Next Watch... IWC or J-lC or ...?

[Spice_Weasel]

I'm just at the point where I am thinking about the next watch I add to my collection and I'd like something from the top-end watch houses but can't seem to make my mind up. Currently have SS Rolex GMT Master (all black bezel), Omega Seamaster Pro Chrono with both bracelet and blue rubber strap, vintage 1969 Breitling Chrono-matic, Fortis B-42 Pilot Pro Chrono, Oris Miles Tonneau Day Date (very Franck Muller in design!) + a load of older stuff from 1920's onwards - mostly British-made (eg BWC) with Swiss movements.

My options (and reasons I like them) are:
- IWC Portugese Chrono: Classic, understated, chronograph, sense of occasion, size (though at 41mm smaller than the others below but the lack of bezel gives the illusion it's bigger than it is)
http://www.watches.co.uk/watch.php?wid=5718S
- Jaeger leCoultre Reverso Grand Date: Classic, power reserver indicator, understated (sort of), sense of occasion
http://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/eu/en/watches/reve...
- Jaeger leCoultre Squadra: New design, size, sense of occasion
http://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/eu/en/watches/reve...
- Chopard Mille Miglia Chrono XL: chronograph, relative rarity (I don't see that many around), size
http://www.tagwatchesdirect.co.uk/chopard_mens_wat...

Regardless of choice, I'll be going for steel with a leather strap.

I know it's not a straight-forward like-for-like comparison (2 chronographs in there etc) but what's the view on IWC vs J-lC? Would the Chopard be too fragile (as I have heard)?

Ideally, I'd have them all

Thanks
Weasel

[Chabsy]

I like the Chopard, what are you going to do while wearing it, breaking rocks with a sledge hammer? But the Chopard wont hold its value as well as the IWC, not keen on the JLCs but I dont like the Reverso, whats wrong with the Master range

If you stuck a gun to my head i'd take the IWC

[sparkyhx]

I like the all those particularly the chopard, but the JLC is in a different class than the other two with its history and in house movements.

I'm sure you'd be happy with any of them -

Just one thing they are very different shapes and sizes so make sure you see them all in the flesh. The portugese looks big (too big for some), the JLC small (too small for me) in comparison Chopard is in betweeny.

If your used to what you say you may prefer the smaller ones.

Edited by sparkyhx on Monday 5th November 20:36

[Spice_Weasel]

As Jl-C use in-house movements, this is swinging it for me at the mo. IWC use base ETA movement that they customise. The movement in the Portugese is a base ETA 7750, the same as in my Fortis.

In terms of size, you can't say that the GMT or Omega SMP are small watches (at 40mm and 41mm respectively) but with the trend now for larger watches (42/44mm) they do look a bit small. My Fortis, at 42mm wide (excluding the oversize crown) and 16mm tall, dwarfs them both.

Given that a mate and I tried each other's SMPs on, my full size looked too big on his wrist and his mid-size just looked silly on mine, I'm happy with a bigger watch.

[tertius]

Of those I would probably choose the JLC Reverso (classic size).

Though personally I would go for the Duo - if you are going to buy a Reverso I feel it really ought to be the two dial version ...

The Squadra I feel is too big and don't like its brashness.

The IWC is very nice, but, for me, 7750 based watches are too big and thick.

I love the look of the Mille Miglia but cannot stand the cyclops, that would be a deal breaker for me.

[jamieboy]

If you like the Squadra, have you looked at a Zenith Grande Port Royal? I tried the two of them back-to-back, and much preferred the look of the Zenith (which was the Open, might not be to your taste).

[Spice_Weasel]

Know what you mean about the Chopard MM and I can't help but think the dial is a bit busy. I'm counting that one out now.

Having just looked at the Zenith I feel it's a nice alternative to the Squadra.

[x5x3]

I have a Chopard MM GT XL which I am really happy with, nice big clear face and I am also a fan of the rubber strap. So far it has been faultless and tough, although I do not wear it out on the mountain bike, playing football with the kids or for swimming (I use the Rolex Sea-Dweller for those occasions which really does seem to be bullet-proof!).

[markomah]

The Chopard is a little bit too 'bling' for me and I'm not mad on the Squadra.

If it was me, I'd be debating the classic Reverso and the IWC. I know how the debate would turn out; I treated myself to a Portuguese automatic 7-day reserve a few months ago and I'm thrilled with it.





It also has an in-house movement, if that's a factor for you.

Best of luck with the choice; it's a nice dilemma to have!!

M

Edited by markomah on Tuesday 6th November 19:27

[Gordon Brown]

Visist the JLC web site and see how they are made: then buy one.

[Spice_Weasel]

Portugese is just lovely. Seems the prudent step is to check out the JLC website further...

[dealmaker]

I'd be going for this mmmmmm!!!.... :




http://www.watches.co.uk/watch.php?wid=0412P

[Spice_Weasel]

That's just a little bit more than I wanted to spend...

[Jase k]

The chopards are great watches (in my opinion) nearly bought the mm with a stainless strap, but tried a lot of variations on inc the rubber strapped watch! they seemed well made and plenty sturdy enough for my purposes but in the end i bought a 50th anniv rolex sub due to holding its value fairly well(and i liked it the most). Would by the chopard though as rolex is not on your choices and there does not seem to be that many of them on the streets at the mo!!

[sparkyhx]

http://www.watches.co.uk/watch.php?wid=5780S

I love the idea of the JLC Mastercompressor Memovox

how cool is a ticker alarm?

Thats where my money would go ATM

Edited by sparkyhx on Wednesday 7th November 23:00

Edited by sparkyhx on Wednesday 7th November 23:02

[vst]

JLC Master 8 day is a fine watch, 41.5mm case, nice deployment buckle, really classy looking piece, would get my vote over the Reverso. IWC you cant go wrong with either, its a classic, especially Automatic with black dial.

Also worth a look might be the JLC Amvox range?

Tom

[JRM]

markomah said:

The Chopard is a little bit too 'bling' for me and I'm not mad on the Squadra.

If it was me, I'd be debating the classic Reverso and the IWC. I know how the debate would turn out; I treated myself to a Portuguese automatic 7-day reserve a few months ago and I'm thrilled with it.





It also has an in-house movement, if that's a factor for you.

Best of luck with the choice; it's a nice dilemma to have!!

M

Edited by markomah on Tuesday 6th November 19:27

Yep I'm with you, IWC every time