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nikking1967

Jaeger LeCoultre Master Control Geographic

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nikking1967

I have long admired JLC (Swiss watch brand not a Pop Group!) and consider these somewhat of a 'cut above' the likes of Rolex and other more well known Swiss Makers - their appearance being very refined and classy. I've never been able to afford a real one, as this Geographic goes for about £8,000.00. so, when I saw this offering from Andrew at Trusty Time for just £122.00 ($178.00) !There was no question that I had to get it.....Read on and I will tell you what I think......

 

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This Replica has been around for a while and at least since 2006 so some 8 years at least. The quality and detail of the dial is extremely good indeed and is a tribute to the craftsmen in China who reproduce these. It is very nearly 'correct' to the original. with only a few minor differences, such as the size and position of the date display being larger and sits a little higher up the face than compared to the original. The Power indicator is a little larger than the original and the baton stick markers at 9, 10 & 2 O-Clock are a little different in shape compared to LJC Genuine.

 

However, none of the above detract from what is a completely Gorgeous looking watch, extremely well executed and with a very high degree of attention to detail and finishing. It looks fabulous on the wrist and certainly most people would never know - How many have seen the real thing? Probably None!

 

15553876140_96d5c86262_b.jpg

 

The second Time Zone facility does work, as does the date indicator and the power reserve, and even the little day/night indicator next to the second time zone dial. On the 'real' watch, the time zone can be changed easily via the second crown at the 10-o-clock position and this completely independently of the main time. On this 'Homage' you have to set it by the main crown and by turning this counter-clockwise, then the second time dial hour hand will move separate to the primary hands. When you advance the crown clock-wise, then the main dial hands and the second time dial hands move together, with the minute hands synchronised together - its really very clever and surprisingly accurate if a little fiddly and time consuming to get it spot-on. Very good indeed for the price I have to applaud them here. (I have set mine to reflect the same local GMT time on both dials).

 

The crown at 10-O-Clock does adjust the lower display at the bottom of the dial, and this moves either way to reveal different cities. It moves in a very controlled manner, without any slack or play in the mechanism and feel like quality construction. It does not link in anyway to the time though - well what do you expect for £112.00!!!

 

15553518117_34b853d688_b.jpg

 

There is no hacking control on the crown to stop the watch for time-setting the seconds, but this is I think typical of these 21,000BBH Seagull movements. So with this beat-rate, the sweep hand does not have a very clean sweep and is a little jerky compared to those that run at 28,000. The date changes perfectly and precisely at midnight and can be advanced via a recessed pusher on the case (just the same as the Gen). The Power reserve indicator works perfectly and rises up the scale as you wind it. I have run it a few times and it really does correspond remarkably well to the actual time of running lest as displayed by the indicator in hours. The movement will run for about 42 hours from a full wind. There is a self winding rotor which is engraved rather finely. The rest of the movement detailing is average to below average and reflects the standards of work here from 8-10 years ago (which is when these castings/pressings would have been made). Its ok though and as the watch spends most of the time on the wrist, its no deal-breaker for me at all!

 

The Leather strap is ok and will do for a while, but this watch needs to be on a decent Black Crocodile with folding deployment buckle - so I have ordered one of these off ebay and I think this will complete the package to a 'T'

 

Now the 'hidden' error that these watches have always exhibited, the 'B' in MASTBER CONTROL - see the picture above showing the case back, you can see the error. WHY? when so much of this watch is just spot-on do they make such a fundament error?....Most would not even see it, as the rotor and other stuff leads the eye to that and even ones brain tends to insert the correct 'E' when reading it for the first time.

 

All in All this is a great Replica for the money and I am delighted with the watch, it keeps good time to at around 2 seconds a day gain rate.

15740242022_9969242ed4_h.jpg

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Paparolf

Welcome and great in depth review and great looking timepiece. Pity about spelling, but in no way detracts from the watch. £112.. Amazing.

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baxter

beautiful watch and great review ...... i think that these are some of the best value reps on the market, have the Duometre in RG and as this one works flawlessly with an outstanding finish. This one in SS is on my wish list.

