Need some help to decide...

[zocsos]

Hello Everybody !

I'm new to this forum and wanted to get some expert advice from you on what time piece should I get. My first choice would be Jaeger-LeCoultre's Master compressor Diving GMT and the second would be Rolex's GMT Master II.
I'd like to get a piece that is very reliable, durable/ sturdy , and has a good resale value.

Can someone give me a hand with my decision?

Thanks a million

Z

[slcbbrown]

Great! I love to give advice, and I want you to know that my advice is worth every penny that it costs.

A couple points, if you aren't a watch nut, already:

1. I really like what I see of JLC models, and their price points. Might be as big a bargain as there is for such a well regarded brand. I don't think you can go wrong with the Master Compressors.
2. That said, I would not buy JLC before Rolex as my first or only very high quality watch. If you want a watch that can really take a beating (and has the history to back up the claims), start with Rolex. There are more sophisticated, expensive, and innovative brands, but none that I consider more robust. Most of the high end brands with a lot of history were dress watch experts. They now make sport models, but their brand history is in the dress watch area.
3. Rolex are all inhouse movement watches, now. When Rolex makes a movement, there is only one grade-- Rolex. JLC is well known for their movements, but I don't know that they are so well known for being bulletproof.
4. Anywhere in the world, you can probably find someone to work on your Rolex. Lots of times, the high price Swiss brands will be serviced back at the factory. That's a big deal for a watch that could be yours for 50 years.
5. IMO, a JLC will have little wrist presence compared to the GMT. If you want to fly under the radar, pick JLC. If you want your watch brand to be noticed a little, pick the GMT.
6. Most of the Master Compressors that I see have a strap, instead of a steel bracelet. For a sport watch, it's nice to have a strap option, but how can it be a sport model with a gator strap? I know some Compressors come with a bracelet, but if the one you like doesn't-- that's a step down compared to the GMT.
7. I can't speak to JLC's resale value, but I would be surprised if it is better than Rolex'. Certainly, there is a much stronger market for used Rolex, making Rolex a more liquid asset
8. You might take all this with a grain of salt, and I do like the JLC.

[boa2]

Originally Posted by slcbbrown

Great! I love to give advice, and I want you to know that my advice is worth every penny that it costs.

A couple points, if you aren't a watch nut, already:

1. I really like what I see of JLC models, and their price points. Might be as big a bargain as there is for such a well regarded brand. I don't think you can go wrong with the Master Compressors.
2. That said, I would not buy JLC before Rolex as my first or only very high quality watch. If you want a watch that can really take a beating (and has the history to back up the claims), start with Rolex. There are more sophisticated, expensive, and innovative brands, but none that I consider more robust. Most of the high end brands with a lot of history were dress watch experts. They now make sport models, but their brand history is in the dress watch area.
3. Rolex are all inhouse movement watches, now. When Rolex makes a movement, there is only one grade-- Rolex. JLC is well known for their movements, but I don't know that they are so well known for being bulletproof.
4. Anywhere in the world, you can probably find someone to work on your Rolex. Lots of times, the high price Swiss brands will be serviced back at the factory. That's a big deal for a watch that could be yours for 50 years.
5. IMO, a JLC will have little wrist presence compared to the GMT. If you want to fly under the radar, pick JLC. If you want your watch brand to be noticed a little, pick the GMT.
6. Most of the Master Compressors that I see have a strap, instead of a steel bracelet. For a sport watch, it's nice to have a strap option, but how can it be a sport model with a gator strap? I know some Compressors come with a bracelet, but if the one you like doesn't-- that's a step down compared to the GMT.
7. I can't speak to JLC's resale value, but I would be surprised if it is better than Rolex'. Certainly, there is a much stronger market for used Rolex, making Rolex a more liquid asset
8. You might take all this with a grain of salt, and I do like the JLC.

