| Author | Message | ||
     Helm_barrie New member Username: Helm_barrie Post Number: 1 Registered: 04-2007 Rating: N/A |
I have been a watch enthusiast for many years and have collected a number over the years. JLC are a much respected brand today and their history is distinguished as a manufacturer and supplier to all the great houses in the past. However I have noticed that the vintage JLCs have movements that are unadjusted and yet PP,VC etc are often adjusted for 5 positions. Also gold plate and 9 ct gold is often used in the JLCs of the 40,s and 50,s. Did JLC make more sophisticated movements for others rather than their own watches ? | ||
| Gatorcpa New member Username: Gatorcpa Post Number: 12 Registered: 11-2006 Rating: N/A |
I think you make some good points about vintage JLC/LeCoultre. Back in the post-WWII era, JLC was probably a more "upper-middle" market brand, not considered on the same level as PP, VC, etc. They were not priced anywhere close to that level either. However some of the ebauches that were made by JLC were sold to VC, which put more effort into the finishing and casing. The VC's also sold for about double the JLC's back then. I don't know if they would be considered more "sophisticated", anymore than today's Omega using ETA movements. Also, the 9K and gold filled cases you mentioned were locally produced (UK and USA respectively) mostly to save a little money on customs. Also, in the USA, LeCoultre and VC were imported by the same company and sometimes advertised together. In a way, they were somewhat like Buick and Cadillac, (or VW and Audi for the Europeans). Related product lines, which shared some parts, but were clearly delineated in their marketing by price. Hope this helps, gatorcpa |