| Author | Message | ||
     Serge Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
A couple of years ago I bought a SS Memovox from 1958. The watch had a World Time dial in bad conditions. I sent the watch to JLC in Switzerland for a redo and it came back serviced, renewed and authentified as from 1958. All this was perfect but the dial was changed for a new classic one. Does anyone know where I could find an original World time dial in good conditions and what would be the price to expect? Thank you for your help. | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 314 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
That's a bad thing they did. You have a world time dial and it came back as NOT a worldtime dial? I'd write them and complain and have them correct the matter. If it is a proper worldtime you had, they devalued your watch and should correct the problem. What case reference was it? | ||
| Serge Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Case numer is 1139589 (last 2 numbers are not very clear), Concerning the correction I think this is now too late to complain, that's why I'm trying to find an alternative solution. Why are you interested in the serial number? Thank you anyway for your attention! Serge | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 318 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Hi. That's the case serial number. Inside the case there should be a four digit case reference number either this format XXXX if it is a snap back or EXXX if it is a screw back. I'm interested becuase it will indicte if the watch started off as a worldtime watch or if someone just put a disk on it. Most were not worldtimes to begin with. | ||
| Serge Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
OK, I'll check the number but I need to find somebody to open the case. I'll come back with information later in the week. However, do you know who could offer a dial and what would be the price for it? Thank you, Serge | ||
| Maurizio Grassi New member Username: Fats Post Number: 7 Registered: 02-2004 Rating: N/A |
More than ten years ago, I had to repair my old JLC (1940). The dial was very oxidized and some gear was damaged. I asked to the italian importer: he told me I had to pay 200 $. Well, I did'nt repair my watch. Four or five years ago, I repeated the same question to the importer; he send the watch to Swiss... they asked me 2000 $ !! I did'nt repair my watch. Two month ago, I casually found a private repairing, not far from my home. I have finally repaired my watch paying 200$. The old original dial has been completely renewed the same as the original paint. | ||
| smat New member Username: Smatpie Post Number: 1 Registered: 02-2004 Rating: N/A |
Hello Zaf: I'm new to the forum. I have been seeking a vintage memovox worldtime for quite some time. It would be very useful if you can share your knowledge on how we can indicate if the watch was worldtime original or someone just puts a disc on it. Many thanks smat | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 324 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
On American Market "LeCoultre" watches, this will be pratically impossible to determine. The print on the disk should be perfect however, anything fuzzy or not lining up properly, walk away from it. On European market watches, the Worldtime's had their own case reference number. The one that we know for sure is a worldtime is case reference 3160. Perhaps Ilja knows what thge reference for a screw back one is? The 3160 is a snap back. | ||
| Ilja Probst Moderator Username: Ilja Post Number: 40 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Sorry, the snap back ref. 3160 is the only we were able to identify without any doubt. Well, we have tracked about 25 different Memovox references, it is signifcant in their reference system that a few more must exsist, so let�s do a roll call: Perhaps some of our guests own a worldtime or parking Memovox, if so, please post (or email) the reference number (found on the inner side of the case back). Snap back watches usually have a 4 or 5 digit number, screw backs start with the "E" followed by a 3 digit number. Solid gold watches seldom have a reference number... So let�s focus on stainless steel watches. We look forward to your entries folks! Ilja | ||
| FS Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Hi, I have a LeCoultre Memovox manual watch with case #1274088. The LeCoultre engraving on the outer dial is almost gone and I wanted to get a new dial for it. Can anyone suggest where I can purchase the same. Please send me and email and I'll email pictures of the watch. Thanks. Fred  | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 337 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Fred: You will NOT be able to buy a dial, unless you send it in for factory service which often runs > $1000. You can have the dial on it repainted however, for $100 or so. Zaf | ||
| bulez Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
hello, i'm new in the formum and i hoped someone could help me with info on my JLC watch. i send it to repair 6 month ago and paid a lot for it. i wonder if the cost of repair was worth it. they told me its a caliber 813 but i dont have any idea about its worth. its a 50's automatic, pink gold with the # A 700833 could anyone help? thank you | ||
| micke setti New member Username: Micke65 Post Number: 1 Registered: 08-2005 Rating: N/A |
Hello, My Memovox with Worldtime dial, case number 3026,and 706072, movement number 1395287 kal 814. Bottom has inscription Le Coultre. The case is steel and the bezel is 10k gold plated Is this an original Worldtime dial and what year is it manufactured? What could be the value? The condition is nearly perfect on the dial and the case. Best regrds  | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1260 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
