On The Wrist: Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic
MONDAY OCTOBER 5, 2015
While packing for a weekend getaway, I received an inviting message from Jaeger LeCoultre to witness the launch of their latest model, the Geophysic. I was very impressed by their Geophysic released last year which was a homage to its 1958 incarnation. It has a reputation for having been to the North Pole and for being somewhat anti-magnetic. At 38.5 millimetres, it was a size that is up to my liking. Moreover, it sits comfortable on the wrist. Unfortunately, it was a limited edition but I wish for it to be permanent in JLC’s stable.
PRO
Comfortable on wrist
Beautiful case back exhibition
CON
Too understated
More expensive than a
limited edition predecessor
SPECIFICATION
39.6 mm & 41.6 mm Diameter
11.8 mm & 11.9 mm Thickness
50 meters Water Resistance
40 hours Power Reserve
36 Jewels 275 & 274 Components
True Second (RM 33,000)
Universal Time (RM 55,000)
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Jaeger LeCoultre Atmos
Classique Tranparente
251 mm Diameter
15 Jewels
RM 32,000
Therefore, I decided to make myself present at LeCoultre’s boutique and was in for the warmest accommodation of any watch store. Having sat down, the Geophysic True Second was presented alongside the Universal Time in stainless steel.
At the face of it, the True Second was rather stale and slightly unimpressive. It ticks like a quartz watch (known as dead beat for better accuracy) despite being a mechanical watch. The new Geophysic has swelled close to 40 mm but lost the propeller-like baton hands. Despite that, it is beautifully polished, catches light with its white gold indices and still sits comfortably on the wrist.
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Turn the TT around and there’s where most of its magic lies. I must say the sapphire case back was quite an exhibition, especially the properly finished rotor in rose gold. Despite that, I kept wishing that it had the dial of the 1958 tribute. As for Universal, it was just all too busy to my liking. If you ask me which JLC wristwatch is most attractive to me, it’d be the Master Ultra Thin Moon in black. Looking beautiful, well-proportioned too in my eyes yet retaining the brand’s understated nature though the diameter is a little larger than my preference.
What’s more interesting to me is Jaeger LeCoultre’s Atmos clocks. To be precise, the Classique Transparente where they are all powered by air or shall I say by the change of temperature. In theory, once set, it will run indefinitely. Just let the rotation of the mesmerising balance wheel take you to your sweetest dreams. If the transparent chair was called the ghost chair, this should be dubbed the ghost clock. Then again, the familiar design language reminds me awfully much of Apple’s iMac G3 and the Harman Kardon SoundSticks.