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Blancpain vs JLC Your Opinions Solicited
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Dogmann
·Hi all,
I really like some Blancpain models and nearly bought the calendar version @AnotherDon has posted but I just couldn't get past the engraved Blancpain on the non crown side of the watch and so many of the other models so ended up going for something else instead. But if that doesn't bother you they are really well made stylish watches with a great history and great in house movements and are fairly priced in the pre owned market IMO. I also like a lot of JLC's but not all of them and they also seem to offer similar deals pre owned to at the end of the day as many have said if you buy what you like you can't really go wrong.
Marc
I really like some Blancpain models and nearly bought the calendar version @AnotherDon has posted but I just couldn't get past the engraved Blancpain on the non crown side of the watch and so many of the other models so ended up going for something else instead. But if that doesn't bother you they are really well made stylish watches with a great history and great in house movements and are fairly priced in the pre owned market IMO. I also like a lot of JLC's but not all of them and they also seem to offer similar deals pre owned to at the end of the day as many have said if you buy what you like you can't really go wrong.
Marc
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mdgrwl
·Blancpain contributed to the watch world greatly with the first diver.
JLC contributes as a hallmark watchmaker throughout their history - a watchmakers watchmaker if you will.
Of the two brands I esteem JLC a bit more and like their selection more as well. Blancpain is cool, but the only line I'm drawn to is the FF.
JLC contributes as a hallmark watchmaker throughout their history - a watchmakers watchmaker if you will.
Of the two brands I esteem JLC a bit more and like their selection more as well. Blancpain is cool, but the only line I'm drawn to is the FF.
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Andy K
·JLC has a well-earned reputation for a broad range of high-quality movements with a wide variety of complications. Their dress watches have a classic, understated simplicity. But their modern sports watches (some compressor, most Amvox, and all the Navy Seals) are decidedly NOT understated.
Blancpain is the first brand JC Biver rescued from the brink. Their history is less consistent than JLC, but their product is now catching up to the competition from what I can see, though I have never owned one. I love the Villeret line - the dials are stunners. Someday I'll have one...
Pics taken from this TZ thread.
Blancpain is the first brand JC Biver rescued from the brink. Their history is less consistent than JLC, but their product is now catching up to the competition from what I can see, though I have never owned one. I love the Villeret line - the dials are stunners. Someday I'll have one...
Pics taken from this TZ thread.
Edited:
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerBoth brands offer something IMO. I used to own this Leman big date...100 hour power reserve and it was for a long time the most accurate watch I owned. Sold it a few years ago as it wasn't getting any wrist time.
The Villeret line is certainly more dressy than the Leman line is, and both have very nice options. I could never warm to the L-Evolution line though. If they made the current Fifty Fathoms a bit smaller, I would probably own one.
If I had to pick a maker as my favourite (hard to do) leaving aside the independents, it would have to be JLC. Used to own the Master Moon:
Great watch, but again sold it. I still have my Master Compressor Memovox though:
Great watch, and I'll be hanging on to this one. Some have mentioned GO, and yes I'm a fan of those as well, and have the first gen PanoReserve:
Again it's a keeper, and GO certainly makes a good number of watches that I would like to own. OP the large companies they would likely be a solid second (and depending on my mood maybe slip into #1 place) as my favourite large brands owned by conglomerates.
I kinda always wanted the Panomatic Chrono...it was very different from anything else out there at the time it was introduced:
Cheers, Al
The Villeret line is certainly more dressy than the Leman line is, and both have very nice options. I could never warm to the L-Evolution line though. If they made the current Fifty Fathoms a bit smaller, I would probably own one.
If I had to pick a maker as my favourite (hard to do) leaving aside the independents, it would have to be JLC. Used to own the Master Moon:
Great watch, but again sold it. I still have my Master Compressor Memovox though:
Great watch, and I'll be hanging on to this one. Some have mentioned GO, and yes I'm a fan of those as well, and have the first gen PanoReserve:
Again it's a keeper, and GO certainly makes a good number of watches that I would like to own. OP the large companies they would likely be a solid second (and depending on my mood maybe slip into #1 place) as my favourite large brands owned by conglomerates.
