Do you consider JLC haute horlogerie

[patrike]

I guess we all know of JLC as a good brand. But do you guys consider JLC to be a true haute horlogerie manfacture? Perhaps it´s hard to define.

I have been reading quite a lot on the different forums about the 3 top brands PP, AP and VC. From what I understand JLC are outside of that "special" circle. Is it because they are owned by conglomerate?

All 3 brand have used JLC movements in their watches(?). But they still aren´t considered to be in the same league...

[Monte Cristo]

I say yes, and a couple of Kens JLC will support that...

[FeelingTheBlues]

I consider JLC to be one of the finest haute horlogerie brands. Alas, it is often (too much for my tastes at the very least) forgotten by enthusiasts and not enough considered a top brand (just like it should be in my opinion). I noticed the same thing happened to Breguet.

[FeelingTheBlues]

Perhaps some pictures would help...









Of course, those are masterpieces of the brand and are very rare watches but it kind of shows you how good they can be. I recall Jérome Lambert (the CEO of the brand) explaining in an interview that they had about 1 000 employees in their facilities to produce the watches they make (which isn't a whole lot) because they are all made in-house. In the same interview he exlpained that JLC has produced 1 250 different movement calibers since its beginning, which is the highest amount for a Swiss watch brand.

[capote]

Yes I do. They are called "the watchmaker's watchmaker" for a reason

[sierra11b]

Absolutely they are. You can browse pictures all day long but it really is apparent once you get that JLC catalog and see all that they offer in one beautifully bound book.

I think the 'outside the circle' stigma comes from the fact their some of their watches in the Master, Master Control and Reverso series have lower entry-level price points than the big three.

[tigerpac]

So much of it is self-perpetuating from these and other boards. There are at least 7 or 8 brands that produce absolute top-tier watches that if we took the branding off, people would hold as equals.

[Dickson Lim]

Absolutely yes!
On a plus side, I often consider JLC as of one the few Haute Horlogeries that offer varieties (in terms of designs and movements).

[incontrol]

No question they are an elite watch maker and one of my favorite! Their movement finish is second to none!




Sent from Kevin's IPhone

[McLovin]

Absolutely, it is haute horology. I think the big 3 are the big 3 more due to tradition/history than anything else. ALS, JLC, Breguet and some others are certainly peers today. That JLC is owned by Richemont is irrelevant -- VC is also Richemont-owned, as is ALS.

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by sierra11b

Absolutely they are. You can browse pictures all day long but it really is apparent once you get that JLC catalog and see all that they offer in one beautifully bound book.

I think the 'outside the circle' stigma comes from the fact their some of their watches in the Master, Master Control and Reverso series have lower entry-level price points than the big three.

This is my opinion as well. They have decided not to price themselves out of the semi-affordable range. I think the perception of JLC would be very different if their watches started at 20k instead of something like 6.5K. They could easily follow such a strategy, but have always chosen not to and I'm glad. JLC and Zenith are two of the nicest, least over priced, Swiss brands IMO.

[kilyung]

They are one of the strongest technical manufactures today yet remain one of the greatest values.

[tigerpac]

"JLC and Zenith are two of the nicest, least over priced, Swiss brands IMO."

Agreed. This thread made me think about Zenith as well!

[brkanand]

Yes. I agree

[Mosco]

abso - effin- lutely it's a Haute Horlogerie!

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by Mosco

abso - effin- lutely

Bless you!

[subtona]

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Monte Cristo

I say yes, and a couple of Kens JLC will support that...

Thanks Alex!!

[sierra11b]

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

They could easily follow such a strategy, but have always chosen not to and I'm glad.

Always one of my biggest gripes with the big three, especially in the precious metal department with lower end ALSs (if there is such a thing) vs. say a JLC Ultra Thin. Although PP, AP and VC have already set their bar for SS sports watches and will never decrease their prices, I'm pretty confident that an ALS 1815 in SS wouldn't weaken the brand given their awesome lineup of strictly precious metal watches. One can dream!

[Psmith]

Yes I do

[VetteBandit]

Hands down yes. One of my favorite brands ta-boot.

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by sierra11b

Always one of my biggest gripes with the big three, especially in the precious metal department with lower end ALSs (if there is such a thing) vs. say a JLC Ultra Thin. Although PP, AP and VC have already set their bar for SS sports watches and will never decrease their prices, I'm pretty confident that an ALS 1815 in SS wouldn't weaken the brand given their awesome lineup of strictly precious metal watches. One can dream!

I totally agree with you. I don't need to own a dress watch right now, but when I do, my daily watch will probably be a SS JLC - the value is very good (especially if you don't buy new).

[jolimont]

Originally Posted by capote

Yes I do. They are called "the watchmaker's watchmaker" for a reason

I came here to say that

[patrike]

Great to see there´s some love for JLC. They should get even more appreciation IMO. If they would raise their prices to PP and AP level they might get some more recognition though.

Even though I love my Reverso 976 SS I hardly ever use it. It sits in the safe, and I just take it out to wind it now and then. Used it as my everyday watch before I got the GMTc. Although, I want to upgrade to 18k 976 or 986 in the future. :)

[cedric]

Originally Posted by capote

Yes I do. They are called "the watchmaker's watchmaker" for a reason

Can't agree more. Complications ingenuity aside, what about the innovation of the chrono activation on Amvox 2, although most complain about the fingerprints on sapphire thereafter.

After PP advertising slogan, JLC's is definitely one of the best to describe their timepieces: "Have you ever worn a real watch?"

[capote]

Originally Posted by patrike

Great to see there´s some love for JLC. They should get even more appreciation IMO. If they would raise their prices to PP and AP level they might get some more

The way I see it, they make great pieces, great movements and innovations without charging excessively. Raising prices to get "recognition" would work for Omega and their likes with a fair share of average Joe's buying as a status symbol, but if you even know the name JLC you probably know what they are about. I really like that they offer some of their watches in SS as well

[tigerpac]

Let me know if you're looking to move it! I'm a big 976 fan!

Originally Posted by patrike

Great to see there´s some love for JLC. They should get even more appreciation IMO. If they would raise their prices to PP and AP level they might get some more recognition though.

Even though I love my Reverso 976 SS I hardly ever use it. It sits in the safe, and I just take it out to wind it now and then. Used it as my everyday watch before I got the GMTc. Although, I want to upgrade to 18k 976 or 986 in the future. :)

[patrike]

Originally Posted by tigerpac

Let me know if you're looking to move it! I'm a big 976 fan!

I might be, as I am considering a 976 in 18k. But I think you will get one at a better price in the US, than mine (I am living in Sweden).

[tigerpac]

Damn taxes!

I like the 976 in both SS and Rose gold, though I wish it was yellow gold, more classic for a more classic watch

[patrike]

Originally Posted by tigerpac

Damn taxes!

I like the 976 in both SS and Rose gold, though I wish it was yellow gold, more classic for a more classic watch

How much are they over there? 976 SS is like $ 10 000 over here.