| Author | Message | ||
     Brad McCormick Rating: N/A |
When I was a child in the late 50s, my father had a [gold] LeCoultre watch which fogged up under the crystal in the summer. I seem to remember that there was some connection between Longines and this "LeCoultre" at that time. Is this LeCoultre the same company as today's Jaeger-LeCoultre? What is the relation between the two "LeCoultre"s? Thank you for any information. \brad mccormick http://www.cloud9.net/~bradmcc/clock.html | ||
| Zaf Rating: N/A |
LeCoultre is the same company as Jaeger-LeCoultre. After their merger in the late 1920s/early 1930s Jaeger-LeCoultre continued to market their watches in the US under the LeCoultre name and in Europe under the Jaeger LeCoultre name. To avoid import heavy duties for complete watches, most of the US market LeCoultre were cased in the U.S.A. in American made cases. Vacheron, LeCoultre, Longines and Wittnauer were marketed by one enitity in the 1950s although the factories were always distinct with the exception of Longines-Wittnauer which were the same company. Vacheron often used basic LeCoultre movements but never the other way around. - Zaf | ||
| Don (209.86.2.129 - 209.86.2.129) Rating: N/A |
Zaf, I think Brad was also interested in when Jaeger LeCoultre stopped marketing watches under the LeCoultre name, as modern pieces seem to all be Jaeger LeCoultre. Also, there is some additional information on the Longines - Wittnauer relationship in our manufacturer history of Longines. - Don | ||
| Zaf Rating: N/A |
I don't have an exact date as to when the name Jaeger-LeCoultre was used throughout the world, but it appears to be in the mid 1970s. I pretty sure Longines-Wittnauer are the same company with a Rolex/Tudor type relationship. Zaf | ||
| [email protected] Rating: N/A |
Zaf - If Vacheron used basic LeCoultre movements, but not the other way around, why do some LeCoultre watches have movements marked VXN, which supposedly refers to Vacheron? | ||
| Zaf Rating: N/A |
Good question. Vacheron-LeCoultre operated under one distributor in the U.S., U.S. market LeCoultre movements were imported with the VXN marks on th bridge. As to the reason, I do not know, but these are absolutely LeCoultre movements, not Vacheron. Take for example the Futurematic and Memovox alarm movements, for the U.S. market, these have VXN markings. These movements have nothing to do with Vacheron nor did Vacheron ever use them. | ||
| ruel Rating: |
I have a ladies lecoultre white gold wrist watch, with two chipped diamonds on the case, vintage in the early 1950's. Is this watch a collectable or could anybody give me an idea as to its value? [email protected] | ||
| zaf Rating: N/A |
The ladies watches are always have less collector value as most of the collectors are tend to be men. So it's simply a matter of demand. That said, LeCoultre is a very nice brand, and depending on what model you have, value could be anywhere from $150 to $600. Sometimes more if it is a wild design. Zaf | ||
| Damon Rating: N/A |
A few months ago, I contacted JLC US on the subject of LeCoultre and their association with Jaeger LeCoultre, and I asked them if LeCoultres were just made in the US due to heavy tariffs on imported watches. Here is what they had to say about it: "Most LeCoultre brand watches were manufactured by a U.S. company called Longines & Wittnauer. This company purchased movements from our company and manufactured their own watches with the brand name "LeCoultre" between 1935-1985. This company is no longer in business in the U.S. and they did not maintain any archived records that we are aware of. This company was not a part of our firm and did not have any legal connection to our company. We were their supplier for movements." From what I understand, LeCoultre was the original company back in late 1800s up till 1903. It was in 1903 that Jacques-David LeCoultre went in to business with a chronometer maker named Edmon Jaeger who then added his name to the watch. From that time on, the watches by the company in Switzerland were always called "Jaeger LeCoultre." After reading your post to Brad McCormick, you make it sound like JLC and LeCoultre were still the same company in the US. I've heard what you told Brad on the net before, and I was wondering if can you tell me where you are getting this information from since JLC is telling a different story. Best Regards, Damon | ||
| zaf Rating: N/A |
