Awesome review and watch

Feb 23, 2010,12:00 PM
 

Hi Nicholas,

Thank you so much for taking the time to produce this - it is fantastic.  Like you I had the exact same dream watch - the 5102G.  And there is still something very special about it (not least the casework), even compared to the magnificence of the MGTGC.  I am in awe of what JLC is doing at the moment - completely staggering.  When I got my Master Grande Memovox, and went on the Purists JLC tour, it was pretty much the pinacle of the Master line.  How times have changed!

Thanks again,

Tim


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SIHH 2010: The Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication: An Ode to Poetry.

 
 By: amanico : February 23rd, 2010-02:39
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PICTURES OF THE MASTER GRANDE TRADITION WERE TAKEN FROM A PROTOTYPE, AND THAT SOME DETAILS MAY DIFFER ON THE DEFINITIVE WATCH, AS WELL AS THE FINISH. Till past year, only the Master, the Duometre, and the Squadra had the privilege to ...  

Enjoyable post !

 
 By: bimbeano : February 23rd, 2010-03:17
Wow Nicolas ! This is a great post and as you can say this better then me : "JLC is really pushing the limits of horology here". Not only technical speaking, but also the design (due to the complexity ?) is completely new and unique but still very JLC IMH... 

Thanks, Filip, but ...

 
 By: amanico : February 23rd, 2010-03:29
No thanks! No, my house is not for sale... Best, my friend. Nicolas

Damn ..

 
 By: bimbeano : February 23rd, 2010-03:52
I would have given you 290,000 euros for it .... Filip

MGTGC dial

 
 By: Clavi : February 23rd, 2010-03:24
The MGTGC dial reminds me of this baguette clock:...  

Funny that you mention it, Clavi

 
 By: amanico : February 23rd, 2010-03:28
As I'm hunting this one! I really love this " old thing ". Thanks for adding this picture. Best, Nicolas

Amazing watch

 
 By: Dje : February 23rd, 2010-03:33
Hi Nicolas, Thank you for your fantastic post! This is an amazing watch and I hope to have another (longer) opportunity to spend some time with it. The dial is really amazing and the repeater sound is undoubtedly the best I've heard in a wristwatch by JLC... 

My wish is to see JLC releasing some developments form this watch

 
 By: amanico : February 23rd, 2010-05:20
A " simple " astronomical watch would laso make my day... It was a great moment shared with you. Thanks for your nice words, my friend. Best, Nicolas

Nice review! but...

 
 By: Ogygia : February 23rd, 2010-04:15
But....I am afraid the small sun indication is not rotating as a relative solar time...since I can't find a bean-like gear in movement or any official material tellng that. The present of sidereal time is to compensate the spining of stars. Since the sky ... 

It has been presented like this.

 
 By: amanico : February 23rd, 2010-05:18
Here's the PR material: " A small sun rotating around on the outer spheres of the dial, where Zodiac signs and an indication for the 12 months round off the heavenly display, indicates our official time, also known as Mean Solar Time. " Hope this will be ... 

Mean Solar Time = 24 hours...

 
 By: Ogygia : February 23rd, 2010-06:51
a 24 hours day night display...

Yes. That's what I understood from what I heard and read.

 
 By: amanico : February 23rd, 2010-06:56
But I still will have to ask how the sun turns all around the dial. Best, Nicolas

let those enginners think about it.....

 
 By: Ogygia : February 23rd, 2010-07:20
They just calculate a right combination of wheels and put the tourbillon on wandering disc which rotate one time at sidereal day. It remind me vincent calabrese, Blu, Nardin's freak, Breguet double tourbillon, Jean Dunand......

hm...LOL

 
 By: Ogygia : February 23rd, 2010-08:53
I miss-read the sun to torbillon...lol The sun should turn one round in 24 hours with dunut-shaped wheel under the bezel. The sun is a logo pointing inwards from the donut.... :p This message has been edited by Ogygia on 2010-02-23 08:56:31 This message h... 

That was my intuition, too. :)

 
 By: amanico : February 23rd, 2010-10:46
This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-02-23 10:52:15

Dream watches to dream of.

 
 By: VMM : February 23rd, 2010-04:42
One of my fav pieces at the SIHH 2010. The sound was one of the best/loudest I've ever heard in a repeater of that size. Pure poetry. Thanks for sharing the insides. Vte

Yes, the quality of the Minute Repeater sound was a superb surprise, Vicente.

 
 By: amanico : February 23rd, 2010-05:22
Very different from my " Standard " MMR... I'm very happy to see JLC improving the solutions they released some years ago...In 2005. Best,, Hermano. Nicolas

Thanks for inviting us to spend more time with this watch

 
 By: respo : February 23rd, 2010-06:12
This is an amazing watch. I would like to see the "major" celestial watches lined up together for comparison. The PP5102 and the UNs are all awesome pieces as well. You are so right to describe the combination of complications here as poetic. The combinat... 

