelet...)
It also suffers from pandering to the mass market
Some watches in the master control and master ultra thin lines seem generic and uninspired, like the MUT date with the silver dial.
They need more colorful dials and interesting watches for their lower end offering, plus they have really gone overboard with the price increase in 2022. I think we can all agree that a 30% spike in price is unjustifiable.
They need more colorful dials and interesting watches for their lower end offering, plus they have really gone overboard with the price increase in 2022. I think we can all agree that a 30% spike in price is unjustifiable.
Reverso Duoface
Bought one in Switzerland 9 months ago for 9k, as of now it costs 11.7k. Yeah right... 
I guess they want to close the gap to entry level VC and AP depending on the model.
I guess they want to close the gap to entry level VC and AP depending on the model.
I bought a duoface for around 9k last year in february
That same model is 12.5k now... Why JLC?
I would say that the Polaris is good enough, but that there is some obvious place for other lines...
Did you see what they released right now?
Basically a Polaris date that’s a copy of the Polaris Mariner and in basically
The same color combo as the gradient blue from 2019! I also noticed they have different set of hands between the Mariner and only one Polaris date. Weird things going on over there
The same color combo as the gradient blue from 2019! I also noticed they have different set of hands between the Mariner and only one Polaris date. Weird things going on over there
Madness they discontinued after the costs to get to production and surely 6 years wouldn't see that investment back. But as you say, the Polaris is their focus and just didn't like mine at all.
I traded my Rolex deep sea for this
In 2018 and to this day regret it! This watch was a amazing across the board. Once thing I don’t miss is how loud it was. Felt like the winding rotor was going to fall out. Overall though it’s incredible and i have no idea why they discontinued it. That goes for the entire master compressor line!