Jaeger LeCoultre  Geophysic®  Watches

Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic: A Reinvention of a Classic

Jaeger-LeCoultre is one of the leading brands of luxury watches that dominate the watch industry. Hailing from Vallée de Joux in Switzerland, the Swiss watch company has consistently been producing innovative wristwatches and clocks since 1833. With over a century of watchmaking expertise, Jaeger-LeCoultre has managed to keep up with the times without straying away from their traditional practices. 

One of its iconic collections, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic is the revival of the brand's original Geophysic watch, which was introduced in 1958 to honor the International Geophysical Year. The new versions stay true to the original with their large cases, luminescent hands, and cutting-edge Gyrolab balance wheels. The new interpretation of the Geophysic is not only faithful to the original in terms of precision and functionality but also in aesthetics, with its sporty-dress watch appeal that exudes luxury and elegance. 

Prices at a Glance: Most Popular Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic Watches

How much does a Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic watch cost?

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic collection consists of only two distinguished models: the Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic True Second and the Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic Universal Time. These two new models stemmed from the original Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic that came out in 1958. It was a timeless classic that became widely popular worldwide. That being said, how much do the two homage models cost?

Prices for the Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic True Second  Watches

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic True Second is the direct tribute to its 1958 predecessor. It offers the same exterior with a few major redefined features that give it an identity instead of living in the shadows of the 1958 model. Coming in with two variations to choose from, the True Second provides a fairly affordable choice whilst offering the same stylish exterior it is well-known for.

The Geophysic True Second comes with two variants: the Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic True Second 8012520 (Rose gold case), and the Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic True Second 8018420 (Stainless steel case). Both models are equipped with the same improved features and functions. The 8018420 has a stainless steel case that has a diameter of 39.6mm. This perfectly complements the black alligator leather band along with a stainless folding buckle. It also has a white dial and silver rectangular hour markers to maintain consistency. An aperture that shows the date can also be located at 3 o’clock. 

The 8012520, on the other hand, has an 18K Rose gold case. It has a white dial with rose gold rectangle hour markings and the same aperture at 3 o’clock. Its alligator leather strap has a dark brown hue that blends well with the rose gold exterior. This model utilizes a pin buckle instead of a folding buckle to add more to its design and give it its unique feature.

The Geophysic True Second is also equipped with self-winding technology and Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Calibre 770. It has a 40-hour power reserve to increase its lifespan when not worn. Aside from that, its water-resistance can reach up to 50 meters or 5 bars. 

As of now, the 8018420 has an approximate price of $7,639.00 USD. The 8012520 is more expensive since it brandishes an 18K rose gold case. It is currently marketed at the price of $17,500.00 USD. The price differences may be different, but each model has its own identity which makes them worth every penny.

Prices for the Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic Universal Time Watches

Much like the True Second models, the Universal Time also has two variants: the Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic Universal Time 108420 (stainless steel), and the Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic Universal Time 8102520 (rose gold). This rangel offers a unique design that sets it apart from the aforementioned models as well as its predecessor. It has an intricate world dial that accurately shows the time from around the world, which justifies its given name as Geophysic Universal Time.

The 8108420 and the 8102520 are both equipped with an automatic Calibre 772 movement as well as an 18ct gold rotor. It also has a 40-hour power reserve which is paired with Jaeger-LeCoultre’s self-winding mechanism to keep it powered when not worn. And lastly, this model has 5-bar water resistance, much like most of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s watch models in the market.

The 8108420 has a stainless steel case with a 41.6mm diameter. It is a bit larger than the True Second models due to its display features which are: hours, minutes, dead beat seconds, and world time. It has a white dial and an inner blue dial to indicate the globe along with silver hour markings. This model also has an alligator leather band to complement the stainless steel case and buckle.

As for the 8102520 variant, its 18K rose gold case provides a stunning, more vintage-looking design that goes perfectly well with men and women. And to add more appeal, the 8102520 comes with a brown alligator leather band with a rose gold pin buckle — making it the perfect fit for every formal event and outfit.

