JLC Minute Repeaters, a Family ?

Jan 10, 2009,13:35 PM
 


I was waiting to be able to take decent pics of the new MMRs to prepare this topic, and to present them to you.

In April 2008, during the last SIHH, JLC introduced 2 new MMRs, the " 1833 " ,and a Boutique Edition, which were, more precisely, completing the 2 previous models, released in 2005 ( Platinum ), and 2006 ( Titanium).

The Platinum Antoine Lecoultre Master Minute Repeater:

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The Titanium MMR:

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More than 2 New MMRs, I'd say that this it is an evolution of theses 2 first great watches.

First, let's have a look at the new Platinum MMR, which is a " Boutique non limited Edition ", which means that it is available only at the JLC Boutiques.

The main difference between the 2005 LE and this new MMR is the color of the dial, wich is black on the new one:

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You will also notice that the hands of the Power Rserve and the Torque Indicators are not blued anymore, which is a good thing ,because they were blue painted, and not blue heated...And the contrast between Blue and Black wouldn't have been nicer than between Silver and Black.

Another good point is that the Platinum MMR is not anymore a Limited Edition, as the 200 pieces of the first model are on to be reached.

It would have been sad to not see a Platinum MMR anymore, don't you think?

Now, the Subjective matter:

So do you prefer it with the Black open dial, or the Silver one?

The Black dial adds Strengh to the whole watch, while the Silver looks more under stated.

Difficult to choose between these 2 versions, and perhaps, with the Time, it will be easier, as a new verson is quite often more surprising than a watch we're used to see.

Another small detail is that the movement of the new version doesn't bear anymore A.Lecoultre signature:

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Now, let's admire the evolution of the MMR Titanium Version, the " 1833 ", in Rose gold ( LE of 175 pieces ) :

Here, this is not the dial nor the treatment of the movement that changes, compared to the MMR titanium, but the Metal and the Color of the Case.

Keep the ruthenium finish of the MMR titanium, put it in a rose Gold case, and you will have a stunning combination, and contrast.

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The surprise is that with a Rose Gold Case, you expect a dressy, elegant and quite sober, not to say classic, dial.

Here, you have a spectacular open dial, mixing the strange and deep look of the ruthenium to the warmth and elegant rose gold case.

Surprising blend, but appealing, IMO.

The idea to use Rose Gold hands and indexes adds, completes and achieves the very nice outcome.

This stunnning contrast can also be admired through the Anti Reflect sapphire:

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Between the Titanium and the Rose Gold MMR, I'd say that the Titanium is more looking like a Concept Watch, while the RG is a bit between the Concept Watch ( with its open dial ) ,and the Elegant and Classic Watch, really a matter of taste, once again.

Will JLC complete the offer in " ding dong " watches, and achieves this awesome Diversity?

Time will tell.

Best.

Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-01-10 13:35:59 This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-01-14 10:38:27

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Comments: view entire thread

 

Fun post on one of the great JLC watches

 
 By: respo : January 10th, 2009-15:11
I definitely have a clear preference among the several versions and that is for the titanium. There is not even a close second in the group. I love the presentation of one of the most refined and elegant complications as a concept watch, and the titainuiu... 

Luckily, Respo

 
 By: amanico : January 12th, 2009-07:32

Great ding dong post!

 
 By: BluNotte : January 10th, 2009-17:51
Thanks for sharing these photos, the black boutique non LE i saw once here in Tokyo, sad to hear it itsn't LE because Platinum should always be made in an LE where possible! And i didn't know that the blued steel hands werent heat treated but were painted... 

would prefer Titanium MMR more...

 
 By: FanFrancisco : January 10th, 2009-20:21
thanks Nic for this post, the comparison is interesting and stimulating. after reading your comparions, my choice would go for Titanium MMR. btw, wondering what would be the sound like? stefan

The sound is amazing Stefan!

 
 By: BluNotte : January 11th, 2009-06:38
And although i have not had the chance to listen to them side by side, i have had the chance to hear them individually on separate occasions, and the Titanium version does sound that little bit more clearer, not to say that the Platinum version isn't! And... 

must look for one to listen...

