| Author | Message | ||
     Tbhh New member Username: Tbhh Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2007 Rating: N/A |
Need more information about an old ladies wrist watch belonging to my wife. All I know about this watch is shown in the pictures enclosed. It's a very small watch. The diameter is about 12-13 mm. Case and strap are of white gold. Some brilliants are close to the dial. The case serial I can read seems to be # 809736. I would like to learn more about this watch: age, type of mouvement / caliber, how many watches of this type exist? Somebody here who can help me with that? Thanks!   | ||
| Gregb New member Username: Gregb Post Number: 20 Registered: 10-2006 Rating: N/A |
This model is called the "Diamond Elegante" and sold for $375 in the late 1960s. It is a variation of the "Par Excellence" line of backwind watches based on the caliber 426 movement. These models were made for about 2 decades, starting in the early 1950s and they are relatively common. You can usually find 2 or 3 being auctioned on eBay or in an eBay store at any given time. Unfortunately, with the current fashionable trend toward larger watches, these small watches seem to now fetch little more than gold melt value at auction... barely more than their original 1950s/60s retail prices. A few years ago, plain models withpout gold bands were fetching $400-$500, but today, it is more unusual to see examples breaking $300-$400 even with a heavy gold band. Your watch is solid 18 karat gold, as evidenced by the "A" on the back cover. The case number on the back is of little use in determining the exact age of your watch. Rather, the movement serial number, stamped on the movement itself is how production date is determined. I DON'T recommend trying to open this watch yourself to get the movement serial number as there are lots of things that can go wrong. For example, the gold screw holding the winding crown in place has reverse threads that will strip if you try to unscrew it in the traditional direction. The other 2 small case screws have standard threads, but they are also easy to strip if tightened too much, because they are made of soft solid gold. The movement, because of its small size, is also quite delicate and prone to damage from dust and debris when the case is open. Greg | ||
| Tbhh New member Username: Tbhh Post Number: 2 Registered: 03-2007 Rating: N/A |
Greg, I'm very thankful for your comments and advices on my wife's watch. Of course I will not open the case to get the mouvement serial no. - I myself am more familar with IWC-watches (which are my personal collection favourites). From IWC-watches I do own serial no. tables of cases and mouvements. They allow me to determine the age of my watches very exactly (plus/minus 1 y). Do you know if tables comparables for JLC-watches (case / mouvement) are available too? To whom should I ask for this? | ||
| Gregb New member Username: Gregb Post Number: 21 Registered: 10-2006 Rating: N/A |
No movement serial number database exists in print or on the web to the best of my knowledge. A small handful of people, Zaf, myself and perhaps a couple of others, have compiled our own personal tables of JLC production figures from a variety of sources. I've spent years collecting thousands of pieces of vintage JLC material like dealer catalogs, ads, repair sheets, dealer bulletins, books, etc... anything I could get my hands on. Greg | ||
| Tbhh New member Username: Tbhh Post Number: 3 Registered: 03-2007 Rating: N/A |
Greg, wonderful! I did the same with vintage IWC (ladies & gents watches, pocket watches). I've collecting data (caliber, serial no., age, dials, variations, pics, price etc) since 5 yrs. I put this altogether in an Excel-file. Do you think that an exchange of data could be useful for you? |