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wqleow

It's a crackling watch for the money.

Nice review. Thanks!

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thehardnochlife

They ought to make an update version with the current technology. I would buy one in a heartbeat.

The rotor on gen also does not look like the one on the rep.

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Stuvetjee

Awesome review! Thanks for sharing! This watch is probably on my toplist, and after this review at spot #1.

 

With the minor flaws i can live, but that caseback engraving mistake is really disapointing :(

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JohnPilot

Welcome. Great first post. This makes me wanting one :D

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tonysoprano211

Awesome review! Thanks for sharing! This watch is probably on my toplist, and after this review at spot #1.

 

With the minor flaws i can live, but that caseback engraving mistake is really disapointing :(

 

+1

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UmpaHimself

Wow, $178. That looks amazing.

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Escapizm

Very good review on a watch I was not familiar with. Quite a "complication" for a rep, on my wish list now if they offer an update!

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xxlxxl59

nice review i have myself the rose gold version and is effectively gorgeous, replacing the provided strap with a decent real croc (mine is burgundy) or lizard will make the watch(which is very nice by itself) jump to a totally upper league

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Daywatch

This is on my wishlist for a long time already as well. Only the $70 transhipping cost from Trusty on top of it have been holding me off.

 

Thanks for a great and detailed review. This is very well done and explains in-depth the handling/functions of it very well, details on the power-reserve with the 42 hours and day/night indicator where great. Really appreciate the effort and the pics. Great watch, wear it well.

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Pseudonym

Now firmly on my list. Think I fancy one in both SS & RG.

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Kmazn19

good reading post. thanks!

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Robeng

great review of a great underestimated watch.I picked one up in KL about 3 months ago for 110 euros.love it!

literally the only tiny thing is that the logo is not 100 % straight not really noticable. and the misspelling on the back is just amusing to me dont care about that.

Something different when eveyone these days is obssesed by the best sub...... Panerai...... AP etc.Nice one!!

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Not That Rich

Great review and photos :thumbsup:

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Kopcap

:drool:

my prefered Jaeger LeCoultre !

 

Great review with great pics : good job !

Enjoy it and wear it well, it's really an eyecatcher

 

(and now, just waiting for mine to be on my wrist !)

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English Gent

<script src="safari-extension://com.ebay.safari.myebaymanager-QYHMMGCMJR/5b85191f/background/helpers/prefilterHelper.js" type="text/javascript"></script>

 

Very nice, can I ask what the watch width is, the gen is 38mm..

 

heres a pic of mine (2001 model) just come back from service, the rep has a lot of its qualities!

 

JLCSERVICE_zpsaeb94136.jpg

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anfalas

Fantastic review and pics, hats off to you mate ;)

 

Must admit this ones been on my radar for a while, such a cracking piece for the money :)

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English Gent

That a gen English gent? Your a lucky guy, this is a master piece. Again testament to this form expanding my tastes as I was not really a fan nor familiar with JLC. http://www.watchfind...29/0/item/39773

 

 

Yep, bought it in 2001. my fav watch... but amazing to see the rep quality, apart from the blue hands.

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Kopcap

here is mine with RG bezel

just new from Silix : a beautifull watch at an amazing price !

All functions are working well and accuracy is quite good ; just need to change the strap because this one doesn't give justice to the beautifull details and bezel's color

 

JLC-MasterGeographic_Face00_zps78e87b66.png

An absolute eyecatcher !

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submarinerblue

Great looking watch. Just checked on Silix but didn't see the model you show in the pic. Did you have to ask them about it specifically?

 

What did Silex charge?

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Kopcap

Great looking watch. Just checked on Silix but didn't see the model you show in the pic. Did you have to ask them about it specifically?

 

What did Silex charge?

 

i made my choice on this model :

http://www.silix-prime.so/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=115_145&products_id=4615

and asked Michelle about sourcing one with RG bezel ; and she found it, at the same price.

for the shipping, as i'm in Europe, i chose DHL as it seems to be safer (and faster !)

 

this beauty is waiting for a brand new and more stylish strap/bracelet

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meenahman

That's a lot of Watch for that money

Lovely

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