| Author | Message | ||
     Pierre Droal New member Username: Arctis Post Number: 1 Registered: 12-2005 Rating: N/A |
Hello everybody, I've recently discovered this forum, very interesting.  I've received from my grandfather this watch ; I suppose it's a real JLC, because of 3 maintenance certificates dated 1968, 1972, and 1975, all from the Jaeger company. Unfortunatly I haven't found the original papers. All I know is that he bought it in Paris after second world war (probably in the late 50's, or 60's. The number at the back is 168102, and it's written "chronometre" on the dial. The watch is in gold, even the bracelet. I've asked a professional to open it, in order to get more info about the movement, but he was unable to open it with a simple blade. So here are my questions : - What model do you think it is, in spite of the lack of info)? - it's written chronometre on the dial : does it means it has any particularity ? I've read that the term chronometer is only attributed to watches built with higher standards, but since this watch is older that the COSC, I was wondering if it was the same before ? - I wind up the watch, and 7 months later, when I find it back, it's still working : how is it possible ? Here's a terrible picture of it (I've removed the bracelet) Sorry for the long text, I've tried to be as precise as possible. Thanks by advance, Pierre.  | ||
| Pierre Droal New member Username: Arctis Post Number: 2 Registered: 12-2005 Rating: N/A |
Hi, I've read in another thread that JLC asks 1000$ to repair a watch... As mine need a revision, will it be the same (huge) price ? | ||
| jdelikat Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
I sent a watch to JLC in NYC for repair. They stated it needed to be sent to Switzerland for factory repair. Shipping costs to Switzerland was $75 and they stated the MINIMUM repair cost would be $500 (thats the miniumum). Thats at least $575. I am getting the unrepaired watch sent back to me | ||
| Ilja Probst Moderator Username: Ilja Post Number: 146 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: |
Getting a repair price is like a gamble, some examples: - 1930s rectangular double date: EUR 1800 - 1940s military cal. 479: EUR 1000 - 1950s Futurematic: EUR 1400 - 1960s Memovox: EUR 900 No experience with newer watches, but for the old ones I can tell as older the watch higher the price. Prices given above include NOS dials as far available. As long a watch does not need any difficult to find parts or a dial, it�s not worth it. Also watch should be worth more than 2500 otherwise there will be no chance for a return of investment... Ilja | ||
| Pierre Droal New member Username: Arctis Post Number: 3 Registered: 12-2005 Rating: N/A |
Thanks for the answer. But the watch is working ; it's just that it hasn't been inspected since 1975 ( for 178 Franc / 25 Euros at that time ), so it's just maintenance. Are these prices only for broken watches? or also forroutine maintenance ? Where can I do a correct inspection for cheaper ? And about my second question about chronometers : in the 1960's, does a "chronometer" inscription means that it has been built with higher standards than a non-chronometer watch (like now with COSC), or not ? I've read that COSC existed since 1973, so I don't know the standards before. Can you help me ? Thanks. | ||
| Ilja Probst Moderator Username: Ilja Post Number: 147 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
JLC does not differ if a watch is broken or just needs a service. You should be able to find a watchmaker local who will service it for a maximum of $200. JLC produced a VERY low number of Chronometer graded watches. Actually your watch does not look like one of the known models (Geophysic, Geomatic and the 70�s models). Of course a Chronometer is at least much more carefully regulated, but this does not mean the movement finish is better or nicer compared to a "standard" watch. It would be interesting to know what caliber is used in your watch. The case serial more likely dates to the 40s, while the dial layout is more 60s style. We need to see better scans and the movement (and movement serial) to give further help. | ||
| Pierre Droal New member Username: Arctis Post Number: 4 Registered: 12-2005 Rating: N/A |
Thanks for your answer, Ilja. Unfortunatly, the 2 professionnals to who I asked to open the watch were unable to do it : the junction is too thin and it needs a special instrument to remove it... I don't know if it means anything. I also asked them about the possibilty of my watch to be a fake, but they think the finition fits with Jaeger standards (they both work in partnership with them.) They also insist on the fact that it can't be a fake because it has been revised 3 times by Jaeger themeselves. Is it true ? So I'm in complete ignorance. Pierre. | ||
| Steve Barnett Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Pierre, I'm by no means an expert, but I have a watch vaguely similar to yours in appearance, but made in '66. I also inherited it. I took my watch to an independent local Swiss trained technician, and he serviced the watch for $400. The style of case required the crystal to be removed to access to movement. The back looks like it comes off, but is actually fused to the rest of the case (intentionally). Here�s a picture of mine. Steve [IMG]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a209/sbbarnett/LeCoultre1.jpg[/IMG] | ||
| Pierre Droal New member Username: Arctis Post Number: 5 Registered: 12-2005 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Steve, I've given it to an atelier, to get some more informations. I must say I'm quite disturbed by the fact that this watch could be a fake, or part of a fake. My grandfather always told me he went to Jaeger to buy it, because his company, Renault, has partnership with them. Let's see now... Bye | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1526 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
I don't think your watch is fake. The Question is, is it really a "Chronometre". For us to determine that, we'd need to see the movement. | ||
| Pierre Droal New member Username: Arctis Post Number: 6 Registered: 12-2005 Rating: N/A |
Hello, I gave the watch to an atelier, to open it. After having insisted alot, they finally communicated me a number inside: P478 1331 267 I don't know if it will help for identification, but that's the only thing they accepted to tell me... I don't want to know the value, but just to know if this watch is genuine, and if it's possibly a chronometer. Thanks by advance. | ||
| Pierre Droal New member Username: Arctis Post Number: 7 Registered: 12-2005 Rating: N/A |
I've just read on another thread that the caliber P478 is very common. Could JLG have written "chronometer" on the dial while this is not one inside ? Sorry for the lack of photo, but the watch is still at the atelier. | ||
| Ilja Probst Moderator Username: Ilja Post Number: 151 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
There was a Chronometer variant of the 478 movement: P478BWSbr, easy to identify by the inscription, stop lever and swanneck regulator. The serial number fits other observed P47BWSbr. Make sure the movement covers the above described details. *IF* it does, please email either me or Zaf on privat basis, because due to the book project it�s not intended for the public yet. Ilja | ||
| Pierre Droal New member Username: Arctis Post Number: 8 Registered: 12-2005 Rating: N/A |
Ok, I'll try to get the info. But could you tell me the age of the watch, thanks to this number (P478 1331 267 ) ? Thanks | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1605 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Your watch dates to 1958. | ||
| Pierre Droal New member Username: Arctis Post Number: 9 Registered: 12-2005 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Zaf. I have just received my watch back from revision, and I have measured that it adds +5 sec after 7 hours on my wrist (=18sec a day) Is it acceptable, considering that the watch is 48 year old, but that it has just been revised ? If not, what is acceptable ? Thanks by advance. | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1647 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
We never got a clear answer on what movement is in your watch. If it is a chronometer, it should do better than that. If it is the normal movement, it probably can do better, but it's acceptable as it is. Make sure you run it 24hrs, it may slow down as it winds down. | ||
| john wiegman Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
I can't locate a picture of my square faced 18k no second hand Jaeger le Coultre watch bought in 1980-82. Just had the battery replaced today-four screws in back. 18k and numbered no second hand. Can anyone tell me about this watch |
