On January 1, 2019 Quill & Pad celebrates its five-year anniversary. In honor of this milestone, we take a look at some of the great stories and photos from the last 1,825 days that have helped make this publication a fun, informative, and visually interesting one.
One of the team’s collective favorite brands is Jaeger-LeCoultre; several team members own one or more timepieces by the “watchmaker’s watchmaker,” and GaryG has even pinpointed this marque as being the “gateway drug” for his (and many others’) watch collecting hobby (see Jaeger-LeCoultre: A Collector’s ‘Gateway Drug’ And Ongoing Pleasure).
Like for GaryG, my lifelong obsession with this brand also began in 1991, and I remember the moment as if it were yesterday. I was at my first Basel Fair having lunch with some older, more experienced journalists, who knew full well that I was a newbie.
No doubt hoping for the reaction he got, one of them suddenly stuck his arm out over his plate of white asparagus, pulled his sleeve back, and proceeded to flip his watch front to back in its case right in front of my eyes.
Yep, he got the reaction he was looking for: “WOW!”
But that sparked a fire inside of me: I knew what the future would hold for my wrist.
Elizabeth Doerr’s 1966 LeCoultre Memodate
There are many such stories of personal engagement with and discovery of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s timepieces right here on Quill & Pad. And there are some still being written, which you will have the pleasure of reading in the future.
Here are the five most popular Jaeger-LeCoultre stories from the past five years.
Number 5: Master Of Control: The New For 2017 Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Date, Master Control Chronograph, And Master Control Geographic
The classically modern-retro style of this refreshed line introduced in 2017 has made it an absolute fan favorite, perhaps because the light-handed design work allows the Art Deco inspiration to shine through. Destined to become a daily wearer, these Master Control models remain quite talked about as great examples of this brand’s famous round-case line almost two years on.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Geographic
“They provide a bit of jazz and vintage inspiration excitement, revitalizing the design department with some risks for a new generation of watch lovers,” wrote author Joshua Munchow.
To read, or even just look at the pictures, please see Master Of Control: The New For 2017 Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Date, Master Control Chronograph, And Master Control Geographic.
Number 4: 85 Years Of The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso
In 2016, my beloved Reverso model turned 85 years old – a milestone for any one watch model. Throughout those 85 years the Reverso naturally went through a lot of evolution, added complication, and a myriad of variations.
The Reverso 60ème in the larger “grande taille” case for the 60th anniversary of the Jaeger-LeCoultre icon
In this comprehensive post, I pinpoint the major evolutions of and additions to the original “polo watch.”
To view, please go to 85 Years Of The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso.
Number 3: Complete Overview Of The Jaeger-LeCoultre Amvox Line
In 2004, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced its sporty Amvox line in tribute to and partnership with James Bond’s favorite brand of automobiles, Aston Martin. In my eyes, this was a match made in heaven that begat several highly interesting and unusually technical sports watches.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Amvox 1 Alarm in platinum
The partnership ended in 2016 when Aston Martin signed a new deal with Richard Mille, which, however, was never brought to fruition: by 2017 Aston Martin had jumped ship to TAG Heuer (see TAG Heuer And Aston Martin Introduce New Partnership With Two Watches At Geneva Motor Show).
This post takes a comprehensive look back at the entire Jaeger-LeCoultre Amvox line, providing key information for collectors and enthusiasts.
To peruse, please see Complete Overview Of The Jaeger-LeCoultre Amvox Line.
Number 2: Stunning New Geophysic Collection From Jaeger-LeCoultre: True Second And Universal Time
Author Ian Skellern went to the Jaeger-LeCoultre manufacture in Le Sentier to get the full story on the brand-new Geophysic True Second collection once it was launched in September 2015 – which, despite its name, was not a continuation of the homage Geophysic 1958 line of 2014. With its funky and technical adaptation of deadbeat seconds, this was something completely new. And nearly four years later the Geophysic True Seconds are looking as good as ever.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic Universal Time
“ . . . the new Geophysic collection from Jaeger-LeCoultre offers nothing less than what is quite possibly the best value for money haute horlogerie wristwatches available today. However, the Geophysic True Second and Geophysic Universal Time are not just great value watches, they are great watches. Period,” Ian wrote at the time.
To view the post, please go to Stunning New Geophysic Collection From Jaeger-LeCoultre: True Second And Universal Time.
Number 1: Why I Bought It: Jaeger-LeCoultre Tribute To Reverso 1931
The personal stories are always the best, aren’t they? And GaryG’s “Why I Bought It” series never fails to incite great interest. There’s nothing more interesting than understanding someone’s motives behind buying something intensely personal.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Tribute to Reverso 1931
“Over the twenty-odd years I’ve been buying ‘serious’ watches, I’ve purchased more pieces bearing the Jaeger-LeCoultre brand name than any other, by far,” GaryG started this post out. “As far as I’m concerned, there are lots of good reasons for this, but perhaps what formed my early attraction was Jaeger-LeCoultre’s storied history as a developer of movements used by many other high-end brands. . .”
Jaeger-LeCoultre Tribute to Reverso 1931: U.S. limited production of 2012
Above and beyond that, the Tribute to Reverso 1931 has been one of the brand’s most successful Reverso models of recent years, earning positive feedback across collector groups. Perhaps this post is also so popular on account of GaryG’s delicious photography of the limited-edition watch issued to commemorate the eightieth anniversary of the Reverso paired with its luscious Fagliano strap. You decide.
To view, please visit Why I Bought It: Jaeger-LeCoultre Tribute To Reverso 1931.
You may also enjoy:
Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Geographic WT: The World On Your Wrist
6 New Watches In Jaeger-LeCoultre 2018 Polaris Collection Including A New Memovox Model
Jaeger-LeCoultre: A Collector’s ‘Gateway Drug’ And Ongoing Pleasure
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I was wondering what is this trrend of recycling old articles. Authoring new ones is harder now?
Hodin-thing is doing it so everyone needs to do it? (Mono-color is, watches by xyz is, etc …)
I understand the work involved in writing long well documented and illustrated articles (i have done
few) and the possible limitations a modest team may have for high frequency high density new content. I also understand the necessity to post regularly to keep visibility high and sponsors happy.
Could the mitigation be adding a new format of article that is more concise and quicker to produce, between the long detailed well documented illustrated pieces?
I value quill&pad for the opinions of the contributors.
The long articles are always very interesting read but a long “old”article that comes back is like yesterday’s stew. Can be good but should not be presented more than once in a long while in my opinion.
Developing a format that complement well the long article would be very interesting, and O am sure the team would author something good and original.
Jp.
We post 7 brand-new articles per week, Jean-Philippe, more than we’ve ever posted. And we do repost some older ones in addition – but that is only because they are worth reposting and because we know the audience reading it is 80% different than the first time it was posted as we gain new readers. If you don’t want to re-read something we’ve posted, then don’t. There is more new material than ever on our site. Your choices and possibilities are endless.
Thank you for your answer. I do enjoy very much the quality of the content of quillandpad. No doubt. I wish I could be an occasional contributor at times, even (but may be I just burnt my chance with my earlier comment). My apologies if my comment did not come out in favor of the work the team does. It surely was not my point. I noticed a trend in online watchmaking
Media but may be I saw more than there is to see, as you clarified. It is rare and precious to maintain your level of quality in the content.
Looking forward to read the new articles as they come.
Jp.