Jaeger-LeCoultre

A visit at the JLC Boutique - Piazza di Spagna in Rome

 

2014 is not a good year for a first trip in Rome: there are a lot of works around two main locations of the City: the Fontana di Trevi and the Piazza di Spagna. Since I know Rome better than Paris, it was not a main issue for me. And I had a very good reason to have a walk at the Piazza di Spagna: I wished to visit the new JLC boutique located on this square, maybe one of the most famous in the world.

Maybe we shall rename the square after all... one year after the opening of the IWC boutique on the other side of the Spanish Steps (see the report here: home.watchprosite.com ), Jaeger-Lecoultre opened its own boutique during the first half of this year. It is obviously a key part in the strategy of the brand because one lever of its expected growth is based on the development of its network.

Actually, there is a second JLC boutique in Rome located Via Veneto but this boutique is the result of a partnership with a local AD while the Piazza di Spagna one is a boutique operated by the brand itself.

I propose you to enter the boutique to discover its lay-out... and of course some timepieces!

Last year I could see the works on this location... so I was happy in 2014 to be able to enter this new place!

As you can see it on this pic, the boutique is very close to the famous stairs and strategically very well located, between the Barcaccia fountain and the Via del Babuino: this street will become more important in this luxury area since works are currently done to convert it in a pedestrian street.



The positive point when we visit newly opened boutiques is that we discover the brands latest decoration styles which will be applied thereafter with the future boutiques. One decoration detail is the shape of the chandeliers which makes us think to a watch gear train:

The main desk:

An overall view of the boutique. It is rather small but well organized in order to welcome the visitors with comfort and space:

The boutique is nicely decorated to catch the atmosphere of the brand:

Let's have a look at some pieces now.

One of my fav complicated JLC watches is the Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon and PC:

I appreciate the lay-out of the dial which makes a great focus on the Tourbillon without spoiling the legibility of the PC data. Another detail I like is the full display of the year. I have to confess that I'm less seduced by the moonphase indicator by hand. The second hand has a 3-bladed shape due to the fact that the graduation scale is done between 0 and 20.

The dial is neat and clear despite the gathering of complications:

The watch is powered by the JLC 987 movement which features a 48 hours power reserve and a 4hz frequency. The winding mass is nicely decorated and brings a touch of warmth to the movement bridges side:

The case diameter is 42mm. The size is perfect here in order to get a great legibility on the dial without having the feeling to wear a plate on the wrist:

The Reverso Duetto Classique is a 2014 novelty. It gathers several know-how of the Manufacture and takes advantage of the Reverso case to propose an elegant dual-time watch for the ladies:

One size is fully set. I could appreciate the pattern on the dial and the flawless work on the case, especially on the complicated and inclined casesides:

The other side offers a more discreet style. Actually, the great asset of this watch is to be able to strictly follow the mood of its owner... More precious? More discreet? With the Duetto Classique, you choose the style of the watch. 

Obviously, we find again in this watch  the movement JLC 865 (3hz, 48 hours of power reserve).

I like this Art-Deco dial:

On Claudia's wrist, the boutique manager. The watch is rather big for a ladies' watch (38,5x23,1mm) but the good surprise is that the thickness remains below 10mm which is good news due to the Reverso case and the gems setting.

I think that I don't need to introduce this Duometre!

I have to confess that I'm always impressed by this watch but I will never buy it! Why? Because the permanente foudroyante (a diablotine in this case) is too stressful for me! But if we forget this detail, what a superb watch!

Even if I don't like open dials, the openings work well here by bringing a technical touch:

More than for its finishings, the movement of the Duometre à Quantième Lunaire seduces thanks to is architecture. The two "brains" are clearly visible and the feeling of depth contributes to the successful design of this movement, the JLC 381 (3hz, 50 hours of power reserve):

The time display is located on the right side of the dial what improves the legibility for people like me who wear the watch on the left wrist. It is a true joy to wear this watch... if only I could forget the diablotine!

Let's enter a totally different world with this Master Ultra Thin 1907. This watch is pure elegance especially thanks to this PG case. I have always found this kind of watches boring with a neutral colour case but in PG... they find a new energy!

The Dauphine hands tells the time with class and legibility on a pure dial:

The watch is powered by the handwind movement JLC 849. It is pleasure to wind it, it is also a part of the concept of the watch (this daily rite explains why a handwind watch is a true "lifestyle" watch) but I find its power reserve too short (35 hours). Not a big problem after all because it you leave the watch during two days, it doesn't require a lot of time to set the time again.

Due to its thin bezel, the watch looks a big bigger on the wrist than it is actually (39mm):

The JLC boutique in Rome also offers a wide range of Atmos like this Hermes Atmos:

I was warmly welcomed by the staff and of course, the coffee was excellent! We are in Rome after all! Did you notice the nice detail on the sugar cubes? JLC is a sweet brand!

I would like to finish the report with my FAV JLC watch of the last years. This PG Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931 is exactly what I expect from a Reverso: it is an elegant watch without being too formal. The combo created by the Fagliano strap and the chocolate dial is awesome. It is not only a question of colours but also of shape and texture of the strap.

With such strap, the roots of the Reverso reappear... and this subtle touch of sportive atmosphere makes the watch highly desirable.

I had one regret: if only I could wear it in the streets of Rome, it would have been fantastic because the city would have been a perfect scenery for such watch!

I could spend hours watching the dial:

And the good new (or bad, I don't know!) is that the watch is perfect on my wrist! Another temptation...

Even with an additional strap to make it more casual, the charm of the watch remains the same. Its versatility surprises me a lot.

Anyway, it was for me a great pleasure to have the opportunity to wear it again and maybe I have now a small seed in my brain.

As you could understand it, I appreciated a lot the visit of the boutique thanks to the warm welcome of its staff led by Claudia, the boutique manager. If you are in Rome, I recommend you to pay them a visit, you will enjoy this moment spent at the boutique located in one of the most prestigious areas in the world.

And of course, I wish the best and a lot of success to this newly opened boutique and its staff!

Fr.Xavier


This message has been edited by foversta on 2014-08-16 02:49:29

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