Say what you want about actual experience vs. vicarious ones. They’re getting to go through the motions, without expending the funds or energies to do/see/buy in person.
For someone with limited means, this is a great thrill.
My friend Matt splits his professional life between Tampa and Zurich, so it should come as no surprise that we began discussing swiss watches, entirely via iMessage.
“I’m thinking about buying a watch”
“Awesome! Cartier, Tag Heuer, Rolex?”
“No no no! How common! I need something tasteful, for the discerning gentleman.”
So we talked about IWC. Months passed. I didn’t believe he’d actually follow through.
The only place for me to browse virtually is Tourneau, so my ability to recommend is somewhat limited. Also limited is the overall watch inventory. Most special pieces are made a couple hundred times, and then gone. Forever.
Matt sent me a video about the Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic a week ago, and said he was ready to pull the trigger.
And he was.
It’s a beautiful watch. We agreed that it checked all the right boxes for a fine Swiss timepiece: niche brand. All components made in-house. Simple face, almost retro, with a legacy.
The Geophysic was originally designed in 1958, almost 60 years ago, for an international scientific pursuit. Highly precise and self-winding, the instrument was praised for its ruggedness and reliability.
Matt chose the stainless steel version, with a white face and black alligator strap. As with any major, staple purchase, simple elegance will guarantee a satisfying lifetime of wearing, and in this case, timekeeping.
All I can say is, I hope to one day enjoy the perks of putting down the serious wire transfer for a watch like this.
I am partial to rectangular-faced watches. JLC makes the iconic Reverso, which I could see on my wrist.
Congrats to Matt on the new purchase!
2 comments
Excellent choice! Congrats to Matt. He didn’t have to preorder and wait list? May I ask how much it cost over there?
No on the preorder (so far as I know) and I believe the final tally minus VAT was $8,800.