As often, Respo, I tend to agree with you

 
 By: amanico : February 23rd, 2010-06:54
The thickness of the MGT Grande Complication is very important, indeed. If only it could be 1 or 2 less thick! BUT, even with this volume, I love it. The dial is so fascinating, and the combination of these complications so well chosen and thought that I ... 

I love your passion for this watch.

 
 By: respo : February 23rd, 2010-09:10
It is infectious. And I agree, perfection does not exist, but that is what these watches and their creators strive for. Happily, JLC so often delivers very close to perfection. I hope you figure a way to get this one. respo

An Ode to Poetry by...

 
 By: marcelo : February 23rd, 2010-06:19
the Poet of Haute Horlogerie Thanks for the beautiful post on a fascinating watch, my friend! Best regards, Marcelo This message has been edited by marcelo on 2010-02-23 06:20:30

LOL, Thanks, Marcelo.

 
 By: amanico : February 23rd, 2010-06:57
JLC must really have some poets in their Team... Best, Nicolas

i don't mind to fall in love with this lovely witch...

 
 By: FanFrancisco : February 23rd, 2010-08:17
Nico, you know i have long been waiting for this post to come since the day one i have seen this awesome. from this high-end watch, it can claim that JLC is the top of the tops now. to my knowledge, it is really hard to find other brands that can continuo... 

A continuous inspiration, indeed.

 
 By: amanico : February 23rd, 2010-11:29
Every year, there is something special to dream about, from the " Grande Maison "... Since 2004. But this one is a real pain, for me... I will officially complain to JLC. Best, my friend. Nicolas

The new buckle is beautiful

 
 By: respo : February 23rd, 2010-10:00
I forgot to mention this above. Now that is a good looking buckly worthy of the watches themselves. I hope this new interest by JLC in the buckles for their straps spreads to all of their watches and not just the super high end pieces. respo

Well, it seems that JLC is on the good way

 
 By: amanico : February 23rd, 2010-11:32
The Extrem Lab II, but also this MGT Grande Complication look like strong evidences. It reminds me some buckle of the Past. Indeed, another nice promise, and I don't think JLC will reserve it only to high end watches... Well, I hope so! Best, Nicolas

Awesome review and watch

 
 By: tbh : February 23rd, 2010-12:00
Hi Nicholas, Thank you so much for taking the time to produce this - it is fantastic. Like you I had the exact same dream watch - the 5102G. And there is still something very special about it (not least the casework), even compared to the magnificence of ... 

Agreed, Tim

 
 By: amanico : February 23rd, 2010-23:36
Things changed a lot in the last 20 years, for JLC, and a long way has been done. In the 90ies, there were some magnificient watches, such as the Limited Editon Rose Gold Reversos, each of them ( at the exception of the 60eme ) housing a very nice complic... 

A marvel!

 
 By: Morten : February 23rd, 2010-12:43
Finally you posted a thorough presentation of the most exiting watch from the last fair. I was really curious to see details of the dial and all the complications. A marvel. It looks much better on your pictures than on the picture on the JCL website. I h... 

I kept the very best for the end, Morten

 
 By: amanico : February 23rd, 2010-23:40
JLC already released a Celestial dial on a Reverso: The Triptyque... I would love to see such a dial on a thinner Reverso, tough. Or isolated on a thinner Master, or even better...On a Duometre! Thanks for your nice words, Morten, even if I'm not totally ... 

This is a dream to hold

 
 By: moc : February 23rd, 2010-15:08
I totally understand your passion about this watch Nico.I had the chance to hold it for a little bit in a crowded room but they wouldn t let me walk outside with it!!!!!If you are thinking to sell part of your collection there is a certain 8 days perp I'm...  

I'm totally lost, Mo...

 
 By: amanico : February 23rd, 2010-23:44
Between this MGT Grande Complication and the Gyro I, I'm totally lost, and I am indeed considering letting go sme of my pieces for one of these 2... But there are much harder problems in life... Although.. See you soon? Best, Nicolas

Your women, how much for your women?!

 
 By: aaronm : February 24th, 2010-12:35
Gotta raise cash for this somehow A

Damn, no, Aaron!

 
 By: amanico : February 24th, 2010-13:22
You're crazier than me... Stop giving me such bad ideas! Best, Nicolas

It's a crazy piece Nico!! Thanks a lot. The streng of the sound is impressive...

 
 By: pifpaf : February 23rd, 2010-18:16
I hope that in the final version the level of finish increase to fit to the other pieces of MGT.

This is a Proto, Mailk. No doubt that the finish will improve!

 
 By: amanico : February 23rd, 2010-23:45
Yes, a crazy piece which drives me literally crazy... What? Are you saynig that I didn't need this piece to become crazy? Best, my friend. Nicolas

I lost my mind ...

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : February 24th, 2010-01:21
at first pictures it looked interesting but after your review it looks amazing and magical you are in deed the dangerous fellow :0) All the best Damian

Look who is speaking... :)

 
 By: amanico : February 24th, 2010-04:45
I remember a very dangerous GTG, last August in Croatia... Yes, Damian, this MGT Grande Complication is a watch to absolutely avoid ..For your Mental Health! Best, my friend. Nicolas

Thank you very much for

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : February 25th, 2010-05:22
your kind words ;0) Looking forward to the next one ..... I already implanted few stents :0)) Best Damian

Sometimes we are speechless !!

