Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

Roughly a month before the SIHH in Geneva, where Richemont brands (a.o.) introduce their novelties to the press, retailers and consumers, Jaeger-LeCoultre presents their Master Ultra Thin Moon Enamel already. Limited to 100 pieces only, this watch features a dial that is completely executed by hand by a few artisans trained in Le Sentier, where the Jaeger-LeCoultre manufacture is located.Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon EnamelThe Master Ultra Thin collection is among our favourites, as we wrote in this article on their Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar.? Jaeger-LeCoultre uses the Master Ultra Thin not only to show their?hand-guilloch blue enamel dial but also their moonphase indic [...]

One of the questions we get a lot is which watch you should buy. Or which one is considered a good investment. First of all, I think you should buy a watch to wear and enjoy as that's what they are made for in the first place. But when collecting, it sure helps when a watch keeps value. But many have watches with emotional value.Balazs, I hope that some of my watches will become heirlooms for my kids one dayThese watches can be priceless for various reasons. This could even go for watches that are not even that valuable. It is something that comes to mind occasionally so I asked our team if they have watches that are emotionally valuable to them. Here are the stories behind the watch(es) tha [...]

Trust me, I tried and tested the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso more than once, but it is not for me. And I feel bad, because I love the looks and want to like it, but I just cant. Rectangular watches are not for me, there, Ive said it. But if there is one rectangular watch to buy, it is the Reverso in my opinion (no offence to all the Cartier fans). Ive tried many different versions and sizes, at some point even there square shaped Squadra, but that didnt work at all for me. I have the same issue with the classic Heuer Monaco for example. It is not for me. I tried again this time with this blue Reverso Tribute Small Seconds from Jaeger-LeCoultre. Lets have a closer look.Beautiful Blue Reverso Tri [...]

In this weeks You Asked Us episode were answering a question regarding choice of a sports watch with a manufacture caliber. It came from one of our readers and reached us through the contact form on our website. Considering the three watches the writer proposes himself, he not only seems to look for a sports watch, but it should be a chronograph as well. Heres the message:This Week's Question: Which Manufacture Sports Watch to Buy?Dear Fratello Watches, I am about to buy a sports watch, I would like to own a watch of an excellent technical level, possibly of manufacture. I oriented myself towards these models:1. Zenith El Primero 1969 ref. 03.2040.400 / 69.C4942. Vacheron Constantin Overseas [...]

Earlier this year, during the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced their new Polaris collection to the world. Weve been raving about them a number of times, including this hands-on review of the most popular one: the Polaris Memovox. Today, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduces us to the new Polaris Geographic WT limited edition, where WT stands for World Time. Of course.Inspired like all the others on the 1968?Memovox Polaris watch, Jaeger-LeCoultre now comes with another practical complication in their Polaris Geographic WT. Ive been a sucker for world timers since years, and the regular Geographic models (be it Master or even Master Compressor) are wat [...]

It is no secret that passionate watch collectors (and journalists) have a slight preference for vintage watch models. The same goes for the Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox. Whatever version they created in Le Sentier, most collectors just shrug their shoulders and referred to a vintage Memovox model. On January 15th we already briefed you about the?Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Memovox limited edition and other models in the new Polaris collection. However, nothing beats a good hands-on review, so they sent us their?Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Memovox and here we are. After a few weeks of having this watch in my possession, I think I can write down some helpful notes on this limited edition of 1000 pieces. [...]

Very often, I use Jaeger-LeCoultre as an example of a brand that is so interesting, yet they have not a single watch for me. The Master Ultra-thin perpetual perhaps being an expensive exception (I wrote about that one here). In 2004 they tried with the Master Compressor Memovox, which I liked at first, but quickly saw that it wasnt a future classic. I dont need a sports watch from Jaeger-LeCoultre, but I am also too young for a Reverso as a daily beater.Were happy to show you that Jaeger-LeCoultre is announcing something that could fill that gap between a dress watch and a sports watch. Meet the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris collection. Based on the 1968 Memovox Polaris watch, but with modern [...]

You probably recall the Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic 1958 Tribute that was introduced in 2014 (we wrote about it here). At the time also a limited edition that came in three different case materials: stainless steel (800 pieces), pink gold (300 pieces) and platinum (58 pieces). A tribute to the original 1958 Geophysic, with a 38.5mm diameter cases (instead of the original 35mm). All three watches were equipped with the Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 898/1 movement. Then, in 2015, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the Geophysic True Second, with caliber 770.Above the 2014 limited edition on the left (in platinum), the original 35mm version on the right. Below, the 2015 Geophysic True Second.100 Pieces Only [...]

Watches with an extra time zone indicator, like a GMT or world timer always had my interest. I am a frequent traveler, but mainly within the same time zone. Unlike a few years ago, when I traveled for the investment bank and auditing firm I worked for. I used to have a Rolex GMT-Master II at that time, which was my loyal travel companion. Easy to set and I didnt need to be very cautious with it.Now that I am more or less in the time zone (and traded the GMT-Master II a while ago), the need for such a watch isnt really there. At least not from a functional point of view, but as a watch aficionado I am still drawn to this complication. Thats also why I always had (and still have) this soft spo [...]

Watch brands collaborating with jewelers isnt something new and often it is not really worth giving it much coverage. Not wanting to sound negative here, but in a lot of cases, it is just limited to the name of the retailer on the dial or in the case back of an existing watch model. For Steltman jewelers, one of the most prestigious retailers in The Netherlands for watches and jewelry, I am happy to make an exception because of their collaboration watch with Jaeger-LeCoultre.MondriaanThis year marks the 100th anniversary of both Steltman as well as the art movement De Stijl (the style). One of the members of this art movement, was Piet Mondriaan (1872 1944). His Composition with Large Red P [...]

