JLC Reliability

[CRB14]

I'll be buying a wedding watch this year and looking for something a bit more classic and a little more dressy so some of the JLC Master watches appeal. The Master Chrono particularly although I'm going to look at the Calendar, MUT Moon and RDM. I want this to be a lifetime watch but slightly concerned about general reliability, especially after reading one of the PH horror stories with a master Chrono. The watch will be more of an occasional one than a daily wearer.

What's the consensus? Am I barking up the wrong tree with any of the above?

[Number 7]

Mrs Number 7 and I have owned 3 between us for a few years, including a master Compressor Chrono,(all bought new) and although they are special occasion watches, rather than daily wearers, we've never had any problems.

[Mart-1]

I have a Memovox deep sea tribute, Memovox, and an Amvox

They 'feel' a little brittle compared to Omegas and a Panerai I own, and therefore spend too much time unworn in the safe

Lovely watches, with wonderful attention to detail and complications, and have not given me any trouble, but that may partly be due to lack of use

[mikeveal]

I read that horror story too. The master chrono might be a bit frail, but the others all seem fine.

Have a scan on ebay for people selling broken JLCs and see how many you find. Now compare with the number of vintage pieces being sold... Should give you an idea of (at least historic) build quality.

[poocherama]

mikeveal said:

I read that horror story too. The master chrono might be a bit frail, but the others all seem fine.

Have a scan on ebay for people selling broken JLCs and see how many you find. Now compare with the number of vintage pieces being sold... Should give you an idea of (at least historic) build quality.

That's my horror story!

The JLC is certainly more frail than my other watches. I bought a Daytona soon after the JLC was repaired and it feels bomb proof in comparison. Infact my vintage watches feel more robust! Having said that the JLC MC is a stunner. Compare it to a similar PP and it looks like a total bargain. No problems with it since but I now rarely wear it.

P

[CRB14]

poocherama said:

That's my horror story!

The JLC is certainly more frail than my other watches. I bought a Daytona soon after the JLC was repaired and it feels bomb proof in comparison. Infact my vintage watches feel more robust! Having said that the JLC MC is a stunner. Compare it to a similar PP and it looks like a total bargain. No problems with it since but I now rarely wear it.

P

It was indeed and I also read your WUS thread too.

They are indeed stunning and I've just had the pleasure of handling a black faced Aston Martin version. The Moon, although nice, was much more subtle and possibly a bit too plain.