Last week, at the Salon International de Alta Relojeria (SIAR) exhibition in Mexico, JeanRichard has presented a pair of limited edition watches. Based on their current Terrascope line, the new Terrascope Jaguar and Golden Eagle have their stainless steel cushion-shaped cases treated with scratch-resistant DLC coating and also feature unusual guilloche decor on their dials.
In a world where a cushion-shaped watch is almost always associated with Panerai, it is difficult to create a timekeeper of this shape that would look original, and natural at that.
JeanRichard has found its way with their laconic Aquascope family and, fairly recently, further strengthened its position with the Terrascope and Aeroscope models, as well as with the new Neroscope model. Presented back in August 2013, the chronograph featured a lightweight titanium case with the same DLC treatment.
Featuring exquisitely done satin finish on their matte black surfaces, the new JeanRichard Terrascope SIAR «Jaguar» & «Golden Eagle» are a nice blend between the Terrascope and Neroscope models. Their rhodium-plated hands and hour markers are glossy enough for the time to be read against the guilloched dial and there is just enough white Superluminova for the watch to be readable in any lighting condition.
At 44 millimeters wide, the Terrascope SIAR Jaguar & Golden Eagle is large, but not terribly so. In fact, it stays within the limits set by similarly shaped pieces from Panerai.
The camouflage-style guilloche patterns on the dials are not the only elements of decor here. Each watch is further decorated with a medallion that features a face of its respective totem: a killer cat or a bird of prey.
Like previous versions, the Terrascope SIAR is animated by JeanRichard’s own* Caliber JR60 automatic movement that features a standard power reserve of 38 hours and is accurate for a modern mechanical movement.
*Update and Amendment: I am sorry about misleading you, but the JR60 is actually not an in-house movement. The mechanism is in fact based on a Sellita blank movement and refinished to JeanRichard’s standards. While some of you may think that this fact makes the watch inferior to competitors, it, in my opinion, is not. While the use of a run-off-the-mill movement certainly detracts from the timekeeper’s collectability, it is, on the other hand, a pretty good thing if you plan to buy the watch to actually wear it on a regular basis.
As I say time and again, what you want in a daily beater is a movement that can be fixed by a professional in the nearest service center. If your timepiece doesn’t cost like a small boat and you can’t afford to book a charter to take it back to Switzerland for oiling and adjustment (or, at least, it is not made by a major brand like the aforementioned Panerai or Breitling), don’t waste your money on a “custom” job, just get something that looks great and is powered by a mechanism that you can trust.
See also: Chr. Ward C61 Trident-Pro Automatic Diver
Photos: JeanRichard
WWR verdict:
Originality 5/5
Build quality: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Legibility: 5/5
Value for money: 5/5
JeanRichard Terrascope SIAR Jaguar & Golden Eagle specification
Movement: Automatic, Caliber JR60, based on Sellita SW200 ebauche, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 26
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 38 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Case: Stainless steel, black DLC-treated
Shape: Cushion
Bezel shape: Round
Size: 44.00 mm
Case height: 12.60 mm
Dial: Engraved
Hour markers: Rhodiumed, luminous
Hands: Rhodiumed, luminous
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Black or gray rubber strap with blacked-out steel folding buckle
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Screw-down, engraved