Back in 2011, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the Tribute to 1931 collection of Reverso models. Watches with the same dimensions as the very first Reverso models (without the brand name on the dial). In the meanwhile, Jaeger-LeCoultre has been introducing a number of models in this Tribute range. This year, it was time for the Reverso Tribute Moon watch. Lets have a closer look.Reverso Tribute Moon 3958420The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Moon is based on the Tribute to 1931. The watch is slightly thicker of course, due to the complicated movement. Where the original Tribute to 1931 had a two hands manual wound movement which enabled the Le Sentier manufacture to use a case that was only 7.2m [...]

Jaeger-LeCoultre had a strong game this year during the SIHH in my opinion. It is actually one of the Richemont brands that didnt seem to be searching for its own?identity, but did what it does best: design great watches using their heritage and impressive collection of in-house movements. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Chronograph is my favorite from their new collection. In this article, I will show you why.Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Chronograph ?Using HeritageMy first appointment at the SIHH this year was a coffee with the Dutch representative of Jaeger-LeCoultre. I had an interview planned with Stephane Belmonte later that day, and I thought it would be wise to already have a quick look at the [...]

For the first time again in a long while, I am super enthusiastic again about a watch. Ive worn the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Perpetual from the moment I picked it up, till the very last hour before I had to hand it over again.Yes, we need to give back the watches that we review. In most cases I am not particularly sad about it, it is our work to do so. However, it has been quite a while ago that a watch made me super enthusiastic again for my own wishlist. Especially a watch in the higher end, with a nice complication (other than a chronograph or GMT).Jaeger-LeCoultre Master PerpetualThis watch has been introduced last year, during the SIHH 2016. We already wrote about it in March of this yea [...]

60th Anniversary2016 marks the 60th anniversary of the automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Memovox. Reason to celebrate with the Master Memovox Boutique Edition, limited to 500 pieces only. These 500 pieces have a blue rich dial with beautiful thick applied hour markers, inspired by their 1970s Memovox watches.Jeager-LeCoultre Caliber 815In 1956, JLC used the self-winding caliber 815 to power the Memovox watches of that time. This new Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Memovox Boutique Edition is equipped with JLC caliber 956, a direct descendent of the original caliber 815. This movement requires two crows, as you can see. One to set and correct time, the other crown to wind the spring that powers the a [...]

Vincent van GoghDutch Post-Impressionist Vincent van Gogh was?almost unnoticed during his (short) life time. Up to his death, age 37, he only sold one painting, La vigne rouge.?However, he painted over 2100 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings. He did so in only about a decade, as he only started painting in his late 20s. Before, he was working for a firm of art dealers in The Hague, London and Paris. When he moved to Paris in 1886 to live with his brother Theo van Gogh (art dealer), in Montmartre, where he got his own studio. Here is where he painted the Self portrait as a painter in 1887/1888. This painting is one of his best known works and can be admired in the Van Gogh Museum in [...]

Somehow, this Grande Reverso wasnt shown during the presentation of Jaeger-LeCoultre this year in Geneva. However, it was on display in the lobby of the Jaeger-LeCoultre booth so we asked if we could see it up close.The little sign on the plate next to the watch said that it was inspired by the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso model from 1935, with a central second hand, but yet it is called the Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso 1931. In any case, this vintage looking and inspired watch is a beautiful piece that really does have that appeal of a vintage watch.Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso 1931 Seconde CentraleThe Tribute to 1931 model (that we reviewed here) received some follow-up models with diffe [...]

One of the highlights of the first day at the SIHH for us is this Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Calendar in stainless steel with a meteorite dial. We will soon get back to you with a hands-on article but we thought it would be nice to already show you some first photos.This watch will be available in gold as well, but we actually prefer the stainless steel model (reference Q1558421). This Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Calendar watch features a day, date, month and moon phases indication. Besides showing the time of course. Since all meteorite cuts show different patterns, you could say you will have a unique watch with this Master Calendar piece.Inside ticks JLCs caliber 866 movement and consists of 305 [...]

During our visits to watch manufactures we always get to see a lot of watch makers at work. Sitting behind their low desks, highly concentrated, working on movements or other small watch parts. Recently I was able to try it ourselves during the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Class Watch Training.Jaeger-LeCoultre Master ClassOrganised in their recently opened boutique in the renowned P.C. Hooftstraat in Amsterdam, we were welcomed by the JLC team and their watchmaker. In their basement theyd set up some work benches, with all the necessary watch making tools for the surgery we were about to perform. Today patient? The Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 986, as used in the Grande Reverso Duoface.After explaini [...]

At the dawn of availability, last week Fratellowatches attended the introduction?of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic 1958 tribute in The Netherlands. The presentation was held in the beautiful historic Admiralty room of the former Arsenal, now National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam.The HistoryIn the mid 20th century the scientific community was preparing a program of scientific explorations towards the International Geophysical Year 1958. Jaeger-LeCoultre decided to associate with this initiative by creating an exceptional precision instrument, the Geophysic watch.The most important design elements of the watch were readability, precision and reliability. Its calibre 478BWSbr movement was deriv [...]

Already announced in December 2013, but weve finally come to see it in the flesh during the SIHH 2014 in Geneva last week. The Reverso is perhaps the most iconic Jaeger-LeCoultre timepiece and since a few years it is possible to buy this Tribute to 1931 or simply 1931 model that comes very close to the original watch from the 1930s.After releasing a few boutique specials of this watch, Jaeger-LeCoultre decided to make this Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931 with its pink gold case and chocolate-toned dial available for all JLC retailers.A while ago we did a hands-on review with the stainless steel version of the Reverso 1931 (which you can read here). The case dimensions of this new pink gold ve [...]