| Author | Message | ||
     jdelikat Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
I have what I believe to be a JLC watch circa 1945. It was brought back from Europe after WWII around 1946 by my father who served in the Army AirCorp. The back of the watch has the identification of "B 302170". A local watch repairer opened the back and indicated that the movement was dated 1945. It has a pearl colored face with hour, minute and sweep second hand. The body is a chrome finish over a base metal that is worn away at the edges. The elastic metal strap, i believe is not original. I am curious as to its value and whether or not the metal strap is original. If not what would be a comparable strap replacement to make the watch look as close to original manufacture | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1474 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Most time only chrome plated JLC dress watches are selling for $400 or less. If it has condition issues deduct from there. The metal stretch bracelet may be original to the watch at the time of purchase but is not a JLC bracelet in all likelyhood. | ||
| jdelikat Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Thanks For sentimental reasons(my father recently passed away). I may get it repaired. The sweep second hand is bent and the knob that functions as the windup and time setting does not function. Do you still think its worth fixing Joe Delikat | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1475 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Sure, I've fixed a lot of watches for that very same reason. I probably have the parts you need for it, if you can get me a movement shot, I can confirm that with you. | ||
| jdelikat Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
I had already sent the watch to JLC in NYC for an estimate to repair. They mailed me a response. Watch needs to be sent to Switzerland for repair estimate. May take 8-10 weeks for factory to respond on estimate. Cost to ship $75USD. Cost to return watch to me is $25 if I elect not to repair. The product reference listed on the letter is J 98000/J98000302170 JLC Watch (GTS SS Arabic #'s WHT Dial). I cant get you a movement shot unless I get it returned. What do you suggest now? Your help is greatly appreciated Regards Joe Delikat | ||
| jdelikat Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
More Info. I called JLC in NYC. They say refurbs START AT $500 but can go higher depending on what is needed. THEY estimated the value of the watch at around $2000-3000 after refurb. Await your comments and do you think you can repair it and obviously at what cost. I may just get the watch back so that I can send you a photo of the movement. It will only cost $25 to get it back from NYC. Again thanks | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1487 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
They're smoking crack if they think a time only chrome plated JLC watch is worth $2000-3000. There is an extra digit in there somewhere. I am currently offering a chrome plated JLC for $429. You can draw your own conclusions. best, Zaf | ||
| jdelikat Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
So where do they get a minimum $500 plus $75 shipping. Swiss are noted for their money. They are trying to suck blood out of a stone (me). I will get the watch returned. Any chance you can fix it reasonably???????? If so where do I send it or is that info at your website. Goes to show the Swiss passed on the idea of a quartz watch and Japan ran with it(Casio) Regards Joe | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1490 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Hello, I can in the vast majority of the case have watches served for customers under $200 many times less. It all depends on what it needs and if parts are required. The JLC quote they're giving you at $500 is the absolute minimum and repairs frequently run over $1000 with JLC. The do entirely REMANUFACTURE the watch which in general is total overkill. It all depends on what you want to do. If you want a remanufcatured watch that looks like it was made yesterday, JLC is your ticket. If you want a routine service and some minor cosmetics, you should be able to do that with an independent for much much less. I'd say it's worth going to JLC only if you have a watch that's worth north of $3000. In your case, having them do any work makes no ecomimical sense as you're going to end up with a watch worth less than the cost of a JLC restoration. Zaf | ||
| jdelikat Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
OK. I get the watch back from JLC. Second, where do I send the watch for routine service and minor cosmetics(you?). I can ask JLC to ship direct to whomever will do the repairs. This avoids double shipping and insurance fees. I am willing to spend south of $200 to get a workable piece. I agree JLC is outrageous. If all else fails I will put it with the memorbelia I have collected about my family. I dont need to bore you but I am the family keeper of history(by default). Mother was a slave laborer Polish Catholic in WWII and dad was a first generation Pole who served in the Army Air Corp. He brought the watch home after WWII. He met Mom in Germany who was a displaced person under allied control. I have a bunch of history documented much like you do with watches. Only this is more personal in nature. Thats why there is some emotional attachment to the piece Thanks again. | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1495 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
I understand the emotional atachment. My grandfather's piece (a steel JLC) is what got it all started. You can send the watch to me if that is more convenient. Address is: Zaf Basha's classicwatch.com PO Box 21563 Washington, DC 20009 email is [email protected] please contact me there if you have further questiosn. In JLC, unless it is a complete basket case we can repair just about anything. Zaf | ||
| jdelikat Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
JLC will probably ship UPS and they probably will need a street address. I am not sure a PO address is sufficient. Do you have a street address? If so you can email it to me at [email protected] or post the address to this forum. | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1496 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
I have sent you a private email. | ||
| jdelikat Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Zaf JLC will not drop ship the watch to you. They are returning the watch to me via registered mail( at no charge no less). When I get it I will forward it to you at the PO Box address. OK Joe | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1501 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Ok, will await your signal...thanks. | ||
| jdelikat Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
I finally got the watch back from JLC after two weeks. The good news they sent it back FREE. I will forward it to you via registered mail tomorrow. Registered mail took six days from NYC to Doylestown, PA (suburbs of Philadelphia). Upon closer examination the watch band (under a scope) states that it was an APEX stainless bracelet made in the USA. If repairs are warranted I would like a replacement bracelet similar to original. Again, thanks for the help. Regards Jope Delikat PS I will send the watch to your address that you emailed to me | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1530 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Hi Joe, Can you send it right after Christmas? I won't be able to get to it until then. Zaf | ||
| jdelikat Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Thats OK. The watch is over 50 years old and I can wait a few weeks. I will mail it after Christmas. | ||
| jdelikat Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Merry Christmas and thanks for all your help | ||
| jdelikat Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Sent watch to your attention today at street address you emailed me in December. See seperate email that i sent you with details | ||
| jdelikat Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Zaf Watch I sent to you for refurb is working great. Put a new lizard style band on it and wear it almost daily. Tell all its a 1945 mfg JLC manual wind. You know the details. Your repairs are "out of sight" and much cheaper than factory. I would be pleased to use me as a reference | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1775 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Excellent. Yours was a very tough repair. I don't think many places could have pulled it off. I think I'm just going to focus on JLC repairs going forward, we have many parts and expertise right here. I've gotten several "family watches" since yours. An automatic Master Mariner and 2 Futurematics. | ||
| jdelikat Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
tell the "Familys" that they are in good hands. Again, If you need a reference [email protected] |