To be honest with the dial looks repainted to me. Definitely the outside has been repainted. The inner disk *may* be original, but I'd need to see it in person. A 10k gold filled case would belong to a North American market watch that is signed "LeCoultre" NOT "Jaeger-LeCoultre". So, in my opinion, there are some originality issue here. | ||
| micke setti New member Username: Micke65 Post Number: 2 Registered: 08-2005 Rating: N/A |
Thank you Zaf for your reply. Do you know what the production year is? Best rgds Micke | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1261 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Not unless you give me the movement serial number. I suspect you will find that the movement is signed "LeCoultre" for the American market. | ||
| micke setti New member Username: Micke65 Post Number: 3 Registered: 08-2005 Rating: N/A |
The movement number is 1395287 kal 814 marked Le Coultre | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1262 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Thanks. In my opinion then, it is a normal American market "LeCoultre" alarm that has been dressed up to look like a Jaeger-LeCoultre World Time Alarm. | ||
| GregB Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Zaf, You forgot to give him the approximate production date he requested. My records would show roughly 1962 for that movement serial. I would agree with your assessment that the outer dial is definitely refinished and also not original to this U.S. market watch. The inner worldtime dial looks correct (not refinished) but probably was added to this watch by whoever refinished the outer dial. Another note to clarify your last post (which may be misread). Worldtime dials weren't exclusive to swiss-market ("Jaeger-LeCoultre") Memovoxes and Wrist Alarms. They were also issued on U.S. Market ("LeCoultre") watches... just probably not this particular one. Greg | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1263 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
I come up with 1962 as well. I didn't mean to imply that there are no American market World Timers if that is what I said read. In fact on the European market one, the "Memovox" pointer does not point to New York, but to Geneva (generally). Now what is curious, is that so far, for the European market version, I have not been able to confirm that this watch ever existed as an automatic. So far I've only seen ads for it and factory records as a manual wind. Case reference E856 or 3160. | ||
| micke setti New member Username: Micke65 Post Number: 4 Registered: 08-2005 Rating: N/A |
This watch is bought in USA 1995, and it�s manual winding. What is the value today? | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1265 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Hard to say really. It's an American Market LeCoultre that's been dressed up to look like a European market JLC Worldtime. As such, I'd value it no more that a regular LeCoultre Alarm, so probably in the $500-600 range. The world time disk, if it is original, is worth at least $100, so as a package, maybe the whole thing is worth $600-700. This is just speculation on my behalf beause the watch, as it is, has originality issues. I'm sure if you stick it on eBay, you get more than what I am quoting you, but people that know what they are doing most likely would not pay more than $600. | ||
| GregB Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Zaf is spot-on about the price estimate. A very similar non-original gold-filled manual wind worldtime sold on eBay for $787 in April of this year. Greg | ||
| kessler New member Username: Keke Post Number: 1 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
I have a question: somedody is selling a jaeger le coultre memovox worldtime with caliber 825 automatic with indication of day ( 1 to 31). 1959-1968. It seems that I heard that there should not exist AUTOMATIK WORLDTIME.... I can show you pictures. | ||
| Hex onX New member Username: Hexonx Post Number: 152 Registered: 09-2005 Rating: N/A |
Automatic worldtimes do exist. I happen to own one. | ||
| GregB Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Although most of the Memovoxes I see being sold have made-up/non-original worldtime dials, there definitely were Worldtime Memovox Automatics using the cal 825 issued by the factory. I have owned several. Here are a few original Worldtime Automatics that show a couple of the dial styles that were issued:  This one is in the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Museum. It is one of the watches that LBJ wore while in office. Note the factory presidential seal engraving on the back of the case:   Here's the sister watch to the watch above. It was also given to LBJ by the factory and has the same presidential seal on the back. The radial-style worldtime dial on this watch pre-dates the concentric style shown above. This watch is in my permanent collection:   Greg | ||
| Keke New member Username: Keke Post Number: 2 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
I am looking for a nice worltime memovox but i can not find any. I love this watch! Do you have other pictures of others worldtime? there are so many different.. | ||
| Keke New member Username: Keke Post Number: 3 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
If anybody of you wnats to sell one, please tell me! | ||
| Keke New member Username: Keke Post Number: 4 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
Hi! I have just received my worldtime memovox bought from a german shop. It looks great but i can not let the alarm work... when I pull the upbutton and set the alarmedate and push it again, nothing rings when the right time arrives. When I moove my arm with the button pulled, it makes a "toc" noise each time I moove my arm. If the button is pulled it does not make the "toc". Please help me! | ||
| Keke New member Username: Keke Post Number: 5 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
