When the information from Jaeger LeCoultre was released on the new Geophysic, our interest was immediately piqued. After reading through the finer details of the watches and after viewing the watches in person, we think Jaeger LeCoultre has done a wonderful job. Introducing the Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic True Second and Universal Time.
The new Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic True Second and Universal Time models are not limited editions. They are new additions to the Jaeger LeCoultre collection.
The Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic True Second and Universal Time models have taken design cues from the original Geophysic of 1958 such as the screw down back and Super-Luminova dots around the inner flange which allow for time to be read easier in the dark. The hour and minute hands also have Super-Luminova applied to them.
Both models will be available in stainless steel and pink gold. The stainless steel models feature a folding clasp while the pink gold models have a pin buckle.
Geophysic True Second
The Geophysic True Second features a relatively simplistic dial with Geophysic and True Second printed on the dial in addition to the baton hands for the hours and minutes and the applied markers for the hours.
TheJaeger LeCoultre Geophysic True Second in stainless steel
The 39.6mm case features a blend of polished and satin surfaces. We especially love the angled lugs which have been carefully polished.
The lovely angled lines of the lugs on the Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic
The 39.5mm case fits snugly on the wrist. We think JLC have gotten the proportions just right.
The Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic True Second in Pink Gold on the wrist at Watches and Wonders
Now onto the movement of the timepiece. The self winding Calibre 770. It features a true seconds, hence its inclusion in the name of watch. Also known as Dead Beat Seconds, the second hand mimics a quartz watch’s second hand by making precise one second jumps. This allows for more accurate measuring of precise time. JLC have utilised an additional hairspring, which stores up the required energy for the seconds hand to make its precise ticks. The movement also allows for the hour hand to be adjusted without the minutes and the seconds stopping, making it easy for adjustment of the time when crossing timezones. The Calibre 770 has a power reserve of 40 hours.
The self winding Calibre 770 with gold winding rotor and true seconds complication
In addition to a typical balance wheel featuring a non-circular configuration that required lengthy research in order to reduce air friction. Named the Gyrolab, this device was initially developed in a laboratory version back in 2007 to equip the Master Compressor Extreme Lab 1 watch. It took eight years to transition from this confidential version to one that could be incorporated into an entire watch line. The Geophysic is the first collection to enjoy the full benefits of this key breakthrough and its determining influence on the precision of the watch.
The Gyrolab balance wheel
Geophysic Universal Time
The second addition to the Geophysic line is the Universal Time. This watch is perfect for the traveler who needs to know the time of cities around the world. The Universal Time has a slightly bigger case at 41.6mm.
The Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic Universal Time in Stainless Steel
The Universal Time allows for the reading of 24 cities simultaneously in addition to local time. The dial features a map of the world done in a lovely lacquer and applied hour markers.
A close up of the Pink Gold model with its lovely lacquer dial at Watches and Wonders.
The time is adjusted via the crown and no longer with a pushbutton. Once the universal time has been set, there is no need to adjust it while crisscrossing the world. Travelers need only adjust their own time. Local time is automatically adjusted simply by moving the hour hand forwards or backwards, independently of the minutes and seconds to as to avoid any loss of precision.
The Universal Time is powered by the self winding Calibre 772 which in addition to the world time, features the true seconds complication. It also has a power reserve of 72 hours.
We feel that Jaeger LeCoultre has produced two wonderful new timepieces and these will be certain hits! Bravo JLC!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MskGrNsgukc
For more information please visit Jaeger LeCoultre
3 Comments
Peter, I love JLC. My wife has a lovely Reverso with our initials engraved on the reverse side. My father’s wedding watch from my Mom’s family was a cushion shaped JLC (LeCoultre Club).
I respect JLC wholeheartedly. I think in terms of engineering no one comes close. To use an auto analogy, I think JLC is to watchmaking what Porsche is to cars. Porsche does a lot of engineering for other auto brands, including possibly Ferrari.
I love the Reverso series in general and love several of JLC’s grand complications.
But, I feel that their Masters series are just plain ordinary. The designs are lacking in that ‘X’ factor. They need to make them more attractive. They are well executed though overall.
Just my 2 cents.
Thank you for this excellent review. Few can match JLC when it comes to technical innovation.
But JLC needs to learn aesthetics. I find many of their non-Reverso watches hugely lacking on design. There is nothing to grip you. And I feel the same about the time-only with date piece reviewed in your article.
The World Time is nicer, and I will not get into the discussion that its (and MB’s WT) dials are ‘inspired’ by the VC WT. That is for another day.
Both these pieces will be winners – especially the SS versions as you get a lot of ‘watch’ for the money. But it would be nice if the designs were more captivating. The time only with date in SS is plain bland.
Thanks for your comments, Kunal. I actually have the reverse reaction to you. I think the plain GeoPhysic True Second, especially the SS version is very beautifully designed. The proportions are near ideal. And am less positive with the Worldtimer versions as I personally dislike the map on the dial, though, I must say the execution is excellent.
For me, the aesthetics of the JLC simple watches are extremely well defined and beautiful, for both their Master series as well as the Reverso. My own all time favourite JLC is the elegant, clean design of the Reverso Platinum 2. Understated. Beautiful. Perfect.