Comments:
Yes, the plural has to be used, as there were different Geomatics, made since 1962 to 1970 ( round cases ) and from 1970 to 1974 ( tonneau shaped case ) for a total of 4351 round cases produced ( 2000 in stainless steel, 1578 in yellow gold, 773 in rose gold ) and 410 tonneau cases ( 60 black dials, 250 champagne, 100 white ).
- The round Geomatic:
There are two references: E 398 ( yellow and rose gold cases ) and E 399 ( stainless steel ).
Two references, as yes, the gold and the stainless steel cases are different.
The stainless steel with these characteristic long beveled lugs, and the slightly domed silver dial:
The typical case back:
The gold versions, with different dials:
The very sophisticated linen dial:
This is not an exhaustive list of dials, as a few others existed.
But you can already notice that the lugs are very different, on the gold cases.
The gold and the steel versions, side by side, recto and verso:
The case is 36 mm big, for a height of approximatively 9 mm.
The screw in case back is showing a very nice medal, with the famous sphere, reminding the Geophysic Logo.
As for the movement, it is the Cal 881 or 883, a 23 jewels automatic movement, with a rotor instead of the bumper, adjusted in five positions and temperatures, beating at 19800 vibrations per hour.
It has a kif shock protection and a stop second. It has been tested during 360 hours, and is, therefore COSC certified.
It is 25, 99 mm big, and 6, 17 mm high.
The round Geomatic is certainly the finest JLC Chronometer, at least when we compare the case, and especially the E 399.
- The Geomatic " Tonneau " Ref E 560:
Sign of the times, with the E 560, we are in the Seventies. As original as it is rare, the elegance of the round case let place to funky lines.
The movement is the same, the Cal 881 or 883, as well as the case back, which is screwed in, with the Sphere.
I saw the black dial only once, and in picture...
If you are fan of the funky trend, wait to see the Cal 906, in the next and last part.
The Cal 906 is the last automatic chronometer movement produced by the Manufacture.
In fact, JLC made 7000 Cal 906, since 1973, till 1975.
Some were housed in JLC watches, others were provided to Vacheron Constantin for their Chronometre Royal " automatic ".
According to the Heritage Gallery, 3060 Cal 906 were housed in 3 watch references: 24 000, 24 001 and 24 002, both being Chronometers.
The 24 000 was produced in 520 pieces, and in steel only.
The 24 001 was produced in 105 pieces in yellow gold, and 1050 pieces in steel.
The 24 002 was made in 234 pieces in yellow gold, and 1151 watches in steel.
All the 906 Chronometers have a screw in case back, with the word Chronometer engraved.
With these 24 000 / 24 001 and 24 002 references, the plexy is not used anymore, changed for a sapphire. A small change, announcing the modern times.
As for the movement, the Cal 906 is a 21 jewels automatic " engine ", quite brutal in its look, 28 mm big, 4, 65 mm high, beating at the pace of 28 800 alternances per hour, adjusted to 5 positions and temperatures.
It has a shock protection ( Kif Elastor ), a fine regulation system and a curious stop second, which is this blue plastic lever located close to the balance Wheel.
A last detail on this movement, the quick setting of the date, through pulling, then pushing the crown, which is a quite fragile system.
With the Cal 906 ends the Vintage Jaeger-Lecoultre Chronometer History... An History which will re born with the Master 1 000 Hours Control in 1992... But that is another story, which may soon have some further developments and chapters...
Best,
I should also thank the JLC Heritage Gallery for their help. They provided me some amazing documents and Pocket watches!
Best,
Nicolas
10th of April, 8 PM, Paris Time?
Best,
Nicolas
The funny thing is that that review will also help me on my articles to come.
As for the Master Tourbillon, yes, it is in the - 1 / +6 sec per day range. Which are prudent specs.
All the best,
Nicolas. This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-04-09 08:57:09
Without accuracy, we would systematically be too late to bid on these Watch auctions.
More seriously, what you are saying is Antoine Lecoultre's philosophy... First, work on accuracy, then on some sophistications / complications.
Best, and thanks for the kind omments.
Nicolas
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I would be very interested to see a picture of this very rare bird. [nt]
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3/ The Geomatics.
Yes, the plural has to be used, as there were different Geomatics, made since 1962 to 1970 ( round cases ) and from 1970 to 1974 ( tonneau shaped case ) for a total of 4351 round cases produced ( 2000 in stainless steel, 1578 in yellow gold, 773 in rose gold ) and 410 tonneau cases ( 60 black dials, 250 champagne, 100 white ).
- The round Geomatic:
There are two references: E 398 ( yellow and rose gold cases ) and E 399 ( stainless steel ).
