New to me - JLC Master Control Grande Taille

tyrantlizardrex
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Picked up a little over a week ago from the original owner, who received it as a graduation gift in 2007, sent it for a service in 2010 when it stopped working and then wore it solidly up until 2018 when he bought an Apple Watch.

IMG_4017.jpeg


reference is 140.8.89, it’s the 37mm/19mm lugs version of the line, with a solid caseback and gold medallion.

Its running a little slow and the power reserve isn’t great, and with 13 years since the last service, I suspect it is probably (long over)due one, so I dropped it into JLC this morning,

Had a really good chat with a member of their Bond Street team (Carmen) who got it all booked in, educated me on how the old serial number system worked for these, and shared lots of interesting/geeky stuff about JLC, a really good boutique experience.

I’m looking forward to picking it up in 4-6 weeks time, and will order myself a decent strap in the meantime!
Edited:
 
DrmexicoII
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Lovely JLC. So nice to hear of a good boutique experience too. Post pics when it comes back!
 
Larry S
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It’s such a classic. Really cannot go wrong and certainly with the overhaul.
 
dsio
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That’s very nice. Much as I appreciate the Apple Watch, the original owner really downgraded
 
lightweight
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4-6 week turnaround? Man, you guys have it made over in Europe. It's about 6-8 months to get a watch back from service here in Canada. Stunning watch, I hope you wear the crap out of it when it gets home!
 
tyrantlizardrex
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lightweight lightweight
4-6 week turnaround? Man, you guys have it made over in Europe. It's about 6-8 months to get a watch back from service here in Canada. Stunning watch, I hope you wear the crap out of it when it gets home!


Wowzers!

JLC quoted me 4-6 weeks at their U.K. facility (which is just north of London and I believe also looks after Cartier and Vacheron).

We were chatting in the boutique about their restoration service - where vintage go back to Switzerland - and depending on what is needed/the level of the restoration, they quote up to 12 months.

4-6 weeks is relatively speaking a blink of an eye, but I do find myself already missing it!
 
davidswiss
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That's very handsome, the person who preferred the Apple watch obviously needs help.
 
Tony C.
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This is literally the only contemporary watch that I have owned, and I have owned hundreds of watches. A true classic!
 
watch_my_six
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Beautiful! I have the Reserve de Marche version arriving tomorrow (140.8.93)! Do you happen to know what the lug-to-lug is on these cases (assuming they are the same)?
 
tyrantlizardrex
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watch_my_six jspdl
Beautiful! I have the Reserve de Marche version arriving tomorrow (140.8.93)! Do you happen to know what the lug-to-lug is on these cases (assuming they are the same)?

The lug width on this one is 19mm… at some point they move to 20mm (I think when the date model grows to 40mm, but I’m not sure).
 
Jones in LA
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It's so refreshing to hear about an instance of brand-specific geekiness of Boutique personnel, as there are so few Boutique-based watch geeks to be found.

A few weeks ago I visited a new Grand Seiko boutique that opened at our local mall. I walked in knowing very little about Grand Seiko watches, and when I left the shop ten minutes later I still knew very little. Subsequently, I went through a couple of cycles of educating myself online, then returning to the shop to see watches in real life. Each time I was there, I educated the shop personnel a little.
 
watch_my_six
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tyrantlizardrex tyrantlizardrex
The lug width on this one is 19mm… at some point they move to 20mm (I think when the date model grows to 40mm, but I’m not sure).

Right, but I meant the other dimension (length?). It looks like ~43mm?
 
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timjohn
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tyrantlizardrex tyrantlizardrex
We were chatting in the boutique about their restoration service - where vintage go back to Switzerland - and depending on what is needed/the level of the restoration, they quote up to 12 months.
I recently took my E168 Geophysic into the boutique here in Sydney to ask about a restoration. The staff were charming, but not impressed with Switzerland: over A$2,000 for a movement service; over A$2,000 to refresh the dial; and despite repeated requests, no quote on refinishing an over-polished case. Eventually I took it back.

It doesn't seem to be a Richemont-wide problem. Had a Cartier Tank Basculante serviced by the London boutique last year -- fast, fabulous service and at a competitive price....
 
Eve
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I used to own the same reference a few years ago, such a lovely watch and perfect size for me.
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watch_my_six
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@tyrantlizardrex @Eve do either of you know of a set of quick-release spring bars (or strap with quick-release spring bars) that the tips of fit the lug holes on your watches? I just got a Delugs 19mm strap, and the actual tips of the 1.5mm spring bars are too fat to fit fully recessed in the holes in the lugs...
 
Eve
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watch_my_six jspdl
@tyrantlizardrex @Eve do either of you know of a set of quick-release spring bars (or strap with quick-release spring bars) that the tips of fit the lug holes on your watches? I just got a Delugs 19mm strap, and the actual tips of the 1.5mm spring bars are too fat to fit fully recessed in the holes in the lugs...
Sorry, cant help with quick release spring bars.
Usually i replace all my quick reslease springbars for the regular ones 😁
 
tyrantlizardrex
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watch_my_six jspdl
@tyrantlizardrex @Eve do either of you know of a set of quick-release spring bars (or strap with quick-release spring bars) that the tips of fit the lug holes on your watches? I just got a Delugs 19mm strap, and the actual tips of the 1.5mm spring bars are too fat to fit fully recessed in the holes in the lugs...

I have just had a strap made for this watch by The Strap Tailor which has curved quick release spring bars that fit the holes. I am not sure who his spring bars are from through.

As an aside, the next one I order I will be going for regular rather than quick release - I’m finding that on the curve of the strap the QR leaves a little bump which is hard to notice in normal wear, but one I noticed it I’ve been unable to stop! Pure tan aesthetic thing - but it’s mildly annoying me.
 
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