I kinda always wanted the Panomatic Chrono...it was very different from anything else out there at the time it was introduced:
Cheers, Al
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omega man
·Thanks for the in put.
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ncstate1201
·I happen to be a fan of both...I have owned the JLC mk XI a classic milwatch, a JLC amvox in titanium, and a Blancpain fifty fathoms trilogy GMT on the x71 bracelet. I can speak for JLC bracelets, I loved both of my previous JLCs, but the Blancpain x71 bracelet seems to be of high quality and j have enjoyed it thus far
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jcs2000
·JLC probably exceeds Blancpain in terms of number and quantity of models produced..
But Blancpain now has essentially absorbed all Frederic piguet movements which means they have some watches with very reliable calibres and interesting sets of complication.
But Blancpain now has essentially absorbed all Frederic piguet movements which means they have some watches with very reliable calibres and interesting sets of complication.
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ncstate1201
·Depends on if you are comparing complexity or finish in my book. I think finish may be in the same ballpark...although I was not impressed with the finish on the amvox, but that model is not near their highest level
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerJLC exceeds Blancplain. I would not consider these brands entirely in same category as the range of models JLC offers in term horological complexity in much greater.
Depends on if you are comparing complexity or finish in my book. I think finish may be in the same ballpark...although I was not impressed with the finish on the amvox, but that model is not near their highest level
Both brands have to be sort of broken into 2 categories. The regular production watches, and their very high end watches. I've been through both factories and the high end watches are a separate production from the lower end stuff - at JLC the high end work is done in the small farmhouse adjacent to the main factory. That's where I shot this Gyrotourbillon video...
At the very high end, I think it's a wash. Complications from Blancpain? Yes they certainly make complicated watches, like this one...at the time this was the most expensive watch I'd ever held I think...
This display at the factory shows all the individual parts in that watch...
Lots of parts...
At the low end, in my experience BP's movement finishing exceeds that of JLC. Neither are really top end at the lower levels though.
Cheers, Al
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omega man
·Excellent photos. Kudos! I should explain I have a JLC Master Control. This particular model was made exclusively by JLC for their Far East market several years ago. It has a 37 or 37 1/2 mm case. The dial is a wonderful whitish or silvery color. It is further unblemished by any minute or railroad track markers. It has only five minute markers along with 3 and 9 hour markers. I like simplicity in most of my dials. No date nor seconds hand. Encased in stainless steel.
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Beefylugs
·I own 3 BP and very satisfied with all of them. Finishing in the same league as JLC.
Secured pushers under lugs for setting are a real plus that nobody else have.
JLC made a copy of the FP1185 for their chronographs...
Well in my opinion they are in the same category.
Secured pushers under lugs for setting are a real plus that nobody else have.
JLC made a copy of the FP1185 for their chronographs...
Well in my opinion they are in the same category.
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dsio
··Ash @ ΩFMay seem a more peripheral point but the Blancpain X71 (bracelet) as used on the Fifty Fathoms is my favourite bracelet of all time.
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ncstate1201
·Doesn't have micro adjustment but I have one and the weight is perfect and somehow it just works well even if sized a little big, I think this may have to do with the way the watch is weighted
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EatMan
·But if you are looking a dressy design with a style similar to Blancpain I would also take a look at Glashutte Original, I believe they are better value proposition and are making gorgeous, simply gorgeous watches such as this🥰:
But back to the original question.
Vs
I think the pictures speak for themselves. Jaeger.
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omega man
·Thanks to all for input. "Touting" is an English expression, to "pump up" originated from racetrack touts. Americans seized on it to talk about good attributes of horses on the track. Feel free to throw bricks but have seen that expression in many English mystery novels.