Two references, as yes, the gold and the stainless steel cases are different.
The stainless steel with these characteristic long beveled lugs, and the slightly domed silver dial:
The typical case back:
The gold versions, with different dials:
The very sophisticated linen dial:
This is not an exhaustive list of dials, as a few others existed.
But you can already notice that the lugs are very different, on the gold cases.
The gold and the steel versions, side by side, recto and verso:
The case is 36 mm big, for a height of approximatively 9 mm.
The screw in case back is showing a very nice medal, with the famous sphere, reminding the Geophysic Logo.
As for the movement, it is the Cal 881 or 883, a 23 jewels automatic movement, with a rotor instead of the bumper, adjusted in five positions and temperatures, beating at 19800 vibrations per hour.
It has a kif shock protection and a stop second. It has been tested during 360 hours, and is, therefore COSC certified.
It is 25, 99 mm big, and 6, 17 mm high.
The round Geomatic is certainly the finest JLC Chronometer, at least when we compare the case, and especially the E 399.
- The Geomatic " Tonneau " Ref E 560:
Sign of the times, with the E 560, we are in the Seventies. As original as it is rare, the elegance of the round case let place to funky lines.
The movement is the same, the Cal 881 or 883, as well as the case back, which is screwed in, with the Sphere.
I saw the black dial only once, and in picture...
If you are fan of the funky trend, wait to see the Cal 906, in the next and last part.
E 560... Such a cool watch!
Now you made me drool....!
And the chronometre papers of the RG...!
Best
Blomman
4/ The Cal 906.
The Cal 906 is the last automatic chronometer movement produced by the Manufacture.
In fact, JLC made 7000 Cal 906, since 1973, till 1975.
Some were housed in JLC watches, others were provided to Vacheron Constantin for their Chronometre Royal " automatic ".
According to the Heritage Gallery, 3060 Cal 906 were housed in 3 watch references: 24 000, 24 001 and 24 002, both being Chronometers.
The 24 000 was produced in 520 pieces, and in steel only.
The 24 001 was produced in 105 pieces in yellow gold, and 1050 pieces in steel.
The 24 002 was made in 234 pieces in yellow gold, and 1151 watches in steel.
All the 906 Chronometers have a screw in case back, with the word Chronometer engraved.
With these 24 000 / 24 001 and 24 002 references, the plexy is not used anymore, changed for a sapphire. A small change, announcing the modern times.
As for the movement, the Cal 906 is a 21 jewels automatic " engine ", quite brutal in its look, 28 mm big, 4, 65 mm high, beating at the pace of 28 800 alternances per hour, adjusted to 5 positions and temperatures.
It has a shock protection ( Kif Elastor ), a fine regulation system and a curious stop second, which is this blue plastic lever located close to the balance Wheel.
A last detail on this movement, the quick setting of the date, through pulling, then pushing the crown, which is a quite fragile system.
With the Cal 906 ends the Vintage Jaeger-Lecoultre Chronometer History... An History which will re born with the Master 1 000 Hours Control in 1992... But that is another story, which may soon have some further developments and chapters...
Best,
Wow my friend!!!
You made an Opus Dei
That is indeed one big beautiful post about JLC chronometry
filled with amazing data and gorgeous pictures
Kudos!
Time spent in making such epic post is truly amazing
surely something to return to on many occasions.
Gratefully yours
Damjan
It was worth the effort. I learned a lot of things when working on it! Thanks, Darko.
It doesn't get any better than this
I am looking forward to your first reference book. With this post, the sharp photos from your new Leica, you certainly have enough material to complete a couple of chapters.
Signed copies of the new book for all Purists!
You are truly the Master JLC Moderator!
Dean
Thanks for the very kind words, Dean. It was an intense pleasure to work on it.
I should also thank the JLC Heritage Gallery for their help. They provided me some amazing documents and Pocket watches!
Best,
Nicolas
I know, I know... IT is a matter of time...
10th of April, 8 PM, Paris Time?
Best,
Nicolas
Caramba.....what a magnificent post
Nicolas, 'the JLC-professor, my compliments.
What an impressive post.
I've never seen anything like this before on a watch-forum, and I've got a lot of forums under my favorites.
Like we say in Holland, chapeau!! Well done.
All the best,
Bobbe
Not the prettiest to look at, not the most beautiful decoration on the movement...
But, for sure the most Super Funky!
Am I obsessed by JLC Chronometres...? YES, indeed I am!
Again, Nicloas - thank you for this stunning post about one of my favourite topics!
Best, my dear friend
Blomman
Wow!! - really like your Duo of Chronometres shown here.. The 24000 must be great in real
.. Congratulations, my Nordic friend ;
very happy for you!
