Jaeger-LeCoultre

Hi everyone,

Had one observation/question which I wanted to get other people's view on. I have a master world geographic, which I think is awesome from just about all aspects (functionality, looks and relative pricing) but has one thing that has bugged me since I bought it. The city ring makes a slight rattling sound when the watch is shaken even with shaking your wrist to adjust the watch's position (and by this sound I don't mean the rotor winding). I've asked around and looked at other pieces of the same model in shops and they all seem to do the same. My guess is that the city outer ring has some give, both side to side and also upwards toward the glass, which is what's causing the sound.

Has anyone else noticed this, had an explanation from the AD's or is bothered by this (or am I being too sensitive?).

Would love to hear other people's thoughts/experience with this and if it's "fixable".

Cheers,
Carmelo

I'm not an owner of this watch, but will test those which are at the Paris Boutique as soon as I can.

Looks weird to me.

Best, and welcome here, by the way.

Nicolas

i got the same watch 4 years ago. RG version. Yes it is very disturbing. I always thought the sound come from the rotor since I cant see any movement on the ring. I have to admit the sound is a bit loud. In fact, it was the loudest automatic watch that I ever owned. Looked around the same model, and it is the same sound they make. Watch works fine anyway though. I did sent it back for repair after 2 months of purchase from AD because the second time zone sometimes didnt work. It work fine after that. Still my favorite travelling watch.

If you move the watch horizontal to the ground with it's face facing to the sky, you can hear the rotor, which is an acceptable sound and a nice winding sort of sound. if you put the watch with the face facing sideways and move the watch side to side (in theory almost no rotor movement) you hear the rattling sound we are talking about, which is a much more distinct and IMO unpleasant sound. Give it a try

Thanks for your comments and sharing...

Carmelo 

I have been drooling at the MWG for awhile now... interesting to learn this "sound" issue... looking forward to hear what the chief has to say after his visit to the Paris Boutique!!!!!!!

Bruce

Sorry, unfortunately, the exact movement which causes isn't something I could capture on camera as it's quite minor. It's most visible if looked at closely (a low power magnifying glass helps a bit but is visible by the naked eye as well) when the watch is put on its side at roughly 90 degree angle. If you move the watch very slowly, say from an 85 degree angle to a 95 degree angle, somewhere in between you will see when the ring slides out, which is what causes the noise (I'm almost sure). It's a very small movement which the ring makes so you'll have to perform this very slowly and pay attention!

(Attached some pictures to illustrate a bit what I mean above and a quick pic of the watch itself...sorry rough pics)

I've noticed that the non-world version of the Geographic, possibly because of the window construction, holds the city ring better in place and doesn't make this noise.

Again, I love this watch and this would be the only thing which I could fault it with. Only bugs me because it cheapens the feel of the watch on my wrist. Loose fiting parts is not what I associate with expensive, well-manufactured, timepieces. My other watch is a sub which helps heightens my sensitive to sounds of other watches because it's makes no sound at all (in all fairness, it's a less complicated movement too).

My apologies if I've awakened anyone's paranoia regarding this issue, I thought I'd ask to see if it was something that could be fixed.

Cheers,
Carmelo

 

This message has been edited by elqueco on 2010-11-08 23:59:18

And ask them what is possible to do.

I was thinking about the bezels on some JLC ( but not only JLC) Diving watches, which were not tight enough.

Back to the service center, it has been solved.

Maybe you could ask to JLC to do the same with your WT inner ring?

Best,

Nicolas.

Hi Nicolas,

Thanks for the pointers. Actually, I've been to a few AD's asking about this and even looked at  the same watch in several different stores and they all make the same noise. The AD's say to send it in to have it checked if it really bothers me but they think it's standard. Honestly, I've only had the watch for a year (just a few months when the "problem" was starting to bug me) and don't really want to part with it for an extended period yet I'll try and have it checked at the next servicing (btw, how frequently would you recommend?).

it's just a question that I haven't gotten a satisfactory answer to so I thought I'd put it out there to hear if other people had the same problem or already resolved it. 

Thanks for your help and please do let me know if through your contacts you find out something more regarding this topic.

Cheers,
Carmelo

If you wear it on a daily basis, each 5 or 6 years looks like a good period to service your watch.

If you wear it from time to time, you may wait till 7 or 8 years.

Will ask to my contact at the Manufacture what to do with this issue and will keep you updated.

Best,

Nicolas.

Looking forward to hearing what the Manufacture has to say.

Cheers!
Carmelo

I've owned several Master Geos over the years, and they all make this rattle from the play in the city wheel.  Can not/should not be fixed.  Love it for it's quirkiness!

Not sure how long you've had yours, but as a side question, do you know if this would have any impact on the durability of the watch? I would imagine parts rattling against each other isn't the best for wear and tear. Have you had any issues with this?

Thanks,
Carmelo

I've  just been told that there was nothing to do, as it was part of the construction of the World Time system.

These are the disks which make this noise, not the bezel.

Best,

Nicolas

 

Hi Nicolas,

Thanks for checking and letting me/us know. Guess this just adds to the uniqueness of an already very nice watch!

Cheers,
Carmelo