Jaeger-LeCoultre

Hello Vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre Lovers,

 

In this series we have already talked about the case back of the Géomatic, but we didn’t talk about the whole watch.

 

 

Not long ago Chris (Cuibono) asked about the MUT vs GO Senator.

 

I have tried both on my wrist but I am not fully convinced…

 

Then Nicolas suggested the Géomatic (seconded by me and Patrice ).

 

This made me think it’s time to have a look at the Géomatic ads!

 

 

I think you have seen most of them before, but having a vintage ad series and leaving the Géomatic out is not an option, IMO.

 

For me this is one of the most elegant JLC watches from the 60’s.

 

The one I put on when I wear a tuxedo, having an important suit required presentation or meeting at work.

 

 

Suiting cufflinks is important!

 

 

 

What surprises me is that in the 60’s the Géomatic was promoted as a watch for the “man in action”…

 

Almost as a sports watch!

 

Jaeger-LeCoultre, French ad, 1968.

 

Another thing that you may not aware of are the features.

 

Well, most of them are common known: chronometer, automatic, date, water resistant, shock protected…

 

But did you know that it also is antimagnetic?!

 

Often when we speak of antimagnetic watches the Géophysic comes to mind…

 

 

A fact I didn’t know when I got the watch!

 

Reference E 399, French reference 12 R.A.E.SC. 16(?).

 

Jaeger-LeCoultre, French ad, 1966.

 

One of my favourite JLC ad series is the woodcut ads.

 

 

Jaeger-LeCoultre, French ad, 1964.

 

Interesting is that almost all information I have found so far is in French.

 

No trace of the Géomatic in any of the LeCoultre documents I have.

 

Was this because the Master Mariner line was so strong in the US?

 

So JLC reserved the Géomatic for the European market?

 

Another very appealing ad series from the 60’s is the ancient Greek stone series:

 

Columns, pillars and obelisks.

 

Jaeger-LeCoultre, French ad, 1963.

 

In this ad the case back is shown.

 

The beautiful planet-sphere!

 

 

 

When reading this it’s easy to think the Gold ref is 12 R.A.E.SC. 16 and the SS ref is E 399.

 

But AFAIK the Gold and the SS had the same ref French vs. Worldwide.

 

 

The Géomatic was at the same time as the E 855, a watch I will come back to soon.

 

 

Jaeger-LeCoultre, German catalogue, 1965.

 

Here the hack-second feature is mentioned.

 

But what surprises me here is the reference: Ref E 398 !?

 

Misprint, or is there a difference from the “normal” E 399 Géomatic?

 

Jaeger-LeCoultre, French catalogue, 1967.

 

Again the text is written so you might think the Gold and the SS has different references?!

 

Did you notice the price?

 

Gold version went from 1500 Franc in 1963 to 1680 Franc in 1967.

 

And the SS from 730 F to 800 F.

 

Well, to read these old ads gives a lot of information, but also a bit confusing…

 

A lot of question pops into mind…

 

But one thing is for sure – there are always nice slogans inside!

 

 

How about this one: “chef-d’oeuvre de la technique Suisse” (Masterpiece of Swiss art)…

 

Or “intelligence des mécanismes et beauté des formes” (Intelligent mechancisms and beautyful forms).

 

Jaeger-LeCoultre, French ad, 1963.

 

 

Thank you for reading the Part #7 of this Vintage Ads Series.

 

Hope you enjoyed!

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

 

Vintage Ads: The Series – Intro!

 

Vintage Ads: The Series – Part #1 Futurematic

 

Vintage Ads: The Series – Part #2 Memovox Pocket Alarms

 

Vintage Ads: The Series – Part #3 Electronic

 

Vintage Ads: The Series – Part #4 The Planet-Sphere

 

Vintage Ads: The Series – Part #5 Memovox Parking  

 

Vintage Ads: The Series – Part #6 Advertising as art  

But I think I might have a grail watch. The Geomatic is EVERYTHING I could ask for in a watch. Thanks so much for sharing Blowman.

--Sancerre

The Geomatic is a grail, IMO.

 

The good part is that the price is not so “grailish” as many other dreams…

 

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

Can't wait to E855.

Thank's for the very interesting posts about JLC.

Congrats Blomman!

Best.

René

I will explain in a separate post soon.

 

Thank you, René!

 

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

Blomman, your Vintage saga has again found another chapter, so appealing.
- Thank you for highlighting on this special 'goddess' !

It truly resembles for me at least, a convincing balance among many watches I know from JLC,
a very special one as well - as it is not only an absolute beauty but a Chronometre !!
- (if it has the same precision, I am not sure)

Possibly, no likely only surpassed by the icon, the epitomic Geophysic,
which has those elements of uniqueness and historical significance connected,
(and representing a piece more on the precision, the scientific side, I learned)

As per to the ads, I at times have the feeling, that JLC pursued several lines, various
statements with and for the watch, not always coherent and different we tend to perceive it now
- I personally would not link this watch with a lot of 'action' or sports, nor would I use it for those;
the ads with the obelisk, serence contemplation, I can more relate to, find it more logical.