- Both are nice, but I prefer the first, if you allow ..
Best, hs
very happy for you!
- Both are nice, but I prefer the first, if you allow ..
Best, hs
What to say!!????...............
Fantastic Review, what an effort, BRAVO and thank you Nicolas
Cheers
Francois from Down Under
Yes, the IGY logo...
JLC was actually using the planets and solar system already in 1947...
Best
Blomman
Our host creates JLC's own "Opus" series...
Nicolas,
This post is magnificent. The scope and rigor of the research and writing surpasses many of the dedicated commercial watch blogs. Entries like your JLC Chronology epic are what makes 'prosite/PuristS great. Thank you; like 4J, I'm bookmarking this as a reference tool so I can find it without the "search" function.
When I view material this studied and structured available on prosite *for free* then compare cover prices of the watch magazines, I feel like I'm stealing as I read
The Master Tourbillon is one of my all-time favorite JLCs and a personal grail watch, so seeing it front and center on the homepage made my day! Thank you for sharing the JLC accuracy parameters for the 1000 Hours Control... am I correct to assume that the original Master Tourbillon seen here is regulated to achieve the -1/+6 range of the test specs? I understand that the 2009 chronometry champ was a bit of a "hot rod" considering who regulated it...
I'll be enjoying bits and pieces of this post all day.
With Gratitude,
Tim
This message has been edited by Tim_M on 2014-04-08 05:00:51 This message has been edited by Tim_M on 2014-04-08 05:07:40
This post is magnificent. The scope and rigor of the research and writing surpasses many of the dedicated commercial watch blogs. Entries like your JLC Chronology epic are what makes 'prosite/PuristS great. Thank you; like 4J, I'm bookmarking this as a reference tool so I can find it without the "search" function.
When I view material this studied and structured available on prosite *for free* then compare cover prices of the watch magazines, I feel like I'm stealing as I read
The Master Tourbillon is one of my all-time favorite JLCs and a personal grail watch, so seeing it front and center on the homepage made my day! Thank you for sharing the JLC accuracy parameters for the 1000 Hours Control... am I correct to assume that the original Master Tourbillon seen here is regulated to achieve the -1/+6 range of the test specs? I understand that the 2009 chronometry champ was a bit of a "hot rod" considering who regulated it...
I'll be enjoying bits and pieces of this post all day.
With Gratitude,
Tim
This message has been edited by Tim_M on 2014-04-08 05:00:51 This message has been edited by Tim_M on 2014-04-08 05:07:40
Thank you so much for these kind words, Tim.
The funny thing is that that review will also help me on my articles to come.
As for the Master Tourbillon, yes, it is in the - 1 / +6 sec per day range. Which are prudent specs.
All the best,
Nicolas. This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-04-09 08:57:09
WaBooom!.. What a splendid and so enjoyable post & essay !.. Thank you so much !
.. actually have been devouring this well composed write-up, with
so much of data, so many details and other valuable informations..
In reality, you kind of outdid yourself, unbelievingly so - also each "module"
& part is something to read, re-read again and enjoy it.
- I definitely have already bookmarked this article(s) for later easy reference,
and also indeed have enjoyed the splendid pics; always great to see those
pieces and documents, together with data, and observations in the full context,)
so also is the valuable cross-referencing
To " round the full picture"..
All what is maybe left for me, and many here, is to say again : thank you !
Thank you very much !!
Another stellar post-series.. !
Best, my friend , hs
so much of data, so many details and other valuable informations..
In reality, you kind of outdid yourself, unbelievingly so - also each "module"
& part is something to read, re-read again and enjoy it.
- I definitely have already bookmarked this article(s) for later easy reference,
and also indeed have enjoyed the splendid pics; always great to see those
pieces and documents, together with data, and observations in the full context,)
so also is the valuable cross-referencing
To " round the full picture"..
All what is maybe left for me, and many here, is to say again : thank you !
Thank you very much !!
Another stellar post-series.. !
Best, my friend , hs
Nicolas, first of all I would like...
To thank you for an fantastic post! This time you have really outdone your self!
To me Chronometry is the essence of watchmaking.
Yes, I know we are talking about Tourbillons, MR's and all of these high end complications...
BUT, if the accuracy is not fulfilled in a watch, all others will fall and the watch will lose its function and appeal.
I am happy to see that you also mentioned the Master Control even if the dial do not say "Chronometre"!
Best, my fried
Blomman
Accuracy is vital for me as well.
Without accuracy, we would systematically be too late to bid on these Watch auctions.
More seriously, what you are saying is Antoine Lecoultre's philosophy... First, work on accuracy, then on some sophistications / complications.
Best, and thanks for the kind omments.
Nicolas