The price of 8108420 and 8102520 are higher than the True Second models. The 8108420 can be bought for as low as $11,799.00 USD, which is significantly cheaper than its rose gold counterpart. Meanwhile, the 8102520 has an approximate price of $25,000.00 USD since it is made with 18ct rose gold from case to buckle. 

Up Close with the Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic's Designs

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic collection is more than what meets the eye. Having a closer look at the models will give you an insight into how each model is handcrafted and carefully engineered to accomplish the ultimate watch design that perfectly captures the essence of the Geophysical year.

First off, the True Second version is a new and improved version of the 1958 Geophysic watch. Instead of having a closed back case, the True Second version has a transparent crystal case that shows the mechanical gears and components inside. Aside from that, it also comes with its signature alligator leather band that is 100% authentic. There is also a stainless steel band choice to match the preferences of the wearer. Jaeger-LeCoultre also fitted their patented Gyrolab escapement inside the True Second which beats at least 28,800 vibrations per hour (“vph”). 

The same can also be said with the Geophysic Universal Time whose design is a bit more intricate than that of the True Second. It shows off a globe dial with a white outer dial that indicates the countries. This model comes with rose gold or stainless steel and an alligator leather band. There are 24 cities indicated around the dial and are placed strategically to provide an accurate input of time in that particular city. Much like the True Second, it also has a crystal clear case that shows off the components and mechanisms inside the watch. 

Each model in the Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic collection provides a lot more craftsmanship aside from its luxurious designs.

History Behind the Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic Collection

It all began in 1958 when Jaeger-LeCoultre paid tribute to the International Geophysical Year. They launched the first Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic model which quickly became a classic symbol of accuracy during that time. It featured the 478BWSbr movement that was precisely used for military purposes with its shock absorption mechanism. With groundbreaking features like a Glucydur balance and a micrometric adjustment, the 1958 Geophysic became the perfect gift to the first man to set off on an expedition to the North Pole. 

In 2015, Jaeger-LeCoultre released a direct homage to the 1958 Geophysic watch. This limited-edition model is equipped with 898/1 Caliber movement alongside a 43-hour power reserve. Jaeger-LeCoultre replicated the same formula of the original model with a few improvements and inspirations from other modern JLC models. 

Jaeger-LeCoultre then improved upon this by reinventing the Geophysic name and launched a collection of two watches with stainless steel and rose gold variants. The Geophysic True Second model’s 770 Caliber is a huge step forward from its predecessors, allowing more precision and reliability as a whole. The Geophysic Universal Time, on the other hand, has a 772 Caliber movement. It may not seem much, but this movement allows for a more accurate time telling, especially since it covers 24 cities around the world.

3 Reasons to Buy a Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic Watch

1. It is fairly affordable

Unlike most luxurious watch brands, Jaeger-LeCoultre offers an affordable price range without skimping on their signature features and designs. They are still as stylish and precise as they can get, no matter how much it is marketed as.

2. Flexible design choices

The designs and materials used on each watch offer more choices for those who are very familiar with their preferences. Each model has its variant or counterpart. It can be stainless steel, rose gold, diamond-fitted, and many more. That said, the prices on each variant may differ from one another. 

3. It is a great investment

Given how iconic the Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic collection is throughout the years, it can easily be a great pick when planning on collecting and selling these models in the future. It may fetch double its marketed price in the next 10 years or so.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic: A Timeless Classic

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic collection is truly a timeless classic. Each model is unique in its way, making it difficult to choose between the two of them. Plus, the designs exude elegance and simplicity at the same time, making them the perfect choice for people who like wearing unsophisticated designs. Both the True Second and the Universal Time lines exceed the expectation brought to them by their predecessors. Jaeger-LeCoultre’s expertise brought history back to life with only a couple of watch models.