I think, also Nico made a fine point , there

Thus, I also occasionally thought, the Geomatic is at times maybe a bit understated
, for sure one with timeless beauty:

Somehow, for me this is a sort of 'gourmet' watch, a piece for the connaisseur,
a piece to strive for or hold, but likewise admire and cherish.

Not long ago, I had the pleasure to see one, and the sublime impression in real, whereby it
all around convinces you: appeal, proportions, balance but also it effortlessly resembles some special
significance with, how shall I say, understated presence, that is so convincingly 'low key',
but elegant with nonchalance, with knowledge of being - special..

In a way, silent knowledge of representing more, much more, than one would assume on first sight:
- thank you for making this again a deserved subject in your fine series.

Someone might summarize " .. Possibly a lot ( if not almost all) of you can want in a fine watch,
- a very fine watch " .
- Not more not less.

A piece many of us love, I am sure - your post again highlighted that nicely.
Warrants to lookout for one with intensity or cherish one, if you belong to some happy owners..

Best, my friend
hs

PS: - what I always also enjoy, is seeing the Geomatic and the 'absolute goddess'
the Geophysic back to back, or even together.. Summit Meeting ..
- had the thankful pleasure to see both in real together at meeting a kind friend, 'you-know-whom'. This message has been edited by hs111 on 2011-08-02 22:30:47

Indeed it is!

 

 

Many seek the Geophysic…

 

To me the Geophysic and the Geomatic are like twins.

 

You can’t have one without the other…

 

They complete each other!

 

 

Thank you for your thoughts, my friend!

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

If you have two different references about the Geomatic, it is because you have two different cases.

Next time you come, I will show you my RG Geomatic, and we'll compare it with your SS. You will notice that the shape of the lugs is not the same, at all.

Now, as for the Geomatic being an amagnetic watch... What I think is that the marketting exagerated a bit the antimagnetic virtues of this watch.

To me, and AFAIK, the only  part of the watch which is antimagnetic is the escapement, and I would be very surprised that the Geomatic qualifies as an amagnetic watch, at the contrary of the SS Geophysic.

Another funny detail is  in the ad " the man in action " series.

One features a horseman, more precisely a Polo Player... Which is a bit in contradiction with the roots of the brand, as Polo was historically linked with another JLC watch, the Reverso.

The other is more appealing, to me, featuring a Driver. I would be very curious to know what car is this one. A Facel Vega? The Dashboard is really cool and suggests Gran Turismo.

Anyway, the Geomatic is a great and very elegant watch, not as mythic as the Geophysic, but, in my opinion,  more elegant.

A watch to rediscover, and the ads serve this purpose very well.

Thanks a lot, my friend, for another reference post.

Best,

Nicolas.

 

This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-08-02 21:55:41

But I did a comparison and could not see any difference.

 

 

 

About the Polo ad – maybe they choose this one because of the Reverso link?

 

During the 60’s the Reverso was discontinued…

 

Thank you for your kind words, my friend!

 

And for the reference post honour.

 

Have an awesome vacation!

 

I already looking forward to your roof shots…

 

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

That Geomatic caseback is so cool.  Thanks for another great article!

-MW

Thank you, MW!

 

Yes, the planet-sphere is something I wish JLC would start to use again…!

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

Great vacation reading.

Best regards,

George

Hope you have a great vacation!

 

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

I was always under the impression that there was a gold-filled LeCoultre version but of course I cannot find anything in writing.

Cheers,

Asi

I never saw a Geomatic badged LeCoultre, nor gold filled....

Best, Bijo.

Nicolas.

However, the JLC version of the Geomatic may have been sold in North America in limited quantities as a specialty watch.

Hope this helps,

gatorcpa

 

No message body

Thank you, Gatorcpa!

 

Do you have any more info or document on this?

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

and never found any info about a LeCoultre Geomatic…

 

But during this time LeCoultre had another chronometer.

 

Nicolas will post something about this later.

 

Thank you for your kind comments, Asi!

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

Blomman,

Thank you very much for another very educative post.

Quick question: What are the Géomatic dimensions?

Cheers

No message body

But it feels much bigger on the wrist.

 

More like 37-38…

 

Not sure it it’s the lugs or the thin bezel, but if I didn’t know I would have said 37-38mm.

 

Always so kind – thank you, Nilo!

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

The Geomatic is indeed simple and very elegant.
And very desirable.

Ed

Very well put, Ed!

 

Thank you for your nice words!

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

... another well-thought post. i like those questions you raised, very interesting and confusing somehow which makes us like to find out more about the MJLC history of these great vintages.

stefan

About JLC – the more confused I get and more questions I have!

 

Luckily, IMO – the search for info is a big part of the fun!

 

 

Happy you liked it, Stefan!

 

Hope to be able to keep this kind of posts coming…

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

The geometic is a classic among classics, refined, elegant, timeless and reliable. It is a very valuable and original dress watch. I rate it on par with the pie pan connie and the date just. Movement wise the finish is excellent and the quality is what you can expect from a jlc which means top notch.

thanks for sharing

best regards

georges

Thank you, Georges!

 

 

Interesting.

 

That would be a great topic for the HoMe forum.

 

Anybody that have all three to make the comparison?

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

A wonderful addition into what has turned out to be an amazing series of articles Blomman.
Thanks so much for sharing them - wonderful.