| Author | Message | ||
     Twd7001 New member Username: Twd7001 Post Number: 1 Registered: 07-2010 Rating: N/A |
Hello, I am seeking expert help in identifying the attached men's watch. It is about 34 cm across, and i am told it is an early 50's manual wind alarm with an 18K case and a carl david lindstrom gold band attached to barrel-shaped lugs. Serial No inside is 648806. It runs but apparently needs work. Can anyone help identify the model and whether it is worth trying to get fixed (and where)? How much is this type of watch worth? Thanks so much!  | ||
| Gregb Advanced Member Username: Gregb Post Number: 258 Registered: 10-2006 Rating: N/A |
Alas, someone has repainted the dial at some point in time, lowering the value of your watch significantly (collectors of these older watches tend to be purists). You have a circa 1949/1950 reference 3150 Memovox Wrist Alarm. This was the first model Memovox produced by JLC. It is powered by a caliber 489 movement. I'll defer to Zaf to comment on what affect the refinished has on the value. Greg | ||
| Twd7001 New member Username: Twd7001 Post Number: 2 Registered: 07-2010 Rating: N/A |
Greg, Thanks so much for the detailed information. I have looked closely at the dial and can't see any sign that it was ever repainted. Did you see something unmistakable in the photo as evidence of repainting, or is it possible that the reflections in the crystal made the image appear as though the dial was repainted? Thanks, twd7001 | ||
| Gregb Advanced Member Username: Gregb Post Number: 259 Registered: 10-2006 Rating: N/A |
I've owned so many examples of this Memovox model and looked at so many others in the last 20 years, that it is easy to tell when the printing isn't quite correct/original. I posted several pictures of original examples of the ref 3150 in another discussion thread on this forum a few weeks ago. You can find that thread at http://www.classicwatch.com/discus/messages/622/42946.html?1276731378 In particular, look at the missing blue triangular hour marks that are missing from the inner opening of the main (outer) dial. Also, notice the imprecise printing of your hour marks and logo compared to the original dials shown in the other thread. Your logo is also printed too large/wide on the dial when compared to the original and the hour marks are printed much too bold and wide. Greg | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 4658 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
In my experience, redone dials lessen the value 20-50%, it depends on the watch really. The more expensive the watch, the more important the dial. |