This is not entirely inconsistent with my answers. A U.S. Company called Longines-Wittnauer (LeCoultre-Vacheron Constantin) was formed in the U.S. to market, case and time "LeCoultre" timepieces. Special attention was paid to U.S. market needs with the use of Gold Fill, 14k gold and less conservative case designs. However, to say that this entity's relationship with JLC Switzerland was only limited to the supply of movements is simply not supported by the many watches that exist under both nameplates. Hard evidence to the above can easily be found in U.S. market watches bearing the LeCoultre name which match up to their Swiss counter parts 100%, typically in steel & 18k. Also note that many Swiss market JLCs have "LeCoultre" signed cases bearing Swiss Hallmarks which are entirely correct. So, yes, perhaps they were different legal entities but to make the claim that JLC only supplied movements to a company that has nothing to do with them, is not supported by the many hundreds of watches I have personally examined. Zaf | ||
| Zaf Rating: |
Here is a good example of the tight relationship of the 2 companies.  | ||
| Tristan Rating: N/A |
Just out of couriostity, what is the relationship with Jaeger to JLC and LeCoultre? is the Jaeger from Edmon Jaeger? Regards Tristan | ||
| zaf Rating: N/A |
Yes, it is Edmond Jaeger, an Alsacian firm that merged with LeCoultre to form JLC. Zaf | ||
| sukab Rating: N/A |
I had seen some Pierre Cardin fashion watches (70s?) which bear the name 'Jaeger' on the dial, case and movement. To me these are quite rough productions. Any linkages between this 'Jaeger' with the prestige JLC/LC? Sukab | ||
| zaf Rating: N/A |
Although I have seen these watches, it has been a while. Do you have a picture? If the movement is rough, it probably is not related. Zaf | ||
| JERRY HALSALL Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
I HAVE A JAEGER LECOULTRE GOLD SWISS MADE AND BOUGHT IN PANAMA IN 1959. IT HAS#727932. IS IT OF VALUE AND NEEDS CLEANING.SHOULD I FIX IT? | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 478 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
No way to know given the information. I'll need a picture, what the case is made of and a movement serial number to date it. | ||
| tabl Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
if I have a longines-wittnauer watch ladies style how do I find out info on it does the numbers inside the case give the info and if so which numbers are which it says it is 10 karat gold and 17 gems what does the 17 gems mean not really watch knowledgeable! | ||
| Ted Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
JLC.Cal.101/1 I am seeking information on the mainspring barrel.Should the hook in the barrel be rivetted? The barrel in this movement has a movable hook, meaning,that I can move the hook backwards and forwards whilst the mainspring is still in the barrel! Could it be that the hook is in fact rivetted to the mainspring end? The mainspring appeared to be broken on initial inspection, endless winding and hearing click-click, could it be that the mainspring-hook is slipping from the orifice in the barrel and then reconnecting, the hook always appearing in the orifice. Anyone whom could impart there knowledge to me on this would be more than greatly appreciated. Ted | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1282 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Sorry, I don't know on that one. It's a rare caliber and impossible to speculate without one in hand. Zaf | ||
| Barbara Costello Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
I have a Longine Rodolphe Ladies watch that needs a special leather band. It has a third party band which I would like to have replaced with an original gray leather band. The band width at the face is 11 mm. and is connected to the watch in a manner like the current Longine: LONGINES La Grande Classique Model : L4.241.0.92.2 Size : Ladies (24mm) Series: La Grande Classique Band: Pink Leather Strap Case: Stainless Steel, 48 diamonds Dial: Pink MOP Movement: Quartz Do you know where I could have this done and who I could contact? Barb | ||
| J REGAN Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
I HAVE A 14K GOLD BRACELET WATCH . THE WATCH AND BRACELET ARE ALL ONE PIECE. THE SHAPE OF THE WATCH IS RECTANGULAR WITH AN OVAL CRYSTAL SHOWING A DK RED DIAL WITH GOLD ROMAN NUMERALS AND HANDS. I HAVE CRACKED THE CRYSTAL OTHERWISE THE WATCH FUNCTIONS FINE AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. WHERE CAN I GET A NEW CRYSTAL AND DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEA AS TO THE VALUE OF THIS WATCH. I HAVE HAD IT A LONG TIME AND I CARE FOR MY THINGSVCAREFULLY. |
