[ergezen1]

I purchased JeanRichard Aquascope lately at a price $745. It looks like a big discount, but you know JeanRichard, they are all in discount.
JeanRichard has a good build quality and finishing what I read from reviews.
It has a decent lume and a sellita movement inside.
My cons are higher service costs and high discount on the brand so may be lower resale value.

There are several divers in the market. Christopher Ward C60, Alpina Seastrong, etc.
I wonder your opinion whether it does worth to spend this amount on JeanRichard Aquascope. Or are there any better choices?

 

[MrDagon007]

A friend had one and loved its construction quality (he actually opened his). I saw them at Ashford and they did look very nice.
The only negative is that the brand doesn't exist anymore, that is the root cause of the big discount, and may make finding case bits more difficult later on. The movement is generic and standard to service.

 

[morewatchesthanmoney]

It's a new brand to me, but, in doing a bit of looking around about it, I'd say, for sure without the discounts they seem priced fairly high versus similar watches with good movements, good lume, sapphire, etc., from a variety of brands that also do divers, but I like what JeanRichard is doing with the styling. Seems creative and beyond what the usual brands are doing, even though JR is charging more for what they do.

My bias is pretty strong toward Christopher Ward, since I own a few and can vouch for their quality, so I'd say a C60 for example is pretty worth it, but it's in that same range of $800 or so, for the 600m autos, and, while the styling is classic, it's not as innovative as JR, perhaps, so that depends on taste, of course. But, again, looking at other brands, I have gotten great auto divers with very impressive specs for less, through Certina, and Deep Blue and I know many brands exist that have decent divers for not a lot of money.

I went with the C60 Pro 300's, quartz, because that was "enough" diver for the price, for what I wanted, although I did save up and get the Pro 600 Chrono, because I was in love with it. At closer to two grand, it was a big investment, for me, but I have always wanted a top notch diver and it filled the bill, and certainly stacks up against "big" brands for far, far less cost, so I was happy and it's gorgeous.

But, for far less, consider my Deep Blue, for example, the Pro Aqua 1500, terrific lume, helium release valve, good to 1500m and an auto, a really outstanding piece and I think I paid $500, although they are on eBay for less than that now, between three and four hundred, brand new.

At day's end, it's a personal decision of course, so, I'd agree with your overall view, and I'd say there are other options for less cost in a quality diver, that likely would also sell with less loss, should you decide to sell it.

Still like the JR designs though, but not at the MSRP's they are asking.

 

[OvrSteer]

As noted, the main question with Jean Richard is whether or not you like their particular design. All signs point to their watches being absolutely excellent quality with lots of subtle details and multi-part case designs, but they're selling cheaply because they're getting squeezed in the mid-market. From what I've seen, they're not doing well, but they're not out of business either so I'd be curious to see news otherwise. They're clearly selling off stuff that isn't selling, so you have fewer choices/less mainstream choices.

But they do make amazing stuff...

The main problem with their watches is this: They use a non-standard 25mm lug width. You're stuck using their straps, having custom made stuff or using 26mm straps (which are already rare) and squeezing them in. If you buy one, I'd have a strong bias to buy on bracelet so that you always have the bracelet (since it should last the life of the watch vs. straps that only last a few years.)

I would look at the competition. The Alpina Seastrong is the obvious aesthetic choice to look at first, but Chris Ward's stuff is excellent, and in the same segment I'd also be looking at the Oris Aquis (maybe used to get one in your price range), possibly the Oris 65 in 42mm and the Mido Ocean Star. I wouldn't count out the automatic versions of the Victorinox Maverick either. I'd also keep an eye on pricing on the Rado Captain Cook 45mm and maybe the other Rado divers if those appeal to you. The Captain Cook just launched, so people are paying full price now, but it should be hitting the used/gray market eventually.

 

[Synequano]

Personally I like Seiko better in this price range...maybe a basic Tuna even though it has no sapphire crystal....yes JR might have better case design but I find it wears a bit clunky (I forgot the diameter on the one I tried though) on my wrist in comparison to Panerai (which looks about the same with thicker cushion case and round dial)

Can't say about Alpina or CWard as I've never tried them on...

 

[Sean779]

The main problem with their watches is this: They use a non-standard 25mm lug width. You're stuck using their straps, having custom made stuff or using 26mm straps (which are already rare) and squeezing them in. If you buy one, I'd have a strong bias to buy on bracelet so that you always have the bracelet (since it should last the life of the watch vs. straps that only last a few years.

Good thing that like their case designs, their straps w/ deployant are first rate. Many of JRs are on a wonderful rubber strap--most comfortable watch I've worn and easy to slip into--and should last about as long as the bracelet. I'd be reluctant to buy a JR with a leather strap for reasons you say.

 

[Sean779]

moot point, JR Aquascope (of course) wears only rubber or steel.

 

[MrDagon007]

As noted, the main question with Jean Richard is whether or not you like their particular design. All signs point to their watches being absolutely excellent quality with lots of subtle details and multi-part case designs, but they're selling cheaply because they're getting squeezed in the mid-market. From what I've seen, they're not doing well, but they're not out of business either so I'd be curious to see news otherwise. They're clearly selling off stuff that isn't selling, so you have fewer choices/less mainstream choices.

What I did read somewhere is that JeanRichard was the mid-priced brand of Girard-Perregaux and that the brand was stopped. Sorry i don t have a link ready.

Edit: I found it back. Look at the comments below:
http://www.watch-insider.com/reportages/sihh-2017-interview-with-antonio-calce-ceo-girard-perregaux/

In fact it was me who had asked the swiss watch journalist.

 

[ChronoTraveler]

Can't talk about the JR, but I have the Alpina Seastrong and it's a superb piece: hefty case, great finish, crystal clear AR coating, smooth hand-winding action. The case is sort of similar to Aquascope, with a few differences: some curves on the sides and the crown has rubber on the grip area and a crystal with the brand symbol (red triangle).

It's 44mm, but wears reasonably smaller due to short lugs and the black version pairs well with tons of straps.

I'm wearing mine today.

 

[ergezen1]

It's not good news for JeanRichard.
In this case It's better let my watch go

What I did read somewhere is that JeanRichard was the mid-priced brand of Girard-Perregaux and that the brand was stopped. Sorry i don t have a link ready.

Edit: I found it back. Look at the comments below:
#SIHH 2017: Interview with Antonio Calce, CEO Girard-Perregaux - Watch-Insider.com

In fact it was me who had asked the swiss watch journalist.

 

[ergezen1]

I cancelled my order of JeanRichard Aquascope. It was a nice piece. But in the long run I do not see the benefit

By the way I purchased Alpina Extreme Diver 1000m with a good discount. They are not similar but it was good deal.

 

[mike70sk]

I cancelled my order of JeanRichard Aquascope. It was a nice piece. But in the long run I do not see the benefit

By the way I purchased Alpina Extreme Diver 1000m with a good discount. They are not similar but it was good deal.

View attachment 12455249 View attachment 12455251

Pre-owned Oris Aquis. JR "discount" reminds me of the Invicta pricing

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

 

[ergezen1]

Definitely I will get Oris Aquis and/or Oris 65. If you see any please let me know

Pre-owned Oris Aquis. JR "discount" reminds me of the Invicta pricing

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

 

[MrDagon007]

It's not good news for JeanRichard.
In this case It's better let my watch go

Well you can just enjoy it.

 

[Synequano]

Since the brand no longer exist,will the pricing go the way pre-V Pams going?? Unitas movt and SS case with mismatched lume between the hands and dial yet going for more than $20k...at least JR's case are still better finished than pre-Vs