| Author | Message | ||
     remco Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Hello, this is Remco from Holland. I inherited my grandpa's watch some 10 years back. Quite pretty I think and in good working order. He told me this was one of the first automatics ever made. But I don't know what year more precisely. Since I'm not wearing it often, I could consider selling it. I am very curious about its age (year of manufacture) and possible value. And does this Le Coultre model have a specific name? Here are some pictures. Thanks a lot for any info I can get through this great forum.    | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1274 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
It's a LeCoultre "powerwind" from the 1950s with the "bamboo lug" variant. GregB may know the specific model name...the dial on your has been redone. Value for the gold filled ones are usually in the $400 range. | ||
| GregB Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
The name for this model (like most LeCoultre models) evolved over time. The earliest factory literature I have for the model dates from 1950 where it was called simply the LeCoultre "Automatic". Literature from 1950 thru 1951 shows it still being called simply the "Automatic", with a letter designation after to signify the case style (e.g. "Automatic D" for the gold-filled long thin lug version). In 1952, they changed the name to the "Powermatic", however several other LeCoultre automatics without a power reserve indicator also bore this name, including a square-cased automatic and an automatic with small seconds at 6 o'clock. The Powermatic name also bore a letter code after to designate the case style: In 1952, they also dubbed the solid gold thick-lugged Powermatic the "Mark 7" (the one where the lugs extend across the bezel). By about 1955, they split the Powermatic line into waterproof and dress versions and the waterproof versions took on the new name of "Powermatic Nautilus". The Powermatic Mark 7 became the "Powermatic Nautilus S". Other designation letters I have found are O, E, G, L, I, P and D. I can't find the letter designation for the one with lugs like your watch.... sorry. Greg | ||
| remco Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Wow, that's a lot of useful information. Thanks a million ! Is this watch what's called a "bumper" automatic ? Its mechanism makes bumping sounds as it winds.... (and the bumping movement can also be seen inside). Is it advisable to wind/run it once in a while (since I don't wear it)? TX Remco |