The Allure Of The Moonphase

[Al1988]

So for the past few months i've been in a split mind as to what direction my collection of watches should take, be it the Rolex Sports road, or towards a dressier type of watch. With that in mind, I've been considering either the 116610LV/DJ2 Blue Stick Dial as my next addition or adding a moonphase on leather to the collection but unfortunately I still can't make up my mind.

Just to give a bit of context, my collection currently consists of:
- 116520 Black Dial Daytona
- 16750 GMT Pepsi matte
- 16610 Sub Date
- Tudor Black Bay
- 214270 Explorer 1 39mm

This is where you guys come in, I need your help in choosing whether or not to continue down the Rolex route or expand my collection with a moonphase. The two moonphase watches I have my eye on are the Glashutte Original Panomatic Lunar XL and the JLC Master Calendar - both beautiful watches and broadly of similar price. Each has its own unique look and I think one of the things that is important to me is the calibre of the movement in each and what those in the know think of each as a watch house.

At the moment, I am swaying more towards the moonphase as having just graduated from university and starting full time work soon, I think the GO or JLC would go beautifully with a suit and be quite discrete in terms of not drawing derogatory opinions from colleagues that may not appreciate a first year graduate wearing a multiple thousand pound watch. To make matters worse, I can't decide which I like more! The GO or JLC.

So what do you guys think? 116610LV? GO? JLC? Or perhaps another SS dress watch that I have not considered?

[Numismatist]

I'm after this one:

[Al1988]

Originally Posted by Numismatist

I'm after this one:

Ahhhh that is a beauty!! Sadly I think I'd have to sell everything I own to even come close to owning one!

I look forward to seeing your first wristshot when you get yours

[p_mcgee]

Tough call, but if you opt for the dresser watch I'd pick the JLC Master Ultra Thin moon over either of those.

[sierra11b]

Originally Posted by p_mcgee

Tough call, but if you opt for the dresser watch I'd pick the JLC Master Ultra Thin moon over either of those.

Same here.

Dara, I went into a GO and JLC AD while on a recent cruise and tried on all three. My expectations was that I would like the JLC Calendar the most...

The JLC MUT Moon is a fantastic watch and you really need to try it on to appreciate what it is as it wears like a dream. The dial "real estate" is visible, beautiful, and appears bigger than 39mm. The date around the moonphase is just classy and balanced imho: http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/2011/5/...thin-moon.html

While I love the JLC calendar I found the lugs a bit too cumbersome in person and you loose some of the dial with the thick bezel compared to the MUT Moon. The GO PanoMaticLunar is a great watch as well and the movement is beautiful to look at, but I feared my tastes would change on the dial as I got older whereas both JLCs are timeless designs.

Plus recent pictures show that the 2012 GO PanoMaticLunar is actually silver/cream colored and not white which means there's a slight contrast to the white date wheel: http://forums.watchuseek.com/f8/when...ic-665542.html I tried on last years model.

You cannot go wrong with any of them! If the MUT doesn't sing to you then I would go with the GO sight unseen. But you will really need to try the Calendar to make that decision!

[Naples09]

Nice options. All of the following is just my opinion!!!

While I love all the options you have stated and the LV is on my short wish list, I would pick the GO. I just love the dial of the GO over everything else and I personally would branch out from Rolex based on your current collection. Nothing wrong with an all Rolex collection, but I like to have one watch with a leather strap.

Between the GO and the JLC, both are great looking watches so its a tough call. However, I think the JLC dial is a bit busy for my tastes. Therefore, I would pick the GO.

Good luck with your decision!

[Al1988]

Originally Posted by p_mcgee

Tough call, but if you opt for the dresser watch I'd pick the JLC Master Ultra Thin moon over either of those.

While a very beautiful watch, it just doesn't sing to me for some reason, I can't put my finger on it. Many thanks for the suggestion though

Originally Posted by Naples09

Nice options. All of the following is just my opinion!!!

While I love all the options you have stated and the LV is on my short wish list, I would pick the GO. I just love the dial of the GO over everything else and I personally would branch out from Rolex based on your current collection. Nothing wrong with an all Rolex collection, but I like to have one watch with a leather strap.

