Jaeger-LeCoultre

First off, let me take a moment to thank everyone on this board for helping me out on my education of fine timepieces. I am constantly in awe of how much is yet to be learned. All of you have helped make me make some great decisions on some great JLC pieces, but now I find myself torn and in need of help.

I am trying to build upon my collection of watches and have recently come across two pieces that I am really interested in, one is a JLC Grand Taille RDM in Platinum and the other is a Blancpain Leman Rattrapante in Steel. I can only afford one and I know they are completely different watches, but I just can't decide between the two. I have a vintage VC that I use for dressier occasions and also a vintage Pre Moon Omega Speedmaster so chronograph is covered as well. I just like the look of both the JLC and Blancpain, but wanted to ask all of you which watch you prefer as I can't seem to make up my mind.

I do own a JLC Master Calendar and an Amvox, so I have some JLC's and therefore thinking about a Blancpain. Tough decision for me.

Thank you for all of your help and I am glad I finally became a member.

but considering your present collection Blancpain would be a more reasonable choice.

To answer your question, I'd go on the RDM...

You alreday own  2 nice JLC, this RDM will make the perfect trio, with 3 pieces that get  some true JLC DNA.

I' even think about completing this trio by a Reverso, as it's also an iconic watch...LOL

Best, and looking forward to see you more often here...

Nicolas

Nicolas,

Thank you and excellent advise. I don't think you can ever go wrong with a Reverso, such a classic watch. Truth be told, I am not sure I would have much use for a Rattrapante, just looks cool. I think the Reverso RDM is the wise choice. I look forward to being part of this forum.

LOL
But I honestly think a Reverso, a RDM and the JLC watches you already have will make a perfectr representation of the JLC history!
You're always welcome and keep us informed about your decision!
best.
Nicolas

. . . along anyways: rattrapantes are easily damaged if incorrectly operated, so if the particular watches you're considering are second hand, you might want to pay special attention to the Blancpain before committing your money. Cordially, Art

Art,

You make an excellent point. I ended up talking to my AD about both watches as he is a dealer fro both Blancpain and JLC and he told he that he would never sell me a Blancpain since he has seen so many come in for service. He mentioned actually exactly what you said as well and figured my watch would spend more time in service than on my wrist. I think I am going with the Reverso RDM in Platinum. I just love the gray dial with the blue hands.

Thank you for your response.

It's a beautiful Reverso!
You' ll love the combo Ruthenium dial/ Platinum case!!!
Please post some pics ASAP!
Best.
Nicolas

Nicolas,

Thank you for helping me make this choice.  At the end, I guess it was not that hard, but unfortunately I struggled with it.  I feel really good about it now though.  I am scheduled to pick it up on Friday, which is going to make this a long week of anticipation.  I will post pics as soon as I can.  Again, thank you all for your help and great insight.

Regards,

Utkarsh

 

 

 

I picked exactly the same watch for a firend of mine who asked me to help him to choose and to find the nicest Reverso...
It was this one for him, due to the value, and the size...
And each time I see him with this reverso, it makes me very happy.
Can't wit for your pics!
Best.
Nicolas

Here's a Wrist Shot to help you to make your mind.



Best.
nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2008-03-12 00:37:03

Nicolas,

That is absolutely stunning! What a beautiful picture. The watch that was being held for me that I am scheduled to pick-up on Friday is the RDM as I mentioned, maybe from 2002 or 2003 or so. I have been trying to do as much research on the watch, movement and ruthenium as possible to learn as much as I can. I love the look of the ruthenium against the platinum and I really like the simplicity of the dial on the RDM. This hobby frustrates me at times as I walk into stores and see several things that I really like. As an example, I was on a business trip early this week walked into a large AD in NYC and saw a beautiful Glashutte Senator Perpetual in Platinum with a blue dial and all of a sudden I am back to square one.

I feel confident I am going with the JLC Reverso, but the collecting world is tempting. Nicolas, from your posts on this forum and from the collection I read that you have assembled is remarkable. How would you view the calibre in the reverso RDM? I love the ruthenium and I love the Platinum, not sure if patience gets me a more complicated piece and something as beautiful as yours. The one thing that I do know is that I would like to concentrate my future collection in the direction of Platinum. I like the weight and the look very much.

Warmest regards,

Utkarsh

Nobody can tell you what you have to do, except your heart...

I think that in a nice collection, a piece like this Reverso RDM has a place in it, as ity's a classic, nad a dressy watch, and everybody who is a bit watchnut needs a classic dressy piece in his collection...

For the complicated watch, the processus is more complex, and hard...

Look at GO, and their perpetual, look at the PC JLC too, the Vacheron, the patek, there are so many...

Spend some time to think about it, to try them, to re think it, to re see it, to re re re ...LOL

This is a lot of money, your heart has to decide what your wallet can authorize you to do...

On heavy pieces, I spend sometimes more than a year to decide...

That all I can tell you..Thanks for the nice words about my collection, the only thing I can say is that I sometimes made mistakes, and

I'm quite sure I will, but less and less, because I'm all the days learning, from my experienbce, ofcourse, but also from the experience of the others, and here, the cool thing is that people share without problem and with generosity their experiences and problems, their joy too...

Best, my friend.

Nicolas

Sage advice as always. I have been looking for a Platinum Reverso that "spoke" to me for over two years now and in that time I have tried on many dozens in different materials and with different complications to find the one that just hit me. Of course I liked many, but it always had to be a balance of what truly struck me in addition to the price I was willing to pay. I believe this time I have found the perfect balance between my needs and my price. I will continue my search for perpetuals as i think it will be fun to continue learning and exploring new shops and talking to knowledgeable folks like you. In my heart I know that I would probably wear a perpetual more often in the casual environment that I work, but a reverso has always been a dream. Sometimes my head has to follow the heart.

By the way, did I mention how much I love your watch. Beautiful.

Regards,

Utkarsh

Don't forget to post pics of your new baby!

Best.

Nicolas

Nicolas,

I bought it! I posted a picture of my watches under a new post, titled "Newbie wanted to share some pictures......."

Thank you for all of your help and insight. I am excited to have met such a great group of people in this forum. On a separate note, I found out from a previous post that you are living in France. I got engaged and went on my honeymoon in Paris and Beaulieu Su Mer. Spent the Holidays in Paris this winter as well. Love it! Hope to one day enjoy a glass or two of wine with you during a visit.

Regards,

Utkarsh