Jaeger-LeCoultre

Am new to the forum and i  need some expert advice. I am considering buying my first luxury swiss watch. Contemplating whether to buy JLC  master geographic , Grande GMT or to buy a Franck Muller Master banker?. I would like advice mainly on the quality of the make and the longterm investment potential. Your inputs are very much appreciated.

Welcome here, first!

As per forum rules, we don't discuss value, here, so I won't be of any help on this ground, for you.

Now, about your options, let's say that the most important is to hear your heart.

These 3 watches are very different, as for the case ( Round, Rectangular, and Tonneau ), and as for the movements ( in house for the 2 first, not in house for the F.M ).

I'd personnaly go on the JLCs, as these 2 are very interesting, mechanically speaking.

The only " + " of the Master Banker, if I' m not worng, is that it allows you to get some specila Time Zones, in some Countries which have differences of half an hour, like in sme islands or in India..

Excpet that particularity in the F.M, I much prefer the authenticity of the JLCs, and their sobriety, too.

You should also consider the Master Géographic World, which includes a worldtime, and which is also very friendly.

If you don't mind the World time, my preference would go on the previous model of the Master Géographique, which is really awesome, or the Reverso Grande GMT...

Hope this will help you in your decision.

Best!

Nicolas

Thanks for your informative reply.  What i meant by investment is not for resale but to keep and pass on to children.

I agree that FM watches are not in house movements and are too over priced for what they are in comparison to JLC's. Between the Grande GMT and the Geographic whic one would you suggest as a better buy?. I am torn between thm both. I have looked at both of them in detail in terms of their specs. They both look very nice and classy esp the GMT. I would wear the watch as both a work and evening dress type watch. Any suggestions? 

Yep, a  great rectangular watch, and first of all..An Icon!

Best.

Nicolas

first I do not like Franck Muller watches, they are so copied that youll spend more time replying to people who say IS IT A REAL ONE? then when you say it is behind your back ( if there not friends) will say it probably isnt because who would admit that its a fake, SO with that keep a pocket knife handy so you can open the back to show its not a quartz movement) NO wait Franck dosent make there own movements so you may have to also explain that.

I guess from an investment standpoint, any watch will be worth something as long as there is a buyer or demand.  buying a vintage or semi vintage watch means youll have an already established pedigree like a polaris OR a DEEP SEA ( if you can find one HE HE HE)

There are so many new watches using FLASH to attract buyers BUT putting a nice JL on your wrist while sitting at a poker table NO ONE will say IS THAT REAL?

heres a vintage JL and some fake mullers, BUY a vintage or limited edition JL and some fake mullers if you need to still own a FM.

If you get a cool JL complicated or JL with some cool bells and whistles.. YOU will be asked about showing them the functions, and as a pass down keepsake WHO wants to pass down the constant IS IT REAL? stigma.

Heres my lovely 1959 deep sea.

Also you may want to also remember a watch sales man will always look to make the commision and im SURE FM offers some incentives to sales men, so listen to yourself not someone on commision...



this is my opinion but im told im never wrong...

This message has been edited by Grant on 2008-11-29 04:35:16 This message has been edited by Grant on 2008-11-29 04:40:01 This message has been edited by Grant on 2008-11-29 04:49:10

Thanks very much for your post. I do agree that the FM's are very over priced and do not have the pedigree as a JLC. I trie both the Geographic and the grande GMT and I like to Geographic. The grande GMT is too big and looks very odd on my small wrists. Any suggestions? This message has been edited by ram on 2008-12-02 14:20:50

My preference would be the JLC Reverso Grande GMT.

 

Apart from considerations such as movement and "looks" cited by other purists, one thing I don't like about the Master Banker is that whenever I put the watch away, I find it rather cumbersome to reset all three dials once I decide to wear it again. Of course it won't be a problem if you are going to wear it everyday....but who can say for sure?

 

Sam