 
 By: gazoz : February 24th, 2010-01:40
this is one of those times words cant explain such stunning pieces truly amazing some of the best i have seen this year thx Nicolas

The novelties level was very high, this year, at JLC.

 
 By: amanico : February 24th, 2010-04:51
As previously said, these new releases are watches to think about, to fully get their interest, and appeal. But this MGT Grande Complication is certainly " La Creme de la Creme ". Do we need a collective therapy? Best, my friend. Nicolas

That’s one brand that knows how to take our breath away, again & again

 
 By: PoyFR : February 24th, 2010-02:01
That’s one brand that knows how to mechanically take our breath away, again & again > I remember looking at a few shots of this piece prior to visiting SIHH, I thought it was missing expression, did I know so little! Since seeing that marvelous piece at S... 

You know that, we spoke about that many times, POY.

 
 By: amanico : February 24th, 2010-04:58
The only question which remains without answer is ...How to get it! I have really bad time to find a solution, but I will certainly end with a Gyro I or this sublime MGT Grande Complication...Well, you got me, certainly if I'm lucky enough to be able to f... 

Orgasmic certainly is a very...

 
 By: nwp627 : February 24th, 2010-07:46
...good word to describe this marvelously complicated art piece. Thank you for the review and the beautiful pictures. N

:) Thanks, Neil.

 
 By: amanico : February 24th, 2010-09:09

Great pictures...

 
 By: dxboon : February 24th, 2010-08:02
...and write-up, Nicolas! For such an elegant complication, the watch is a bit beastly in its proportions! For me, this watch is all about the dial. I know we are just looking at a prototype, but the dial is so romantic and full of details to peruse. If I... 

I'm on to become completely mad, Daos

 
 By: amanico : February 24th, 2010-11:09
Well, I already was a bit crazy, but you certainly know this feeling, when you wake up in the middle of the night ( and for Vlad, this is vital ... ), thinking about it... I'm obsessed. My collection is in danger... Best, Nicolas

Excellent post Nicolas! [nt]

 
 By: foullis : February 24th, 2010-23:16
No message body

Thanks a lot, Milan.

 
 By: amanico : February 24th, 2010-23:17

This is quite a horological feat ...

 
 By: fernando : February 25th, 2010-05:12
with not one but three amazing complications,all contained in a very handsome & wearable package.! I was mersmerised by the Gyro 1 & dreamt about it for days after trying one on. Hopefully, I won't get to see this one as it will be too much of a temptatio... 

Well, Fernando, you're lucky enough to already own

 
 By: amanico : February 25th, 2010-06:07
Another of my grail watch, the PP 5102... This MGT Grande Complication leads me to a problematic situation. Till January 2010, I was considering the Gyro I as my Dream Watch, and I was thinking about how to fund it. In fact, I had the Gyro I and the Extre... 

I can understand the difficulty..

 
 By: fernando : February 25th, 2010-06:55
you are having Nicolas. These decisions are not easy to make......there's always a price to pay. I would have a hard time choosing between those three myself even if the funds were available.The Gyro 1 & the Extreme Lab are IMO just the two most desir... 

A great report.....

 
 By: MiniCooper : February 25th, 2010-12:59
as usual my friend..... JLC does it again.... my only reservation would be the tourbi..... I would prefer for the watch to be without it.... As for the buckle it is a step in the right direction and hopefully a folding one will follow soon... Cheers

I would agree with you if the Flying Tourbillon was not rotative

 
 By: amanico : February 25th, 2010-13:09
It would have been a pain if it was only fixed in a part of the dial...It would even ruin the beauty of the dial, IMO... But as it is turning all around the dial, and as it has a function, here, and not only a sophisitication like on any other Tourbillon,... 

lol.....

 
 By: MiniCooper : February 25th, 2010-13:14
that would be beyond my budget my friend.... looking forward to seeing you my friend.... cheers

Tsssss, PP ...

 
 By: amanico : February 25th, 2010-13:16
No Tourbillon=nice discount! Best, Nicolas

::)).....

 
 By: MiniCooper : February 25th, 2010-13:22
for a piece unique?? it does not hurt to ask.... although JLC might create it in the future..... cheers

Stunning! A real work of art.

 
 By: Davo : February 25th, 2010-22:23
Great post, Nicolas! Well done and thanks so much for sharing.

HOLY S NICOLAS!!!

 
 By: matrix : February 26th, 2010-11:14
What r u trying to do to us brother? Kill us? WOW! Insane time keepers. The Cosmos is THE freshest piece I've seen ever. It's now time to play the lottery. Thanks again for the continued education my friend, B well, Matrix.

LOL, Matrix, that's the first time

 
 By: amanico : February 26th, 2010-14:08
I'm associated with some Holy Thing! Thanks for the nice words, my friend. Best, Nicolas