Alright, so, I’ve been messing around with watches lately, and today I’m diving into trying to get a decent fake of a Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Date. Yeah, I know, not exactly legit, but it’s an interesting project. Let me walk you through what I did.
Getting Started
First off, I needed to figure out which version of this watch to even try to imitate. I saw some folks online talking about a pre-2018 model that’s a bit different from the newer ones. Apparently, the 12 o’clock marker is shorter on the older version. So, I decided to go for that one. Seemed a little less common, and I liked the idea of having something slightly unique, even if it’s a copy.
Finding the Right Fake
Now, finding a good fake isn’t as easy as it sounds. I started by browsing some forums and seeing what people were saying about different replica makers. There’s this one maker, ZF, that kept coming up. They recently released a V3 of their Master Ultra Thin Moonphase, and people were saying it’s a pretty darn good clone. They said ZF updated the case shape, the dial, and even the movement to a super clone of the JLC 925.
I thought, “Why not?” It seemed like the closest I could get to the real deal without dropping crazy money. So I started looking for a seller who had this ZF V3.
The Purchase
Ended up finding one that had it, and it was listed for around $428. A real one of these watches can go for like $9,000 to over $20,000, so yeah, big difference. I went ahead and ordered it. Felt a little weird, not gonna lie, but I was too curious to see the quality.
First Impressions
When it arrived, I was actually pretty impressed. The thing is thin, just like the real one, around 9mm. The overall look of the watch is really close to the authentic JLC. The dial details, the hands, the markers – they all look surprisingly good. The weight felt decent too, not too light or flimsy.
Checking the Details
I spent some time comparing it to pictures of the real deal online. The 12 o’clock marker is definitely shorter, like the pre-2018 model. I tried to find the serial number, since on the real ones it’s on the movement. I couldn’t find it. It’s probably hidden somewhere or maybe they don’t even bother with serial numbers on these fakes.
The Movement
Now, the movement is where things get interesting. Some people online were complaining that the rotor on these fakes is loud. I noticed it a bit too, but apparently, even the real JLCs have loud rotors. The movement itself looks like a decent imitation, but it’s definitely not the same caliber as the real thing. It’s just made to look like it. A real JLC uses their Calibre 899, which is way more advanced.
Overall Thoughts
Honestly, for the price, this fake JLC Master Ultra Thin Date is pretty impressive. It’s not perfect, obviously. A watch expert could probably spot it as a fake in seconds. But for someone like me who just likes the look of the watch and doesn’t want to spend thousands, it’s a fun little project. It’s definitely got me thinking more about watch design and how these things are made, even if it’s on the shadier side of things.
It’s wild to think about the history behind the real JLC, a company that started way back in 1833. They have so much experience compared to other brands. I mean, they’re considered one of the top dogs in high-end watchmaking, and there is no denying it.
Would I wear this fake JLC out and try to pass it off as real? Nah, probably not. But it’s a cool conversation piece, and it’s been a fun experiment in the world of replica watches.
- The fake is a good copy of the older version with the short 12 o’clock marker.
- The ZF V3 model is one of the better fakes available.
- The rotor is a little loud, but the movement looks like a decent imitation from a distance.
- For the price, it’s a surprisingly good-looking watch.
Maybe someday I’ll get my hands on a real JLC, but for now, this little fake will do. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the journey of figuring things out is just as interesting as the destination, even if that journey involves a bit of imitation.
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