| Author | Message | ||
     Sl958 New member Username: Sl958 Post Number: 1 Registered: 07-2013 Rating: N/A |
Here are a few pictures of a watch I recently inherited from my grand-father. He died at 35 in 1964, so I know that the watch is probably from the 50s or early 60s. It was probably bought in France so it could be either an original swiss case, or a french-made case for the french market (the dial is written "Fabriqu� en Suisse" above the 6). The case is 18K gold with the eagle head hallmark. The exterior diameter is 34mm. It was given to me with the original box, but no papers. The winding is manual, and everything works properly, except for the date, which is stuck on 21. That is all I know about it. My problem is that I don't have a clue about how to open it, so I don't have any easy way to get the caliber serial number. In fact I don't even know what caliber it is: after extensive research on the internet, I have been unable to find a single other watch with that memovox-like dial (with a central calendar) and such a case with a single crown. I am starting to suspect that there might be some mismatch between the case and caliber on one hand and the dial on the other hand. It is quite a surprise to me because the watch has as far as I know never been serviced or altered in any way. Would one of the experts on the forum (Zaf?, Ilja?, someone else?) have any idea about the caliber that could be inside?       | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 5940 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
It's either a caliber 489 or 814. Most likely a 489. The case looks like a French case to me. | ||
| Ilja Moderator Username: Ilja Post Number: 373 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Zaf, it's a calendar not a Memovox.  | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 5941 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Ah yes. Caliber 810, from 1952-54, still a French case. | ||
| Sl958 New member Username: Sl958 Post Number: 2 Registered: 07-2013 Rating: N/A |
Thank you both for your answer. If I am not mistaken, 489 or 814 are automatic with two crowns. That one is manual winding with only one crown (but still a calendar on the dial). That's why I have no idea of the caliber. | ||
| Sl958 New member Username: Sl958 Post Number: 3 Registered: 07-2013 Rating: N/A |
> Caliber 810, from 1952-54, still a French case. Thank you so much Zaf. :-) The calendar is not working (stuck on 21). Is it something you think you could fix? The watch need a complete revision anyway (it was in a box for the last 30 years). I had a look at your prices. How much would it be for a caliber 810? | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 5943 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
We can probably fix it but I'm in the US! I have not had one in a while, it's probably worth around $1300-1500. | ||
| Sl958 New member Username: Sl958 Post Number: 4 Registered: 07-2013 Rating: N/A |
Thank you very much for the appraisal Zaf, but I happen to like it and plan to keep and wear it. I was in fact asking about the price you would charge for a full revision for that model. I duly noted that you are in the US. | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 5944 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
About as much as an alarm, so under $400 unless parts are needed, then it goes up from there. | ||
| Sl958 New member Username: Sl958 Post Number: 5 Registered: 07-2013 Rating: N/A |
Thank you Zaf. I will ask my local JLC point of sale next week and depending on their answer I might come back to you in private to arrange the shipping etc. Thanks again. | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 5945 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
JLC Switzerland will be around 1500 EUROS. |