 
 By: FanFrancisco : January 12th, 2009-05:38

Well, Stefan,

 
 By: amanico : January 12th, 2009-07:40
After many weeks of comparision between the platinum and the titanium MMRs, I can tell you that the Titanium sounds higher, while the Platinum sounds matter. The titaniu_m sounds a bit louder, too, but just a bit. Best. Nicolas

many thanks Nic for the info. [nt]

 
 By: FanFrancisco : January 12th, 2009-16:14

Thanks for the post Nicolas....

 
 By: grandcomplication : January 10th, 2009-21:12
Nicolas, I wasn't aware of the existence of the boutique edition of the MMR with the black dial. The watch really speaks to me! Regards, Chris

Chris, as I wrote,

 
 By: amanico : January 12th, 2009-07:42

Nicolas....nothing new?

 
 By: BHK9 : January 10th, 2009-23:18
Hi Nicolas, I was expecting something special from JLC,kind of dishearted looking at both the MMR, They are like Face-Lift rather than total change over vy JLC,are they optting the Mercedes Benz marketing strategy???or perhaps the Basel/SIHH yearly event ... 

I agree with you, BHK 9

 
 By: amanico : January 12th, 2009-07:55

Fantastic watches !

 
 By: DrStrong : January 10th, 2009-23:23

Thanks, Jeff.

 
 By: amanico : January 12th, 2009-08:09

Great post Nicolas...

 
 By: E.J. : January 11th, 2009-01:58
thanks for sharing with us and thanks too for your teaching. All are awesome watches, with the beauty and level that JLC give us always, but my prefer model is the MMR titanium, is a impressive watch. Thanks Nicolas for your work. Best my friend. Emilio.

thanks Nicolas

 
 By: ChristianDK : January 11th, 2009-08:15
thank you my friend for sharing these with us. I must say, like the rest of the crowd, the Ti MMR is by far the best looking piece. I was never so shure about the way they made the "half open" dial of the AL MMR. Maybe it had been more cool with just a si... 

Two different schools, COD

 
 By: amanico : January 12th, 2009-11:42
The Platinum have open dials ... the rose gold and the titanium, too. No one of these has a skeleton dial. The Platinum are more old school, while the Titanium is maybe more " conceptual ". Really for different people, I think. Best, my friend, and see yo... 

you are indeed correct

 
 By: ChristianDK : January 12th, 2009-14:19

Superb post...

 
 By: kkhazen : January 11th, 2009-10:27
... my heart goes for the MR red gold. Definetly one of the nicest watch out there, IMO. The ultimate time piece! Thanks for the making us dream once again. Karim

Aah, Karim. One for the RG!

 
 By: amanico : January 12th, 2009-11:52
And what's not to love it? A classical color for the case, but an original open dial. Best of both worlds? I under rated it when I saw it in Geneva, last April, but there was an impressive crowd, and I didn't have the time to fully appreciate it. A few we... 

i can't wait to...

 
 By: kkhazen : January 12th, 2009-12:57
... see it in the flesh. Unfortunatly, there is only 2 AD's that are JLC resellers in Beirut. One of them is has all the good brand, like PP, lange, VC, etc... but they ppl working there are the unbearable. They got the JLC perpetual squeleton, i ask to l... 

ok the rose....

 
 By: donzi22 : January 11th, 2009-12:38
..............is astonishing! my first time seeing it. Sensational piece. Nicolas you literally NEVER cease to amaze me. Brilliant post (for the 1000th time.......) WOW.

OK, Ian, 2 for the Rose.

 
 By: amanico : January 12th, 2009-12:04

Well said and put once again Nicolas

 
 By: matrix : January 11th, 2009-15:09
I personally prefer the black dial on the new MMR. Ive never been a big fan of RG, but it the MMR couldnt have been more elegant/classy without its compliments! Thank you again for the education and best for you my friend. Matrix.

and what's about wearing on the wrist...

 
 By: OlivierT : January 12th, 2009-01:18
because I'm a roucky on this forum, so impressed by this post! but, how could you have these watch at the same time? congratulations nicolas. for pix but almost, for your comments. last year, for the launch of the JLC boutique in lyon, I had have the occa... 

Nice, realy Nice... Thanks. But 'Another small detail...?'

 
 By: PoyFR : January 12th, 2009-02:34
Is it that small to you... 'Il y a Les uns et puis il y a les autres' ;-) I rather be be the detail... LOL Great post thanks.