This is a diving watch he is asking about. They are available on a rubber strap, Ti bracelet, or articulated rubber bracelet...not a croc. And they are of course interchangeable. Depending upon your response to the watch, it will have at least the presence of the GMT. It is, after all, a 44mm (or 46.3, depending upon your preference) Diving watch.





JLC has made more in-house movements than any other manufacturer...nearly 1300, in fact. The movement in this watch is robust and extremely accurate.

As far as servicing the watch, the JLC service center is in your home state of Texas. Right up the road in Fort Worth, in fact. They do not have to go back to Switzerland. In fact, I know of no Swiss brand that doesn't have a service center in the US, and they will service everything except (in rare cases) their most complicated pieces.

I'm not suggesting one over the other, as I am a huge fan of both. I just wanted to make sure we were exchanging accurate and pertinent details. And in the end, I always say go with the one that makes you smile the widest.

[Tri-Tip]

That's a beautiful watch. I've never seen one like it before. To anybody but a WIS, they would probably think it's a $300 timepiece.

In the end, great choice on the GMT. I wanted that, but went with the Sub-C because I felt the bezel on the GMT was too busy.

[MonBK]

Welcome

[rolexsweep]

i would personally choose the rolex, love the JLC but the rolex has that little extra shine when i look at them both.

[dddrees]

I own 5 Rolexs and 2 JLCs.

From what I have gathered in the very very short time that I have been into the watch thing:

Rolex has the reputation of being the most reliable, sturdy and durable of watches. They are also known to have the highest resale value at least in the price range you are talking about.

JLCs are extremely nice watches and I love the 2 that I have. Neither are sport watches however. Big bang for your buck especially in regards to the complications you can get for the price you pay. They are the watch makers watch after all.

Based on your criteria I believe Rolex would be the watch you are looking for.

[HL65]

Welcome to TRF--The Rolex Forum--so--my guess is you will get a lot of the same answers on this forum--Rolex for me!!

[bulldogdaddy]

The JLC's you're looking at are very cool. And JLC is a very legendary brand, though most ordinary folk would have no idea you're wearing a nice watch.

The upside? No dope in a bar is gonna claim he knows you're wearing a fake

[The GMT Master]

The JLC is a really nice looking watch, but for me, there is only one GMT watch, and that is the GMT IIc. It has the heritage, and it looks cutting edge, you can't find many GMTs that are as beautifully clean and as pure of purpose as the Rolex

[zocsos]

Originally Posted by zocsos

Hello Everybody !

I'm new to this forum and wanted to get some expert advice from you on what time piece should I get. My first choice would be Jaeger-LeCoultre's Master compressor Diving GMT and the second would be Rolex's GMT Master II.
I'd like to get a piece that is very reliable, durable/ sturdy , and has a good resale value.

Can someone give me a hand with my decision?

Thanks a million

Z

I'd like to thank everybody who responded to my original thread and gave his/her opinion helping me decide which brand to go with! It was not an easy decision at all since I really like and admire both watch companies.Overall I was really impressed the feel and finish of this particular model.I'd visited an AD in Toronto to refurbish an old timepiece which I'd inherited from my Dad . While she was processing my Dad's watch I was asking a couple of questions about Rolexes. She had no idea that I was interested to purchase one on that day and yet she gave my outstanding customer service! She was very knowledgable/ passionate about the brand . She told me not to rush with my decision on a Rolex purchase and to call her with any future question I might have. Thank you Andrea again for your professionalism and dedication ! Here are some pictures:

Cheers

Zoltan

[slcbbrown]

Congratulations.

[Chipmunk]

Excellent choice.......congrats!

[JUSTROLEXES]

Congrats and I'm glad you picked the GMT

[kareemthedream33]

Sweet GMT

[dddrees]

Excellent Choice, Congrats.

[z32turbo]

Nice choice!

[watchyou]

Nice pick, you made a good choice on the GMTC. Congrats!

[sleddog]

Great choice......Enjoy the new watch!