Between the GO and the JLC, both are great looking watches so its a tough call. However, I think the JLC dial is a bit busy for my tastes. Therefore, I would pick the GO.

Good luck with your decision!

Thanks for the reply Jim. I do agree with you about expanding from a Rolex only collection, I would really like to branch out. I am yet to see the JLC in person and I think you are right, the dial is quite busy but without seeing it first hand, I can't decide whether or not that bugs me or not.

I tried on the GO but in the black dial and the dial is just stunning which just makes this harder.....though, great problem to have

[Psmith]

Take a look at Blancpain - moonphase is their speciality

[capote]

This IWC is very nice IMO. Pretty big for a dress watch though.

[HL65]

They are all nice. I have the JLC Duometre QL in WG and RG and can tell you to me they are perfect Moonphase watch in terms of overall beauty, movement and finish. With that said I also love the ALS Moonphase above--beautiful. Happy hunting and again they all are nice and have different personalities. Cheers,

[slavik]

^ love that piece in WG with the black dial!!

[texex91]

I personally like the GO. They have some interesting pieces and priced right.

Found video of it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCSb3wwxXxg

[Al1988]

Originally Posted by capote

This IWC is very nice IMO. Pretty big for a dress watch though.

Daniel, that is indeed a very nice IWC. There's actually an IWC AD near me, I may have to drop in and see if they have one in

Originally Posted by sierra11b

Same here.

Dara, I went into a GO and JLC AD while on a recent cruise and tried on all three. My expectations was that I would like the JLC Calendar the most...

The JLC MUT Moon is a fantastic watch and you really need to try it on to appreciate what it is as it wears like a dream. The dial "real estate" is visible, beautiful, and appears bigger than 39mm. The date around the moonphase is just classy and balanced imho: http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/2011/5/...thin-moon.html

While I love the JLC calendar I found the lugs a bit too cumbersome in person and you loose some of the dial with the thick bezel compared to the MUT Moon. The GO PanoMaticLunar is a great watch as well and the movement is beautiful to look at, but I feared my tastes would change on the dial as I got older whereas both JLCs are timeless designs.

Plus recent pictures show that the 2012 GO PanoMaticLunar is actually silver/cream colored and not white which means there's a slight contrast to the white date wheel: http://forums.watchuseek.com/f8/when...ic-665542.html I tried on last years model.

You cannot go wrong with any of them! If the MUT doesn't sing to you then I would go with the GO sight unseen. But you will really need to try the Calendar to make that decision!

Eric thanks so much for all that info! I think the MUT is one of those watches than I can't fully appreciate until I see it in person. Whilst i do love its simple and classic design, I don't know, there's just something about it that doesn't sing to me, well maybe at least until I see it in person

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

They are all nice. I have the JLC Duometre QL in WG and RG and can tell you to me they are perfect Moonphase watch in terms of overall beauty, movement and finish. With that said I also love the ALS Moonphase above--beautiful. Happy hunting and again they all are nice and have different personalities. Cheers,

Ken.....don't do this to me! Your Duometre are amazing!! If I could afford a precious metal watch I would get that white dial duometre in a heart beat! Maybe in a few years....one to dream about

Originally Posted by texex91

I personally like the GO. They have some interesting pieces and priced right.

Found video of it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCSb3wwxXxg

Thanks for that video Paul, the dial seems more white than beige in it which is a good thing. I'll be honest, I'm leaning more towards the GO at the moment in terms of aesthetics, and it is perhaps JLC's reputation as a watch house that is working in the Master Calendar's favour.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Al1988

Eric thanks so much for all that info! I think the MUT is one of those watches than I can't fully appreciate until I see it in person. Whilst i do love its simple and classic design, I don't know, there's just something about it that doesn't sing to me, well maybe at least until I see it in person



Ken.....don't do this to me! Your Duometre are amazing!! If I could afford a precious metal watch I would get that white dial duometre in a heart beat! Maybe in a few years....one to dream about



Thanks for that video Paul, the dial seems more white than beige in it which is a good thing. I'll be honest, I'm leaning more towards the GO at the moment in terms of aesthetics, and it is perhaps JLC's reputation as a watch house that is working in the Master Calendar's favour.

