My Choice in Modern Horology

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matt.wu
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My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by matt.wu » Sat Oct 11, 2014 2:23 am

New one arrived for me today. I love it. :love:

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Often, watchmaking is viewed as an old-school art, and it is the traditions and history that are emphasized exclusively. But truthfully, watches made with modern advancements in movement technology are just as important for the longevity of the industry. JLC is helping to push that envelope.

Yeah, it's a big watch. But it's not big to be flashy. This thing is chock-full of very unique complications. I love seeing something like this introduced, and JLC is really the company to be able to do it. And to me, this is what I love about a so-called "in-house movement". It's the innovation, the expertise, the pure demonstration of ability that I respect in a watchmaking brand, and an in-house movement is only valuable to me if it is one of quality and in-house design.

I think it's good for the watch industry when brands continue to do serious innovation. Re-releases and tributes are great, but this is the stuff that is at the heart of what we admire of horology. Looking forward and creating, rather than focusing only on successes of the past (though ironically, this watch line is introduced as an homage to the concept of the Geophysic, an old JLC watch).

Here's a rundown of the complications, both related to movement and case/strap:
- Ceramic crown with integrated pushbutton to select three functions via column wheel: 1) winding; 2) setting of date and second time zone; 3) setting the time
- Radial power reserve
- Chronograph with digital minute counter
- GMT w/ 24-hr indicator
- Sliding switch to hack seconds
- Quick-release strap mechanism
- Micro-adjustment built into buckle for fine adjustments
- Case components: 143
- Movement components: 569

On top of all this, JLC offers it to their customers at a (very much relatively) reasonable price. It's likely that a similarly complicated/innovative watch from Richard Mille would likely cost well over half a million. One watch-blogger made the following analogy of the EL2:
http://blog.thewatchenthusiast.com/archives/1112 wrote:Did you know that every time Bugatti sells a “Veyron” it costs the Volkswagen group 900,000 € (roughly 1,200,000$)? Yes, you pay 1,800,000€ for a Veyron and Volkswagen pays 900,000€ for you to have it. The company explains that this cost is an investment in technology for many new patents and developments that occur when making/developing the Bugatti Veyron. In the end much of what is learned and discovered with each Veyron inevitably trickles down to lower end models inside the group. If you think that could not apply to watches… Well, say hello to the watch equivalent of the Bugatti Veyron; Jaeger LeCoultre’s “Extreme LAB 2″!

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that just like the Bugatti, everytime Jaeger LeCoultre sells an Extreme LAB 2 it cost them money. Note that all of these are personal opinions and conjectures. Until I get my hands on somebody at the manufactory (probably very soon) and squeeze them “real tight” I will never know for a fact.
I absolutely love everything about this. The classics are great, but the quirky, cutting-edge, modern stuff adds the intellectual appeal to the emotional appeal that watches usually draw. I'm happy to be able to give this one a try - I've been eyeballing it since it's announcement.

A few pics. None are great for showcasing the level of refinement in such a modern watch, but I'll continue to try to capture better shots. Thanks for letting me share, buds. :cheers:

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:htfu:

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demer03
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Re: My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by demer03 » Sat Oct 11, 2014 2:38 am

That's insanely cool. I bet it's wild in person.

Very cool, Matt
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Terpits
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Re: My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by Terpits » Sat Oct 11, 2014 3:38 am

Certainly is interesting.
Congrats yo
:rimshot:

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jimyritz
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Re: My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by jimyritz » Sat Oct 11, 2014 3:46 am

The buckle is even cool---Awesome--congrats Matt...

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GGD
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Re: My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by GGD » Sat Oct 11, 2014 4:01 am

That's beautiful Matt! Congratulations & enjoy :thumbsup:

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Erratic101
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Re: My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by Erratic101 » Sat Oct 11, 2014 4:02 am

Damn. That thing is amazing. The controls for the complications are just awesome. It certainly would be something to see in person. Congrats Matt!!

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Pasquale
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Re: My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by Pasquale » Sat Oct 11, 2014 4:05 am

Wow. Love the round shaped dial to the rectangular shaped caseback.
I'd rock that all day, congrats.
Pasquale

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hoppyjr
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My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by hoppyjr » Sat Oct 11, 2014 4:41 am

Absolutely beautiful.

Would look better with jeggings and a nert.

aztecknight
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Re: My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by aztecknight » Sat Oct 11, 2014 5:10 am

Damn that is gorgeous. You bringing it to Austin right?

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JP Chestnut
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Re: My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by JP Chestnut » Sat Oct 11, 2014 5:24 am

Tend not to like this style of watch, but this one is more tasteful than most.

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jswing
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Re: My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by jswing » Sat Oct 11, 2014 5:32 am

That's beautiful. I especially like the crown side view, just an amazing case. Congrats man, that'll be fun. :cheers:

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4pfrench
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Re: My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by 4pfrench » Sat Oct 11, 2014 5:33 am

Incredible.
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rockmastermike
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Re: My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by rockmastermike » Sat Oct 11, 2014 5:36 am

Far out and outta sight, Matt. A powerhouse piece of kit all the way around.

you should do a video walk thru of all the features!

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Joe C
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Re: My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by Joe C » Sat Oct 11, 2014 5:46 am

Love everything about it.... Enjoy it Matt.
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hobbit712
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Re: My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by hobbit712 » Sat Oct 11, 2014 5:48 am

:thumbsup: Nice! I'm guessing it looks a lot better in person. Pics prob just dont do it justice.
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Heuerville
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Re: My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by Heuerville » Sat Oct 11, 2014 5:57 am

That is pretty damn cool :fro:

Love the 'digital' counter.. in fact, love all the complications :cheers:
How big is it, just out of curiosity?
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snootydog
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Re: My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by snootydog » Sat Oct 11, 2014 6:35 am

I like that one a lot Matt :thumbsup: I think if it were mine I would find myself walking into walls or worse still driving off the road. Not because it's a bit too busy for my taste but because of all the interesting things to keep looking at :thumbsup:
Andy :uj:
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YOHOHO
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Re: My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by YOHOHO » Sat Oct 11, 2014 6:40 am

Big congrats! I handled one in the past and could stare at it for days.

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Re: My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by moishlashen » Sat Oct 11, 2014 6:52 am

That's above top shelf. Love it.
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greenlightning
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Re: My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by greenlightning » Sat Oct 11, 2014 7:16 am

Absolutely incredible. Would love to check it out in person. I've always appreciated how jlc keeps making the classics like reverso and memovex while continuing to try new things with both design and technology. Great write up, too master.

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dshap
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Re: My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by dshap » Sat Oct 11, 2014 7:18 am

One of the Red Bar ballers brought his to the bar years ago, and it's still the most impressive watch I've ever laid hands on.

I'm a bit jealous :cussing:
-David

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Re: My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by JBZ » Sat Oct 11, 2014 7:34 am

Very cool. Thanks for sharing, Matt.
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bpax
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Re: My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by bpax » Sat Oct 11, 2014 7:53 am

Outstanding, Matt. Unbelievably cool!

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dukerules
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Re: My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by dukerules » Sat Oct 11, 2014 7:55 am

Incredibly cool. One of the giants of the movement game really flexing its technical muscle.
Last edited by dukerules on Sat Oct 11, 2014 7:59 am, edited 1 time in total.

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kfalk
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Re: My Choice in Modern Horology

Post by kfalk » Sat Oct 11, 2014 7:57 am

Can't fathom the talent it takes to coordinate all those parts. Impressive doesn't cover it.

Congrats on that little marvel.
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