| Author | Message | ||
     Ojj New member Username: Ojj Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2006 Rating: N/A |
I have at hand a JLC cal 470, movment serial nr. 246 XXX , and that probably dates it to the early 1940s - I think at least ? However Im a bit sceptical to this piece and have some questions: Dial is black, marked JLC - definately real, Lumnious hands. Case is stainless steel 36 mm, fixed bars, very similar to my JLC MK 11. Inner metal movement protection cap, also very similar to MK 11. However the srew in case back have no text on the inside - shouldnt it say LeCoultre - acier etc etc. ?? Caseback markings : A.M. 6b/159 4XXX/56 - Air Ministry flying equipment, navigators watch ? But what about the rest 4 digit slash 2 digits ? Have someone seen this before or is the markings just bogus ? No braod arrow on any part of the watch - why ? Fake ? or did they make them without ? Could it be Australian ? A lot of doubt and questions - sorry for not being able to post pics, my cell phone is my only camera these days | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 2251 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Sounds like this is one of the recased 6B/159s from WWII. This was done in 1956, other brands included Omega & Longines. A photo would sure help determine what exactly you have. Zaf | ||
| Ojj New member Username: Ojj Post Number: 2 Registered: 11-2006 Rating: N/A |
Thanks - had a look at your price list - must say that it looks very very like the Omega RAF 56 recase case, identical I think. If its a recase - then unmarked case back is OK ? Didnt see any sales in your list of this type - how about value ?     | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 2253 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
It is exactly the Omega 56 case. Used for Omega, Longines and JLC. The fit of the JLC is poor compared to the latter 2 this is why suspicion remains as to wether they were ever issued this way. In my opinion, after having seen a few dozen of them, yes they do exist. They're just not that great a watch. Value of the Omegas and Longines are about $700, the JLC would be in the same ballpark. | ||
| Ojj New member Username: Ojj Post Number: 3 Registered: 11-2006 Rating: N/A |
If the same case was used for all recasing i 56 the the relatively poor fit could be explained by that, io too expensive to make a special case just for the JLCs ? But if these are AM remakes of the original 6b/159 new hands must have been fitted too - and some degree of redialing too both on the JLCs and Omegas ? If they were not issued this way - whats the alternative- modern marriage ?? If the case is good then a better marriage and probably easier would be to make a "Omega 56" they are not considered suspicious at all... Anyway the most important thing is that I like it, it is more usable (to me) than the JLC 6b/159 - size and stainless steel makes it better looking in my eyes. And for me , with a goal of collecting all JLC military variants its a must have... if/or when they change from being suspicious to unsuspicious. | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 2255 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
I think you are right on all accounts. Same case for all watches, original 6B/159s were redialled and recased in 1956. If you like the watch, that's all that is needed to properly enjoy it. | ||
| Ojj New member Username: Ojj Post Number: 4 Registered: 11-2006 Rating: N/A |
Have you or anyone else asked the RAF museum about these or others institutions that might know ? | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 2256 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
I have not. |