Thanks Al!!

[Launch Mini]

I've tried on both, and I prefer the GO.
I just found the JLC a bit too cluttered for my tastes, but YMMV

[belk7]

I have been a JLC fan or a long time, and picked up a Master Calendar around two years ago. I love the watch as much now as when I first picked it up. I understand the comments about the dial potentially seeming a little busy, but that is one of the things that really appeals to me personally. Others who gravitate to thin dress watches sometimes find the MC to be thicker than they prefer. There isn't a right or wrong opinion, just different tastes. I find the MC to be just about perfect for me. All of that being said, GO makes fantastic watches and I will likely own one at some time as well. Both brands offer extraordinary movements and have horological tradition in spades. I'm willing to bet that you will be happy either way.

[2th Dr]

Originally Posted by belk7

I have been a JLC fan or a long time, and picked up a Master Calendar around two years ago. I love the watch as much now as when I first picked it up. I understand the comments about the dial potentially seeming a little busy, but that is one of the things that really appeals to me personally. Others who gravitate to thin dress watches sometimes find the MC to be thicker than they prefer. There isn't a right or wrong opinion, just different tastes. I find the MC to be just about perfect for me. All of that being said, GO makes fantastic watches and I will likely own one at some time as well. Both brands offer extraordinary movements and have horological tradition in spades. I'm willing to bet that you will be happy either way.

Right with you pal!

[Java]

Originally Posted by belk7

I have been a JLC fan or a long time, and picked up a Master Calendar around two years ago. I love the watch as much now as when I first picked it up. I understand the comments about the dial potentially seeming a little busy, but that is one of the things that really appeals to me personally. Others who gravitate to thin dress watches sometimes find the MC to be thicker than they prefer. There isn't a right or wrong opinion, just different tastes. I find the MC to be just about perfect for me. All of that being said, GO makes fantastic watches and I will likely own one at some time as well. Both brands offer extraordinary movements and have horological tradition in spades. I'm willing to bet that you will be happy either way.

I agree with you the Master Calendar is a classic

Here's mine

[Al1988]

Originally Posted by Java

I agree with you the Master Calendar is a classic

Here's mine

Well I went into central london yesterday with the intention of trying on both the GO and JLC. First stop was Wempe which unfortunately did not have the Panomatic Lunar XL in the white dial, only in the black dial which really didn't sing to me. Moreover, they said they wouldn't order one in for me unless I bought it which seemed a bit odd to me! On the comical side as I was leaving I left my daytona on the watch tray with all their watches, in the end the salesman ran out after me to give it to me Never in my years did I think it was possible to forget your watch!

Alas, onward to the Jaeger boutique! What an experience! Was served by Ahmed who really is a credit to Jaeger. He was very knowledgeable and great to talk to. Fortunately they had the Master Calendar which I have to say is a beauty, especially on the brown leather band! The unthinkable then happened! He brought out a blue dial duometre!

Oh why oh why did he have to do that, it made the Master Calendar seem so ordinary in comparison! Hehe oh well, after ogling the duometre for a bit I made the decision that I am too impatient to wait for the GO to surface, and realistically that won't happen unless someone I know has one and i know no-one like that lol. So the Master Calendar it is!

Trouble now is deciding whether I should go ahead and buy it from the Jaeger boutique or try and track one down through a grey dealer, each option obviously having its pros and cons. If anyone can recommend any reputable grey dealers in the UK that would be a massive help!

Until then, any wrist shots of the master calendar would be great haha

[Maxtor]

Can't go wrong with the JLC. My friend has one and it is a knockout!

[VICI]

I like the IWC Portuguese perpetual cal w/ moon. White face. Very nice piece as well.

[Elementa]

I love the look of the GO.

[Baco Noir]

I like the contrast of the GO dial / hands better than the JLC silver on silver. Also, the uniqueness of the offset hour/minute dial and seconds dial make it really stand out from the crowd.

[kilyung]

Lovely Langes, GOs, IWCs and JLCs! Some also confuse day/night indicators to a true moonphase that rotates every 29 1/2 days.