| Author | Message | ||
     Seagull New member Username: Seagull Post Number: 8 Registered: 07-2010 Rating: N/A |
I'm interested to know how JLC handle restoration of vintage models. I've seen a 14ct Lecoultre Memovox that's been completely restored (at an alarming cost - excuse the pun), including a replacement Lecoultre dial. Do JLC make new Lecoultre dials (and inner discs and hands) for vintage restorations or do they have a stock of old ones? The end result looks gorgeous, although it also looks like a completely new watch. | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 4777 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
It depends. If they have the old dials, they will use the old dials, if not they will refinish the existing dial. In my opinion, they over polish the cases in an effort to remove scratches, they lose a lot of the original definition of the corners, etc. | ||
| Seagull New member Username: Seagull Post Number: 9 Registered: 07-2010 Rating: N/A |
This was my thought too. They've polished it until it gleams! | ||
| Lhtan73 New member Username: Lhtan73 Post Number: 3 Registered: 12-2010 Rating: N/A |
Zaf, As you have always said that by refreshing the Dial of a vintage watch, the value of the watch will depreciated. What if the watch is refreshed by JLC themselve? Will the vintage watch appreciate or depreciate? Thanks | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 5193 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
If it is a replacement of an original new old stock dial, value goes up. It it is repainted by JLC, I would imagine, with regards to the dial, the value is neutral, but the service & paperwork that comes from JLC will add some value. It will depends on what model it is really. | ||
| Lhtan73 New member Username: Lhtan73 Post Number: 4 Registered: 12-2010 Rating: N/A |
Zaf, mine is a Memovox Cal.825, the quotation from JLC on refreshing of the dial and disc is the same as restoration of the movement. Still considering if its worth to refresh the dial and disc as the spots on them are quite bad, any advice? | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 5198 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
They probably want 2000 euros to do the work right? It's crazy. Do they say if you get a new dial or are they are restoring the old one? | ||
| Lhtan73 New member Username: Lhtan73 Post Number: 5 Registered: 12-2010 Rating: N/A |
Zaf, It's almost there, 3/4 of it with restoration of movememnt, dial and disc, so it's not a new dial & disc. Not sure restoration includes JLC signed crowns which I want it to be replaced as well. | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 5202 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
If its an old stock dial, I'd say go for it. | ||
| Lhtan73 New member Username: Lhtan73 Post Number: 6 Registered: 12-2010 Rating: N/A |
Zaf, thanks for the advices, will post some pictures if I intend to go ahead with the restoration. But, that will be at least 8 months from now. | ||
| Lhtan73 New member Username: Lhtan73 Post Number: 7 Registered: 12-2010 Rating: N/A |
Zaf, do you think it's worth buying an archives? | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 5219 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
If you are already servicing the watch there, no, as the service papers will indicate the serial # and reference. | ||
| Lhtan73 New member Username: Lhtan73 Post Number: 8 Registered: 12-2010 Rating: N/A |
OK, but the archives cost about USD300, why is it so expensives? | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 5221 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Because they are GREEDY! Looks at what they're charging you for 2-3 hours work to overhaul the watch. Even Patek charges 'only' 75 Euro for the archives. | ||
| Lhtan73 Junior Member Username: Lhtan73 Post Number: 13 Registered: 12-2010 Rating: N/A |
Jaegerian, After sending my Memovox E855 for restoration and refreshing of dial & disk thru Jaeger Sentinel for 32 weeks, here's the new look. Slight Disappointment as the refreshing wiped away all the vintage looks.   | ||
| Olsenfried New member Username: Olsenfried Post Number: 9 Registered: 01-2011 Rating: N/A |
I don't like this new dial at all - especially the printing (too much colour/material) (semikolon not allowed) a macro-shot of this segment (+'JL') would perhaps be interesting. However: it's all clean now and the case polish is well done as far as I can see. This watch is good to live for another fourty years. regards | ||
| Olsenfried New member Username: Olsenfried Post Number: 10 Registered: 01-2011 Rating: N/A |
And: the inner calendar-disk has been replaced (by an inferiour version)... | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 5483 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
One thing that would have helped is to use a more brown luminous material than the quasi - white luminous they use today. Other than that, for a dial re-finish it's not bad, but you can still sport these pretty easily especially under magnification. JLC does not think this way at all, they want to re-manufacture the watch to new condition rather than 'restore' it. I've good success putting some light brown watercolor mixed in with a touch of coffee to age the luminous a little. It's easier to do when you are missing the luminous, but still possible of existing luminous. | ||
| Olsenfried Junior Member Username: Olsenfried Post Number: 11 Registered: 01-2011 Rating: N/A |
Changing the thickness of a font for no (appearent) reason and choosing a completely different font for the calendar-disk is definitely not amusing. Apart from that, i wouldn't mind the new luminous material and overall, he received a nice looking watch back, and I would wear it with pleasure if I had it. regards | ||
| Lhtan73 Junior Member Username: Lhtan73 Post Number: 14 Registered: 12-2010 Rating: N/A |
Can't help it as this watch was originally sent in to repair the clutch wheel slip due to a possible broken teeth as well as a restoration which include replacing the 2 crowns as they don't sell separately. I later decided to re-dial as the original dial and disk moist too much and would not want to sent it again that will made me wait another 32 weeks. But the fact that it draw quite some attention when I wear it made me happy as a goood piece of vintage watch always carry itself a nostalgic feel and look. | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 5484 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
I think with the dial you had, the decision to refinish the dial was not a bad one, especially that now you have a receipt for the factory restoration. The clutch wheels are a very difficult to find part, I have to buy complete watches and take them apart just for this part in our own repairs. |