Opinions for JLC watch

[audric]

Dear sifu, i need opinions for this JLC Master Compressor extreme world chronograph. Recently, i have send my watch for repair and the sales rep kept on asking me to buy this watch. I think the size is ok at 46mm as my previous watch is 44mm. Please give me some suggestions as i do not know about the quality of JLC although a lot of ppl have mention it is very good but i still need more ppl opinions.

[Samajaya168]

does it serve the purpose u wan?

for d looks?

for d gorgeous sales lady?

 

[takashi78]

What watch did you send in for repair?
JLC is a great brand, i dont think any watch manufacturer can have a different movt for almost every model.
Ad for the model you mentioned not for me as much as i like the master comp line. The dial is too busy for me.

[dsiewmy]

i too have been bitten by the JLC bug.
went to the JLC boutique and fell in love the MC Diving GMT.
bloody light cos of titanium case & bracelet.
even has 2+2 warranty. pretty awesome.

but worried about resale value, cos i don't think i'll be wearing it for too long.
else from that, AWESOME.

[audric]

Dear Samajaya, actually this watch serve no purpose as i only travel to HK everytime and timezone is same as Malaysia. However, i always like chronograph and that is the reason the sales rep recommend this watch. Btw, the sales lady is not gorgeous, so nvr buy immediately on impulse, phew.

Dear Takashi, i have send in my Montblanc timewalker for repair. Very regret to buy this watch as this is the third time i have send for repair. Do you have any good recommendations for a new watch. I am actually in a dilemma between a JLC and a Panerai. Simple dial is also ok as i will be wearing this only on weekend as i am wearing my Omega seamaster on working days.

[dsiewmy]

jlc and pam are totally different things altogether.

jlc is classy and a true manufacture with dressy, super complicated and even simple watches.
pam on the other hand draws from its italian navy roots.

have u tried on both yet?
that's really important.

[audric]

Dear dsiewmy, i tried both before and both looks ok which is why i am in a dilemma. Normally, my wife will give suggestions but this time, she ask me to make decision myself. Does JLC offer 2 + 2 yr warranty as the AD nvr mention it to me before. This is another added point as i have bad experience with montblanc and i think warranty is very important to me.

[ck77]

audric, sorry to hear about your MB problem. Care to elaborate more what kind of problems on the watch?

[audric]

Dear CK, The first service was due to the date movement was stuck as it was supposed to use a pin to press it but the date cannot move no matter how you press it. 2nd service was due to a screw came off and it can be seen clearly as this watch has a transparent back and this result in the movement not moving. And the third time was last saturday as i was supposed to collect my watch and found out that movement does not move smoothly and the AD told me that when i send for 2nd repair, i nvr mention that the movement does not move smoothly and i only mention about the screw, therefore, they nvr check the movement. I found this ridiculous b'cos aren't there supposed to check whether the watch is working properly before they ask customer to collect. So, here i am looking for a new watch as i think my montblanc will be in the drawer even though it is repair.

[ck77]

audric, the watch is still under warranty huh?
Just curious, did you change the date between 9pm to 3am? Because it might cause the first problem that you faced.

[audric]

Dear CK, the warranty expired on the jun 2010, thats is why i am arguing with them about that third repair as they have mentioned that they will be a charge since warranty is over but the watch was send for 2nd repair on the May and when they have ask me to collect on last sat, i have not even worn it and found out the problem and how can they charge me for that.

The AD also told me that i cannot change the date from 9pm - 3am, i'm not sure whether i have done this before but i will be careful on this in future.

[ck77]

hope everything is alright and we'll have a happy ending 

p/s: oops, is getting off topic here  ok back to jlc

[audric]

Dear CK, that's alrite as i am learning many new things along the way as now only i know i cannot change the date from 9pm-3am. Sometimes, i am really lazy to read the user manual....heheh

Anyway, what is yr opinion on JLC Master Compressor, i want a watch that will never go out of trend so i am looking for common design.

[takashi78]

The 2+2 warranty only applicable to the boutique in Star Hill, its a new thing the boutique is trying to lure cust to buy from them.
So its up to you, pay more for the warranty or less for the normal 2yrs.

Those who know me know that i dont fancy Pam watches hehe...
So my vote goes to the JLC.

Another thing is to consider is the price of service for JLC, not cheap and the more complicated the more it will ring up.

[pr1mus]

Regretted buying the JLC Master Compressor, bought it last year and thankfully managed to sell it off to a friend in Feb this year.

It does not have the long lasting appeal that some watches have. Depending on your budget, if its stretchable, suggest going for either one of the JLC AMVOX range. Those are really beautiful and has a lasting appeal to them IMHO.

Other options would be IWC or Zenith? The upper range has better movements and they look like they'd keep its looks for quite a few years to come. Check out [removed]? they give pretty good discount for IWC's. [removed] is better for Zenith I think.

