Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to share this for a while now. It’s about that time I tried to figure out if a Jaeger-LeCoultre JLC Rendez-Vous Moon watch I came across was the real deal or just a good imitation. This happened a while back, sometime around March 2013, when I got my hands on a pre-owned Jaeger-LeCoultre. Man, was I excited! But then, that little voice in my head started questioning if it was genuine.
So, I did what anyone would do, I started taking pictures, lots of them. I figured, maybe someone out there, in the vast world of the internet, could help me. I mean, it’s a Jaeger-LeCoultre, not just any watch. It’s like the Rolls Royce of watches, you know?
I remember posting those pictures on some watch forums, asking for help. “Jaeger LeCoultre – please help identify,” I wrote. I even tried to compare it with some pictures and info I found online, but boy, it’s tough. You see all these details, the moon phase, the hands, the dial, and you start wondering, “Is this right? Is that how it’s supposed to look?”
The Real Deal or a Good Fake?
I dug deeper, reading articles and forum posts about how to spot a fake Jaeger-LeCoultre. I stumbled upon this one post, it was from 2024, talking about the JLC Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar. It had some tips, but mine was a Rendez-Vous Moon, a different beast altogether. Still, I kept those tips in mind. Like, checking for the quality of the materials, the precision of the engraving, and the overall finish.
- The waiting game: I posted my pictures and waited. Days turned into weeks. Some folks said it looked legit, others weren’t so sure. It was a rollercoaster of emotions.
- Research, research, research: I spent hours, maybe even days, comparing my watch to pictures of authentic ones. I looked at the details, the fonts, the placement of the logo, everything.
- Seeking expert advice: Finally, I decided to take it to a local watchmaker, not an official dealer, just someone who knew their stuff. I figured they could give me a more unbiased opinion.
The watchmaker examined it carefully, using a loupe and all those fancy tools. He checked the movement, the case, the dial, everything. After what felt like an eternity, he looked up and said, “It’s a tough one, but I’d say it’s likely real.”
He pointed out a few things that made him lean towards it being genuine. The quality of the finishing, the complexity of the movement, and some other details that only an expert would notice. But he also mentioned that there are some really good fakes out there, so it’s never 100% certain without sending it to Jaeger-LeCoultre themselves. It seems like the problem that only official dealer can really confirm that.
Now, I’m not saying it’s definitely real, but hearing that from a watchmaker gave me some peace of mind. It’s like, okay, maybe I didn’t get ripped off. Maybe I do have a genuine Jaeger-LeCoultre on my wrist.
Anyway, that’s my story. It was a wild ride, full of uncertainty and excitement. But hey, that’s part of the fun of collecting watches, right? You never really know what you’re gonna get, and that’s what makes it so thrilling. And it reminded me one thing, always buy new ones from few ADs and JLC Boutiques if possible.
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