| Author | Message | ||
     Rdenney New member Username: Rdenney Post Number: 1 Registered: 08-2014 Rating: N/A |
Santa Klaus (aka, my wife) has in her keeping, hidden from me, a vintage JLC that I admired at a recent show. She followed behind me and bought it. Thus, I have to make do with this picture of a very similar watch, attached. The only difference between mine and the one pictured is that mine has straight rather than teardrop lugs, and is yellow gold (as is the one pictured, despite how it is appearing on my monitor). The movement is a gold-plated P450/4C, finished in cotes de Geneve and close to immaculate. The movement serial number is 354019, which I'm guessing fits in around 1944 or 1945. Here's the same movement in the Ranfft database: http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&&2uswk&LeCoultre_450_4C The case is hallmarked with Lady Helvetia (inside and out) and .750 gold, but I can't read the letter under the lady to determine the assay office. The case maker is a bit unusual--it shows the "key of Geneva"-style collective responsibility mark, but with a "3" in the mark, which is a gap in every maker's list for that mark I've found. The case number is 309035 with an "A" beneath it. It's a big case for the period at 36mm. The dial is identical to the one in the picture, and in just about as good a condition, with "Jaeger-LeCoultre"--a most unusual find for a JLC watch that age in the U.S. Someone from Europe must have brought it here. The movement is also marked with the full name and there is no U.S. import code. The crown is signed with the JL logo, but it's awfully sharp to be original on a handwind watch, considering that this watch was used enough to warrant fairly routine servicing. I'm assuming the crown has been (properly) replaced at some point. There are at least half a dozen service marks on the inside of the case, but I don't see a recent one. This will probably have to go to Mr. Basha, who I'm happy to discover is in my area. The only real flaw in the piece is a terrible one--it is missing the central seconds hand, which for this watch should be the blued version. I'm hoping one can be sourced. Comments and corrections in my researches welcome. Rick "respectfully submitted" Denney  | ||
| Rdenney New member Username: Rdenney Post Number: 2 Registered: 08-2014 Rating: N/A |
Okay, I see that one that is even more identical to mine sold on Classicwatch.com, and it had a gold seconds hand. http://www.classicwatch.com/asp/watches/howtoOrder.asp?Where=%28Ref%3D%27rx0013% 27%29&User=76&ManCode=62&Model=Round Rick "but the font is still like the one pictured in the first post" Denney | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 6154 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Hi, did you have a specific question? | ||
| Rdenney New member Username: Rdenney Post Number: 3 Registered: 08-2014 Rating: N/A |
Mostly I was just introducing myself and the reason for joining the forum. However, 1.) Did I make any mistakes in my research? and 2.) can you source a seconds hand for this watch? Rick "who lives in the DC area and could bring it to you once Santa approves" Denney | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 6156 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Close on the year, looks like 1946, but that only when the movement was made. It could have been cased later. On the sweep, you will not be able to find that as a loose part, so you'd need a used donor or you can fit something similar. It's possible to blue the hand but gold is totally acceptable for this model. I can repair in DC, but mail order only... | ||
| Rdenney New member Username: Rdenney Post Number: 4 Registered: 08-2014 Rating: N/A |
Thanks, gold would work, too, and may be easier to find. Actually, it's not bad as a two-hander. If I sent the watch to you, do you have something that would work in your spares box? Something salvaged, of course, or sourced elsewhere and still appropriate. By the way, just ordered the book, and am looking forward to it. Rick "appreciative" Denney | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 6157 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
The shop usually has something we can put on there that looks good. It won't be original but it'll be pleasing. | ||
| Rdenney New member Username: Rdenney Post Number: 5 Registered: 08-2014 Rating: N/A |
In August of 2010, Gregb posted a snippet of a catalog image showing the watch Santa bought. It is down the thread a bit, and shows it as ref. 2953. Here's the link to the thread and the picture: http://www.classicwatch.com/discus/messages/622/45701.html  I would love to obtain a scan of that catalog page, if Greg or someone else has it. As we have determined, the date would be 1946ish. I've seen that same reference used for newer watches with raised arabics. Rick "still digging for tidbits on this one" Denney | ||
| Rdenney New member Username: Rdenney Post Number: 9 Registered: 08-2014 Rating: N/A |
Well, I was able to find a seconds hand for the watch, on ebay where I never expected to. It is a blued hand intended for a caliber 800. The seller noted the length, which was close enough (maybe .1mm too long), and I checked and confirmed that the 800 and the 450 have the same part number for the seconds hand pinion arbor (part #275). And sure enough, it fit, and it looks great. The movement is super clean and the watch is running about 15 seconds/day slow when wound once a day, but that rate sags to only about 20 seconds/day even after 48 hours (the movement is only supposed to have a 40-hour power reserve). I didn't put it on the timing machine (yet) to measure positional variation, but poor isochronism is certainly not going to be a problem. After installing the seconds hand and carefully removing the little bit of dust that had found its way inside the case, I put it back in Santa's keeping until Christmas. The Camille Fournet strap I have ordered is expected on Friday--I will allow this Speidel Twistaflex band earn its retirement in hidden repose. Sorry for the iPhone pic. No time for the full setup this week.  Rick "who will provide better photos after Christmas" Denney | ||
| Rdenney New member Username: Rdenney Post Number: 10 Registered: 08-2014 Rating: N/A |
And a wrist shot with the new Camille Fournet strap, in brown lizard as seems appropriate for the period.  Rick "who installed the strap today" Denney |