I am sorry, it works! i will post you some beautiful picture of my automatic jeager le coultre worldtime! | ||
| Keke New member Username: Keke Post Number: 6 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
En fran�ais: j'avais oubli� d'armer l'alarme avant. | ||
| Keke New member Username: Keke Post Number: 7 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
Here is my lovely watch. Does anybody know the year of fabrication?  | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 2331 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Are you sure the world time disk is not a re-print? Normally, not of the letters should touch the edge of the dial. | ||
| Keke New member Username: Keke Post Number: 8 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
Do you see any difference with the dial of the gold with gold wrist posted before? Normally, when the worldtime dial is reprinted, it looks pretty bad printed, on my watch it is very well printed. | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 2334 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Well, there are very good reprints out there. On this one, the luminous material on the triangle is a little strange and the letters of the cities should never be covered by the outer disk like on "San Francis". All this is hard to tell for sure without the watch in hand. | ||
| Keke New member Username: Keke Post Number: 9 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
In your opinion, how many seconds should the watch keep the right time within 24 hours? What spread should be acceptable? plus or minus how many seconds a day? | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 2349 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Something under 30 secs per day is acceptable though they're generally capable of better. | ||
| Keke New member Username: Keke Post Number: 18 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
what about thos one?  | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 2676 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Looks freshly re-done to me, but it is hard to see for sure from the photos. | ||
| Keke New member Username: Keke Post Number: 19 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
The seller says ORIGINAL and I trust him. BUT does it look like a REAL worldtime? | ||
| Blgg New member Username: Blgg Post Number: 72 Registered: 04-2007 Rating: N/A |
If WorldTime models have a greater perceived valuation, why wouldn't ethics-challenged "entrepreneurs" simply redial the center dial of standard JLC Memovoxes? | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 2680 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Ask for a much larger closeup of the dial. Looking at the luminous material, it is unlikely that it is original. | ||
| Herman New member Username: Herman Post Number: 15 Registered: 10-2006 Rating: N/A |
Keke, just a question. Why do these names of these cities printed on the dial mean so much to you? Why is a world time better than a memovox plain and simple? | ||
| Clavi New member Username: Clavi Post Number: 11 Registered: 11-2006 Rating: N/A |
IMHO a worldtime is no better than a non wordtime since the so called 'worldtime' function is useless (only a rotating disc not connected at all to a timing function, but directly liked to the alarm setting). I think all the hype is a bit the same as in the case of the 'red' or 'double red' submariners: They have nothing special but since there are less of them, they become desirable. But in the case of the memovox, you have no means to find out whether the watch was born with a worldtime dial or not, therefore faking them is too easy (well, providing you have good redialing skills which in itself is not that simple). To me: unattractive, non-mechanical function + too many fakes --> unattractive watch to collect (or only if one can PROVE it is a worldtime) | ||
| Herrk New member Username: Herrk Post Number: 5 Registered: 03-2007 Rating: N/A |
Ok Keke, let�s get it straight: This is a running ebay auction. The seller is offering a buy it now option for 3.750,- � on the watch! The dial has black hour markers looking out below the bright white luminous mass! The seller is currently offering another Memovox to have an original dial, though the dial is marked JLC whilst the Cal. 825 is marked LeCoultre only (#320134220670) and I have seen this more than once with this seller. Why do you trust the seller? Christian | ||
| Keke New member Username: Keke Post Number: 32 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
Thank you Herrk for your post. In fact, I understand now that it is amlost impossible to find an original Worldtime. In that case, because I love the look of a worldtime so much,my goal is to buy the one I find beautiful and not too expensive. | ||
| Gregb New member Username: Gregb Post Number: 34 Registered: 10-2006 Rating: N/A |
Keke, The "Worldtime" in post 22/24 is absolutely a refinish. It isn't even a very good one. As Zaf pointed out, the applied alarm pointer covers part of the city names. Such a dial would never leave the factory. In addition, the Bangkok city name is not spelled correctly. There are also other small problems throughout. Your watch in post #25 is missing the Memovox logo on the center dial entirely. My experience has been that models with applied gold markers also usually had an applied gold alarm dial pointer instead of a painted one. Greg | ||
| Keke New member Username: Keke Post Number: 33 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
OK, so that 90% of worldtime are liitle or big customised. Nevetheless they are bautiful! | ||
| Herman New member Username: Herman Post Number: 19 Registered: 10-2006 Rating: N/A |
just buy one and be happy | ||
| Keke New member Username: Keke Post Number: 35 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
Exactly, but if I find a nice second one I will buy it too. |