amanico
[JLC Moderator]
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Jaeger-Lecoultre Geophysic: Cross Hair Dial, or not?
That IS the question!
In 2014, I had the unbelievable opportunity to " fall " on a new old stock Cross Hair Dial, and I hesitated to jump on it, a bit, just a few seconds, to tell the truth.
The Geophysic is, by far, more known with this dial:
Indeed, this is the dial which appears in all the ads, catalogs and booklets. And which is installed in most of the Geophysics which pop in the different collectors markets, or auctions.
But we know that the Geophysic E 168, to be precise, came with another dial.
The history behind the cross hair dial can be read here:
This dial has been drawed in January 1958, at the very beginning of the Geophysic Production, and has been housed in a few ( impossible to tell how many were fitted, though ) E 168, in stainless steel or in yellow gold, from what I observed, during these last years.
So, I decided to install it in my Geophysic, since I could also keep my old dial.
Here is the outcome:
The applied indexes and hour markers are very elegant, and the fact that it also have these minutes / seonds numbers each 5 minutes is very à propos for a Chronometer, I find.
The Cross Hair is the last detail, a kind of nice cherry on the cake.
I fell for it, yes, but only if I could keep the more " popular " dial, which was possible.
A nicely fitted box!
I am in Heaven!
To help you to decide, here is a side by side picture of mine, with Patrice's one. How many times did we see these two dials side by side!
Definitely, I am starting to be convinced that getting both of them is THE solution!
Best,
Nicolas.
More posts:
Jaeger-Lecoultre Geophysic: Cross Hair Dial, or not?
That IS the question! In 2014, I had the unbelievable opportunity to " fall " on a new old stock Cross Hair Dial, and I hesitated to jump on it, a bit, just a few seconds, to tell the truth. The Geophysic is, by far, more known with this dial: Indeed, thi...
But who will have both ?.. Apart from possible well-known subjects(?) ;))
- I guess, for me it would be tough to decide, but in my humble case, it's a non-issue, as I "only" own the TT ss/Tribute type, which I love intensively !! Maybe it may be a good reason for Geophysic GTG's to have several "flavors" on one table .. What an...
Not
:) I prefer non cross hair dial but having both is always the best way :) Cheers D
Having both he original dials is the BEST option..
and you did very well in sourcing the cross hair! Is finding an original crystal with the lume plots still possible or don't they exist anymore? You and Patrice are lucky fellows indeed! :) Best fernando
For the right plexy, you need a huge part of luck.
The Manufacture doesn't have anymore. Now, an old watchmaker who wants to sell his stock is the best ( but Lucky ) option. Both is THE solution, indeed. Best, my friend. nicolas
Cross hair all over ...
IMHO the cross hair gives to this watch a more technical look. That was the reason why I pic the "copy": I love this watch so much that I keep it on the safe all the time. I need to fix this fault. Cheers, Nilo ...
+1 more technical look
Hi Nilo, I fully share your opinion concerning the cross hair giving the watch a more technical look, almost like a tool watch. This goes very well with its history. Kind regards anaesdoc
For a Chronometer, or a precision watch, that is indeed important.
Good point, Nilo... Good point. Best, Nicolas
I fell off my chair when....
Out of the blue you post a cross hair watch! I could not believe my eyes, as it looked brand new. Then after a while your explanation, NOS dial. Well, mon ami, this is heaven. As, I believe that the original cross hair design dial is impeccable. I gave up...
That is a journey into strong feelings, my friend.
Finding a NOS Geophysic is a tough challenge. With a Crosshairs dial even more. Not impossible, but you will need a lot of luck. The Tributes are nice first step. Perfect? No, but damn cool, yes! Best, Joe. Nicolas
Though a tool watch...
I find the cross-hair more casual and the index dial more elegant. -Dean
Yes... More under rated, the no crosshairs dial. While the Crosshairs is a bit more...
" Full "... Curious how much it changes a Watch. Best, Dean. Nicolas
I will keep it as it is for a long time. The other possibility is that...
I find an old Geophysic, with a rotten dial, and that I install my no crosshairs on it... This way, I will have the bloody pair. Best, Massi. Nicolas ...
Much prefer the cross hair dial
I much prefer the cross hair dial It is more technical, which to me embodies the ethos of the Geophysic pieces And frankly I have never preferred the aesthetics of dials where the hour and/or minute line markers traverse too far into the dial...one of my ...
What took you so long?! ;)
That what I have been telling you all along! Both is ALWAYS the best way! ;) Wonderful to see your shots, my friend! Best Blomman
Not right now....
Let's have this discussion in the end of this year... ;) Best Blomman
With that one, you will have all the Geophysics, or do you still miss some?
Well, let's think about it... YG Crosshairs? Deluxe? Best, Nicolas
I still don't have it....
But I am working on it for sure. The once I don't have? The list is long.......... Best Blomman
I'm a crosshair fan also.
I agree with the others about the crosshair giving the watch a tool watch vibe, which is my preference. ...
I find the Cross Hair Dial........
...more suited to the watch, just my personal opinion of course. The reasoning been that as a Geophysic, showing the 4 cardinal points is very appropriate. Thank you for the nice pictures Nicolas. Cheers Francois
It adds something very special to an already special watch, François.
Agree on that. Thanks for looking, my friend, and for your comments, as well. Best, Nicolas
Now, I better understand the reason behind your screen name. ;)
Killing Duo... It is simple, you just killed me. Best, Nicolas
But AFAIK.. You do have something to show already now ! ;))
There\'s already a nice group of Geophysics.. And still counting.. Everyone is thinking about the looong & deeep sleeve, Even myself, I learned one or two things.. "Always leave yourself some gunpowder", is one of those. Best, my friend hs
Some dilemmas have only one solution...
... like in this case. When the new Geophysics Tribute was announced last year and I viewed the first photographs, I was a bit dissapointed to see that the steel version (which was the one I could afford) was offered with the cross hair dial instead of th...
Some pictures from my Tribute Album...
Your vintage and my tribute... Cross hairs are not bad at all! ;)) All the best Nicolas! Abrazos! Abel ...
