Jaeger-LeCoultre

After reading the recent posts from fellow PuristS niterider and moc about the new Duometre a Quantieme Lunaire, I thought I'd share a few more pics and a short video of this watch.  On my last visit to the local JLC Boutique I had a chance to compare the newly introduced SIHH 2012 version in 18 carat pink gold versus the standard sized Duometre a Chronograph in platinum.






One of the features that is different between the 40.5mm and the 42mm Duometre a Quantieme Lunaire is the skeletonized dial area near the 5 and 7 o'clock positions.  The 40.5mm has a solid dial which makes the two barrel power reserve indicators easier to read, but personally I love skeletonized movements and would have preferred the open dial.  But at the same time, I do like the solid dial as it shows off the beautiful grained texture of the dial.

The 18 carat pink gold case is 40.5mm in diameter and the thickness is slightly thinner at 13.07mm compared to the larger Duometre which is 13.5mm thick.  The sales rep at the JLC Boutique mentioned that the Duometre a Quantieme Lunaire couldn't be made any thinner because of the movement.

I had a chance to compare the two side by side (sorry, didn't take a pic while I was trying them on) and I felt that the 2mm diameter change made a big difference when worn on my small wrist.  One other detail I noticed was that the lugs are slightly smaller which seems to make the 40.5mm Duometre more proportional.  As you can probably tell by now, I really liked the smaller 40.5mm size.  It still does have an impression of being a larger watch than the 40.5mm specifications and I think this is due to the cambered sapphire glass stretching all the way to the outer edges of the thin bezel. 

At the 10 o'clock position is the moon phase and date subdial.  The larger blued hand indicates the date, while the slightly shorter gold hands points to the inner concentric subdial to indicate the age of the moon.  The full moon cycle is 29 1/2 days (as seen on the lower center numbering on the subdial) and can be corrected using a pusher on the side of the case at the 12 o'clock position. 

A 18 carat pink gold push piece at the 10 o'clock side of the case is used to adjust the date, while crown is used to adjust the time hours and minutes. 

Movement is the Jaeger LeCoultre Caliber 381 and consists of 367 parts with two independent barrels and 50 hour power reserve.  One gear train is for the time and the other is for the calender and jumping seconds hand mechanism.
The movement itself is 33.70mm in diameter and is 7.25mm thick. 

Here's a pic of the platinum Duometre a Chronograph that was on display at the boutique (you can see the pink gold version on the lower left of the display case).  The larger size and the heftier weight of the platinum case gave me the impression of a much larger watch and presense on the wrist.

And finally here's a short video of the watch.  Has anyone else had a chance to see this Duometre in person?  Did you like the 40.5mm or the 42mm better?


Regards,
ED-209

I prefer the 42 mm version.

To say all, I think the 40, 5 mm is a mistake.

The two dimensions give the impression, the feeling that JLC is " waving " between the two case sizes while they only wanted to offer a smaller versons for those who prefer smaller watches.

I would have a different opinion if JLC had released the 40, 5 mm for a new Duometre,  I am not comfortable with the same model coming in two different sizes.

Best,

Nicolas

Hi NIcholas,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the two sizes of the Duometres.  Do you like the skeletonizing on the dial or having the solid dial?

Regards,
Ed

Each of them offers a different pereception of the watch, and I love that.

Best,

Nicolas

I didn't see the 40.5 version yet but I find strange the downsizing, especially when the proportions are changed. They tried to make it smaller but they couldn't make it a thin as they wanted because of the movement's size. This seems to be done half way.

For me, the original version is still the right one (and I like the open dial too)

Cheers,

Mark

Hi Mark,
Thanks for checking out the post.  I agree with you about the proportions and the thinness of the case due to the movement.  It was one of the first questions I asked the JLC rep why they couldn't or didn't make it thinner.  It would look more proportional that way.

Regards,
ED-209

the bezel is different too,I will post pics when at home.The 40.5 bezel is smoother and does t have the typical sharp step of the regular Duometre case.

Hi Mo,
You're right about the difference in the bezel, thanks for pointing that out this detail. Looking forward to your pics

Regards,
ED-209

Here is the bezel step  of the 42 Dumetre...confront it with the 40.5,its different giving a much smoother look and feel to the case.

Mo

For me there is no other choice than the 40.5 as I have small wrist and this one fits better for me.  Thanks for the pics and vid!

-MW

Lots of opinions on the Duometre case size and seems most prefer the 42mm.  Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this DRMW.

Regards,
ED-209

Not sure why they have 2 offerings of same watch. They should have left what was perfect alone and offered perhaps a new model if they truly felt so inclined to offer a smaller watch. I own both the WG and RG and to me they make the perfect 42 mm pair! Cheers,

Very cool that you have both the WG and RG Duometres.  Which one do you wear more often?

Regards,
ED-209

I much prefer the original version.  My YG piece is gorgeous.  It is a marvel of construction and truly a piece of art.  The cut outs for the power reserve, while challenging to read, make it much more attractive.  I prefer the color of the sky of the moon phase, maroon, rather than the one on the smaller version (blue I believe) - unique and beautiful.  The proportions of the watch are great.  Of note, in either version, I truly appreciate the fact that JLC repositioned the time dial to be on the right side of the dial rather than on the left side of the dial - it makes it easier to access the time when wearing the under a sleeve as compared to the first Duometre.

mo

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That's the way to go!

Bravo, Mitch.

I can't wait to see a side by side picture!

Best,

Nicolas

wonderful.  I must admit that I am sorely tempted by the Spherotourb to add to the Duometre set but alas it is not in yellow gold and I don't think that it is numbered so no #94!

The perfect YG Trio!

Best,

Nicolas

I will pursue more #94.  Oh by the way, the number 94 if of significance.  It was the number of my first Duometre and so I thought that it would be fun to have the brother with the same number and it was a number that was easy to request.  I hope to continue that trend. 

Victims of the Duometres...

Best,

Nicolas

by a favored artist.  That said, the only victim would be the wallet.

Can't wait to see what is next.

Mitch

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Hi Mitch,

Hope you are doing well, how are things? 

Wow, didn't know that you have both YG Duometres.  Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the original version and good points about how JLC positioned the time subdial on the right side.  Which one do you wear most?

Regards,
ED-209

getting jealous of the other.

I admire your collection! 

Regards,
ED-209

...to handling the watches in real life.

As to your question, I prefer the larger case but the full, non-cut dial. The fact that it does not exist is perhaps best for me as I lack the means to acquire it anyway

Ruckdee

Hi Ruckdee,
Thanks for reading the post and for sharing your thoughts on the case size.  Hope that you can handle one in person soon.

Regards,
ED-209