[kltime]

Just curious, did you change the date between 9pm to 3am?

I know ETa based watches hv this problem. Applies to JLC as well?

[ck77]

Just curious, did you change the date between 9pm to 3am?

I know ETa based watches hv this problem. Applies to JLC as well?

We are talking about MB which is ETA based. JLC am not sure.

[audric]

Dear Primus, thanks for the advice. But JLC master Compressor is already very expensive. Cannot go higher than that else next time find it hard to upgrade to another watch. I kinda like Zenith, what about this model, is it ok. I think the price range will be less than JLC rite. ZENITH Chronomaster XXT Open El Primero 45mm

[kltime]

We are talking about MB which is ETA based. JLC am not sure.
[/quote]

  woops...my bad..monday morning...

[Samajaya168]

have u ever consider Bremont?
IWC is quite nice, i like d regulator n portugese 7days PwrRes
Zenith has great movement but comes 2 servicing, its very complicated watch 2 maintain
JLC, i prefer reverso

 

[Scott C.]

I don't have a Zenith so can't comment on it really...

I will recommend JLC if you are looking for accuracy
Panerai is good looking watch but depend how much you like big watch
IWC, classic and my favorite is Port and Pilot classic.

I do have some bad experience with JLC before my last acquisition, JLC Grande Reverso GMT.

First, i owned a 889/2. I bought it used. It's a master control series and i can't remember the model. I sent back richemont for service but come back still not up to my expectation and the watchmaker told me 889/2 is running within "that" (it was gaining > +10 to +20, can't remember exactly) range. Later i found out the 889/2 should be within COSC standard and it's 1000 hours tested. Wasn't happy and sold few weeks later.

Then, i bought a PAM190. It uses JLC 8 days movement as you all aware. Wasn't happy with the movement too because it's not really accurate either. Managed to sell it with some good price, so, no complain

Last month, i bought a new JLC Grande Reverso GMT, love it I just done a week (actually 2 weeks, but the first week wasn't too sure because i didn't sync the time properly) of testing on its accuracy, after 8 days, it's +5 only and it is still ticking now.. I would expect around 9 days++ PR. But then again, the accuracy really depend on an individual, how you wear it and how you place it, etc.

As compare to IWC 7 days. The Grande GMT accuracy is far more better. Both my Port 7 and BP gain +5 to +6 daily.
PAM233 loses 1 sec daily as per my last check (i think last year :p).

In my opinion, for long power reserve, manual winding are far more accurate then automatic. I can be wrong but that's my opinion based on all my long PR watches i have.

OK, that's the movement part. Personally, I like only the classic look JLC. For example, the Master Control (dressy type), the MEMOVOX and the Reverso (I like only the Grande reverso because the size and thickness are just right), Duometre

The others i find too "extreme" but technically they are good watches, I will like to have it if i can start print my own money

Like Pete pointed out, JLC produces a lot of quality movement and. the same movement will not used in more then 1/2 model. I am surprise that JLC uses different movement in their AMOX Alarm and MEMOVOX Alarm since both are having same function (3 hands, date at 3 o'clock, alarm crown at 2 o'clock, etc). From this, you can see the effort JLC is putting in.

I will say, go for JLC if you looking for a good quality and value for $ watch (if you do some homework checking out the price on JLC, IWC and Panerai you know what i mean )


good luck!
scott
 

[takashi78]

Haha Scott you said you like the more classic look and yet you put in Duometre also.
I agree with you on the classic style of JLC, thats the one i would go for as well.
The master compressor just has too much going on in the dial side.

[Fred]

JLC produces great movements. Personally, i love Master Ultra Thin and Reverso range (although it doesn't really fit my wrist well, too small).

[ckcspice]

JLC has a long history n heritage in making hi-quality movements...more than a century old...only a handful of watch brands can claim this...so i guess enuf said...

[pr1mus]

Dear Primus, thanks for the advice. But JLC master Compressor is already very expensive. Cannot go higher than that else next time find it hard to upgrade to another watch. I kinda like Zenith, what about this model, is it ok. I think the price range will be less than JLC rite. ZENITH Chronomaster XXT Open El Primero 45mm

To be honest, I think buying a watch depends very much on what a person looks for in that watch?
- Features?
- Accuracy?
- Aesthetics?
- Resale value?
- Value for money?

What are you looking for? I normally go for aesthetics since I don't really trade the watches unless I really regret buying it. The Zenith Chronomaster (not gold casing!) is a beautiful watch, question is, is that what you value? Accuracy is pretty good. Resale value not sure.

In terms of accuracy, I'd say that Rolex probably has one of the best accuracy. Unfortunately the looks does not rock my boat at all!