I owned this watch and really liked it. The only qualms I had with it are the black strap (not a fan of black straps) and it's not the most legible watch. The color is pretty monotone and it always took me a few extra seconds to read the time.

But otherwise it's very nice and fits very modestly for a chrono.

 

It feels like a hell of a lot of watch compared to what £6k gets you these days, is there something I am missing??

JLCs tend to have a good discount. Though its the rare opinion here, my view of JLC is that it is lacking a cohesive design language and thus suffers with the masses, which lest we forget are 99% of the watch buying market, not us. I've seen ADs admit this and I was surprised when Jenni Elle actually dared say so too. That's why I feel they tend to be discounted. They don't really stand out compared to the other watches at the AD. That's what you're missing. Otherwise it's a technically very well done watch and movement, but it's lacking in what separates visually from many other 3/6/9 4.5 o'clock chronos.

And before anyone wants to say I'm a hater, I suspect my 4 JLC watches and 2 JLC clocks are more than you have.

 

Nothing wrong with any JLC as far as I'm concerned. When you say, "is there something that I'm missing?" are you asking specifically about this JLC model, or about similarly-priced chronographs of equal quality made by other manufacturers?

 

I suppose it feels like it's a lot of watch for the money - a great manufacturer who are widely revered and held in the highest esteem making an attractive chronograph you can pick up for £6k. £6k seems to get you not much these days, perhaps a Chronograph from a more "high street" type manufacturer rather than someone with JLC's pedigree.

Not sure how tied you are to 40mm but a Zenith El Primero never hurt anyone's collection.

I thought I'd settled on a Zenith until I saw this haha! Off to try it on today, having had a day of trying on Zenith's last Friday

This is a great watch. The calendar Chronograph is an amazing watch.

The calendar Chronograph is epic! Bit pricier than I'd like to spend but admittedly it feels like you get a lot for your money. Hoping to see one today too at the JLC boutique in London if they have one in!

 

Not sure how tied you are to 40mm but a Zenith El Primero never hurt anyone's collection.

 

This is a great watch. The calendar Chronograph is an amazing watch.

 

Beautiful watches... until you need service. Their service(in my experience) is horrid.

Typos courtesy of Samsung Auto-Incorrect[emoji769]

 

Beautiful watches... until you need service. Their service(in my experience) is horrid.

Typos courtesy of Samsung Auto-Incorrect[emoji769]

Interesting comment. I have no experience with their service but contributors to the JLC forum generally (with some exceptions, of course) praise the company's service.

 

Agree with Groucho. They are very sweet, but not cheap by any means when they need a service.

 

I went and tried on this watch today, and really liked it. Very strong contender.

Unfortunately I had immediately before it tried on the new Master Chronograph Calendar at the JLC boutique, which I LOVED.

Great experience at the boutique, will get some pics uploaded when I can.

Wow, some serious thinking to do

 

Both are beautiful watches. At the end of July, I bought my first watch (other than an Apple Watch) in 30 years! It was the Master Control Chronograph Calendar. I must admit I got a bit of "cold feet" when it came time to purchase. But I love it. And given the workmanship and the complications, for a watch of that quality, the price is actually reasonable. Although much of this is subjective, your reaction to the MCCC was good positive reinforcement for me. Were you able to try one with the bracelet? I have the bracelet, the brown calf skin strap and the blue alligator strap. Each gives the watch a somewhat different personality.

 

That’s a fair old price difference but you should always aim for the watch that you want rather than settle for the one you can afford.

 

@Markg86 That's interesting that the price went up in England. Prices on some JLCs are supposed to increase in the US today but so far, have not. I also was told some might decrease in price in the US. As of now, The MCCC with metal bracelet and brown leather strap sells for $17,300 in the US, which is the same price it has been since June.

The MCC is a beautiful watch. I looked at photos of it several times before getting the MCCC. I do love the ability to easily change straps on the MCCC, which I just did this morning. The straps not only change the overall look of the watch but to me also change how distinct markings on the dial are. For example, to my eyes, which are not great, the blue strap pops the dial a bit more than the bracelet. Regardless, each is a different look and does, to some extent, gives you a different watch on your wrist.

I think the JLC line offers a range of types of watches, quality and price that are not easily matched. I looked at a few VC watches but the price jump over comparable JLC watches was too much. For me, JLC hits the sweet spot. Do I see other watches I like? Absolutely. But as I look around for a hoped-for purchase in 2023, I keep coming back to JLC.

Coincidentally, one of the watches you post a photo of is in the line I want - Polaris. I tried on the Polaris Chronograph and loved it . . . except I want a watch on which something moves. If the hour counter on the Polaris Chronograph had been a small minute hand, I might have purchased that. Right now, I am eyeing the Mariner Date, depending on how it feels on the wrist, or perhaps a plain date model. I expect a new Polaris will be out in the next month or two. So you never know.

Edit: If you are looking on the grey market, make sure they have it. In the US, I think the MCCC bracelet version is boutique only.

 

For day-to-day (every day) use, the beautiful MoonPhase version is too busy and distracting. I prefer the silver dial with a date only, and prefer having a 12-hour sub dial.
The only other brand that comes to mind (above Rolex/Omega, short of Patek/AP/V&C) is the German brand Glashutte Original.

 

Just to close this one out, having slept on it the Master Chronograph Calendar is calling me too strongly to say no.

The Chronograph is a beautiful watch, but I like the versatility of bracelet interchangeable with leather (and perhaps rubber) on the new MCCC. It really makes it feel like 2/3 watches in one.

For context I've been toying with adding a light dial/chronograph watch for 4-5 months and have tried on all sorts thinking "this could be the one".

Everything I have tried has been lovely, but there just hasn't quite been something right with it.

I've looked at DJ41, Rolex Sky Dweller white dial, Cartier Santos, VC Overseas, Zenith Chronomaster Open, Zenith Chronomaster Sport, Omega Grey Side of the Moon, Ceramic Daytona etc etc (sure I have missed some) and this JLC MCCC is the one that involves zero compromise, and I really want.

So outcome is hitting pause until end of year, adding to the budget and picking this up in December.

Thanks for the insights on this thread, and will post an incoming soon I am sure 🙌

 

Excellent plan. But in this hobby, three months to December from now, you will have second-guesses, urges to buy, changes to the plan, and a host of other distractions. However things turn out, I hope it goes as you please, even if today's plan changes tomorrow!

 

The chronograph calendar is likely one of my top choice of watches overall. A similar looking Breitling Datora is a few thousand dollars cheaper, but much thicker at 16mm if my memory serves me right.

 

I always respected JLC as a brand until I had multiple negative customer service experiences. Because of that, I won't be ever buying one. If you've been around watches long enough, you'll read similar stories about CS, treatment of customers, or the treatment your watch may or may not receive while being serviced. While it is true you could say all of this about any brand really, from my own personal experiences JLC is one brand where I can firmly say I have experienced poor CS more than once. Shocking considering I was trying to buy a custom watch from them, which ordinarily start at $50k~.

IMHO, I don't think JLC is the brand it once was. Big surprise it is part of the Richemont gang who have also turned IWC and Panerai into absolute shells.