Okay, so I’ve been eyeing this Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Date watch for a while now. It’s a real beauty, but the price tag? Ouch. So, I started looking into, shall we say, “alternative” options.
First, I hit up some online forums and discussion boards. I learned that the serial number on the real deal is on the movement, either on the back or under the dial. And I found out that the year on the case might be a year or two behind the movement’s production year. It was said that JLC’s craftsmanship is pretty top-notch, even compared to fancy brands like Vacheron Constantin. Good to know, I thought.
Then I started searching for places that sell these imitation watches. I stumbled upon some posts talking about a different model, the 176.2.64.S. Not what I was looking for, but hey, more information is always good, right? I also found some chatter about a Master Control Chronograph imitation. Still not the Ultra Thin Date, but it was getting warmer.
I even saw someone mention they bought a watch on Chrono24, and there were rumors about fakes being sold there. This particular watch had papers but no box. I did see some issues mentioned, like pushers not working for setting the date or moon phase. That would be a problem, definitely.
Someone else was talking about how they got an automatic ultra-thin moon because it’s supposed to last forever, and it’s a pretty versatile watch. You know, dress it up, dress it down. I like the sound of that.
I finally found some listings for the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Date I was after. The real ones were going for around $7,750. Yikes. But then I saw some imitation ones, and the prices were way more reasonable.
Digging Deeper
So, I started comparing the real deal with the imitations. I looked at pictures, read descriptions, the whole nine yards. I found out that with some imitations, the date and day change every 24 hours like they should, but you might have to manually change the month and year with a pusher. Not a deal-breaker, but something to consider.
I kept seeing mentions of the APSF version of the JLC Master Ultra Thin. Seems like a popular choice. People were also talking about the rose gold version. Pretty, but I’m more of a stainless steel guy myself.
Finally, I pulled the trigger and ordered an imitation of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Date from a specialty store I found online. They had pictures and a video of the watch, and it looked pretty darn good. I got one with a blue-grey dial. It looks really nice.
It arrived a few weeks later, and I’ve been wearing it for a while now. Honestly, I’m pretty impressed. It looks great, it keeps time well, and the date function works as it should. It has a good weight to it. Feels solid. No one’s called me out on it being a fake, that’s for sure.
So, there you have it. My journey into the world of imitation Jaeger-LeCoultre watches. Was it a success? I’d say so. I got the look I wanted without breaking the bank. If you’re thinking about getting one, just do your research, compare your options, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. You might just end up with a pretty sweet watch on your wrist, just like I did.
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