Jaeger-LeCoultre

Not until recently, I realize that my collection of watches (well, just two watches) is insufficient to accommodate me in all social environments, work included. Currently, I own a Rolex Air King and a Mido All-Dial. Both are quite sporty in stainless-steel bracelet and rubber bracelet, respectively. It would be nice if I had something that was more toned down and reserved to go with my suits. I do some research and find Jaeger-LeCoultre. This brand seems to offer a wide range of gentlemanly watches of the highest quality. This is where my headache starts: too many choices. I have narrowed down to the Master Control line-up and picked a few candidates.

-Master Geographic
-Master World Geographic
-Master Hometime

All of the above are more than presentable at my office and dinner events. I do travel quite a bit for work, so it is obvious why I have chosen the three. What I learn from my research is that Master Geographic is a classic JL model. The movement is capable and trustworthy. The style of it has withstood the test of time. Master World Geographic is newer(?). I am sure the movement is equally good. The Master Hometime is quite similar to Master Geographic, in the sense that it is an evolution.

-Do owners of Geographic or World Geographic find the extra dials distracting to tell time?
-Why did owners of Hometime choose it over Geographic/World Geographic (other than price)?

Thank you in advance! I would love to get my hands on one of these babies!

As for your question, the answer is quite difficult, as I see many differences between the Géos, and the Hometime.

Let's say that the Hometime looks dressier, when the Géos are more suitable in every occasion, dressy or casual.

But this is only my personnal take.

I have a slight  preference for the Master World Géographique, as I'm a sucker for World Time watches, and this one is a very nice one, and even a bargain, if we have to speak about Value.

But you won't go wrong with each of these 3.

Aaah, BTW, as you already have a  Rolex Air King, I would more go on the World Geo, as the HT will be close to Air King, esthetically speaking.

Nice collection by the way!

Best, and keep us up dated, please.

Nicolas

Thank you Nicolas, for the quick response. In fact, I was leaving towards Master Geo, but your post made me think twice. I do enjoy my Rolex Air King. It is a straightforward watch (exactly the reason I got it for). You are also right in pointing out that Air King and Hometime being similar aesthetically speaking.
I shall wait to see if more people would like to chime in.

Thanks again and Happy Lunar New Year!

I had almost the exact same debate as you 2 years ago. At the time, I was wearing a Cartier Roadster XL Chrono and some base Panerai models (actually still wearing them). I wanted to graduate to a drssier watch and fine Manufactuer which offered great value. Jaeger-LeCoultre was my favorite in this category and I remembered falling in love with the Master Geo pre-2006 model (38 mm) in 2004 or 2005. I then saw the new Master World Geo on Jaeger-LeCoultre's website and was sold so to speak. However,  my heart went back to the Master Geo (40 mm version - very similar to the 38 mm) when I compared the two models in the metal. I found the dial of the new 41.5 mm Master World Geo a little on the busy side and I liked the small window at 6 O'clock where I could change the second time zone on the Master Geo. I also believe the Master Geo is the only model of the three you mentioned that offers day/night indication in both time zones. After two years, I can say that I have not regretted buying the Master Geo at all. In fact, sometimes I gaze at the dial and wonder is their a more beautiful watch in the world? lol. Of course, this is all very subjective and all three watches are winners. I am sure your instincts will eventually decide for you. Best wishes, 

Now I want both Geographic and World Geographic badly! I will come back over the weekend; hopefully by then, I will have some news regarding a new wristwatch to share with you!

It's really the only true travel watch that you mentioned. the other two are great world timers - use them to phone around the world - but they are poor travel watches. For a travel watch you need to know two things: time at home (on a 24 hour basis) and local time. Everything else is superfluous.

On the Geographics the large dial is "home" time and the smaller dial is "local" time, which is the wrong way around. The hour adjustment should be on the main dial to capture local time.

On that basis the Hometime is the watch for real travelers.

You bring up a good point. In fact, after doing more researching on the web, I see this notion expressed by many. Hometime is on my list of candidates for its simplicity in design. For me, that is always an attraction. In regards to the previous generation Hometime dial and the just released version, which one do you prefer and why?

More interesting dial. I would love to be able to afford the old version in wg with black dial which is a "Boutique Special". You can check it out under Boutique watches on the JLC website.

and UN GMT or UTC for me.

Well if it is simplicity or ease of reading, either the HT of the Master Geo would be a good choice over the Master World.  The Master World Geo seems to me the only world timer of the three since you can see all the cities/timezones at once, but I can see that being the hardest to read quickly, even though I share Nicolas' passion for worldtimers. 

I am partial to the Master Geo because it is the easiest in terms of selecting the city you are visiting.  The placement of the second time zone subdial is located right above the selected travel city and there is an indicator right there to the left of the subdial to tell you whether it is pm or am, which also allows you to read the time in the visited city in either 12-hour or 24-hour format. It is incredibly clever, easy to read and intuitive.  And as emcquillan mentioned above, the Master Geo is the only model that offers day/night indication in both time zones, which is nifty.  I am very taken with the Master Compressor Geographic, the sporty version of the Master Geographic -- it was my first JLC love, but certainly not as dressy as the ones you are considering.

One other thing to consider is the power reserve indicator.  Do you like it or not?  Again, personal preference.

Both the HT and Master Geo are ideal and true travel watches, so you can't go wrong.  You will decide on which one speaks to you more. All three are beautiful.

Looking forward to seeing what you choose. Good luck.

respo

Thank you all for the wonderful comments. I think tomorrow night is the moment of truth, if not tonight. I will definitely come back and share with you all on my new purchase.

Thank you for all the comments! I finally made my decision and gone for the following. I will post pictures of it when I can. Meanwhile, please enjoy the photographs that I got from JLC's official website.

No message body

It is a Boutique Edition, in Titaniu^m, with a special grey dial.

Or is it the current Master World Géo?

Never mind, the most important is that you made, IMO, the best choice: YOUR choice!

Please, post more pics of your beauty!

Best.

Nicolas

Yes, that exact one. In the end, I opted for the titanium boutique version of Master World Geographic! I'll post more phtographs of it up in the next few days.

It's a special watch and very beautiful.  Can't wait o see "live" pics of your new baby.

respo

Today is the first day of work in Taiwan after a long Lunar New Year celebration. Things are a bit hectic, so I didn't have time to use my nice SLR to take the photos. Please bear with me while you view the following photos taken with my Sony P&S.

With a Portuguese Ref 5000, and a White Milgauss!

Thanks for having taken the time to post these pics.

Best.

Nicolas

You have very good eyes, but it actually is a Air King. The Portuguese was a gift from my dad. It's not sapphire, so I don't wear it as much.

No message body