Jaeger-LeCoultre

Morning everyone, I hope your Saturday turns out wonderfully well.  Just a quick question and request for opinions from the forum:

What does everyone think workmanship for workmanship, material for material of the difference between JLC and Vacheron?  I know it's a general question and some of the discussion may come down to specific models, but I ask because I recently heard a discussion between my AD and a customer about why the AD would buy a VC over a similar priced JLC.  The dealer said that VC along with Patek and Breguet were the top three watch manufacturers in the world, with JLC falling into the space between IWC and Breguet.

Is this right?  I thought JLC handmade most of the compnents for their watches in-house and was one of the only manufacturers to hand-make its own movement.  I'm a big fan of the Reverso and in particular think the platinum series, (Sun/Moon, and Reserve de Marche), is exquisite...the AD would still choose a Yellow Gold VC Patrimony over the platinum JLC.  Is he right?  The watches are similar in price, but for the JLC are you paying for the metal vs. the movement for the VC?

Just curious as to your thoughts.  I'm quite interested in everyone's opinion.  Have a wonderful day, speak soon. 

Hi,

You can' t generalize for the full range of the two brands. It depends on which model you compare.

To be clear when a VC is equipped with a JLC calibre (that means now the JLC cal 889 derivatives, for instance VC 1126, 1222 or 1225, i.e. an automatic calibre) there is no difference in the calibre finish because the calibre is finished and assembled by JLC to the very same level of finish JLC mounts in its own watches.

One brand one level of finish!

When VC watches are equiped with  VC in-house calibres like the hand wind 1400 series, the automatic 2450 series or the complicated calibres like tourbillon or minute repeaters, yes the finish is to a higher level than on comparable JLC calibres.

Then you have cases and dials. It also depends on your taste and the models!

Finally I don't think you easily have direct comparisons for the very same price. 

Cheers

Dje
This message has been edited by Dje on 2008-05-24 05:18:12

As Jerome said, this is impossible to have a genereal answer, as JLC has a wider spectrum of watches than VC, but that doesn't mean that JLC is better than VC...Although I think that on certain watches, VC is better, and no on others...

I'm a lot attracted by VC, but for the moment, I own JLC watches...

I'm waiting for MY VC, a watch that drives me crazy, and there may be one, the VC Malte Chrono Perpetual Calendar in platinum, a LE of 50 pieces...This is a gorgeous one!

I think JLC is more innovative than VC, as UN is, also...

So, there are a lot of watches to get, to be very appealing in all these brands...Saying that it's better to get this one more than this one is not very smart, I think, as it is also a matter of taste, and this is very subjective.

I would also know on what criteria your AD says that...IMHO, it would be very interesting to know.

So, I will end my answer by saying that I'm in love with some JLC watches, I have a lot of respect for them, but I also consider getting 2 or 3 VC pieces.

Best.

Nicolas

 

For the "same price," JLC will almost always give you more bang-for-the-buck than VC. Although I do like the Patrimony, I think I would have a hard time picking it over, say, the 1833 38mm collection, or the gold 40mm Grande Ultra Thin Auto, since I believe it'll cost less and offer the same quality.

In the end, pick the piece that "speaks to you the loudest." But as far as that AD goes, I would ask him this: (1) if VC, AP, IWC, VC&A, OP, PP, AL&S, Piaget & others come to JLC for movements, complications & technology, but not vice-versa, where would that put JLC? (2) Compare ANY watch by those others to the DuoMetre A Chronograph (or the Gyro II), and I think he'll have to agree, that JLC is worth its weight in Lantium (DS9 reference).

-Dean

Morning everyone, I totally agree with everyone's assessment that JLC and VC are both high-grade watches and both offer different things to different owners and collectors.  I believe ya'll are right that it ultimately is a matter of personal taste...for example, I think Frank Mullers are stunning complicated watches but I'd never own one because they don't fit my wrist properly.  I'd buy a complicated JLC over the same priced non-complicated Patek as well just because I llike the design and the functions.  But Pateks are beautiful and I'll own one of those two God-willing one day. 

In any event, thanks much to everyone who responded wtih their thoughts.  Have a wonderful weekend, and a happy Memorial Day if you're in the States.  Speak soon.