| Author | Message | ||
     kmathie Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Hi, I've recently acquired a NOS JLC Memovox, automatic with date, gold bezel and in totally unused mint condition. I've appended some photos -  and  and would welcome some info to help date the watch and any additional background info would be appreciated. In addition, it is working and keeping good time but given its age, should I submit it to JLC for a service? and should I keep it on a winder? | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1565 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Is it a bumper automatic or a full swing automatic? JLC service will cost you at least $1000. | ||
| Kmathie Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Hi Zaf. Reading through the previous messages on this site, I think this is a bumper movement, going by the sound of the movement from within the watch when moved from side to side. It sounds like something large is loose within the watch bumping against the side. I raised the issue about the watch needing a service because I thought (and I am admittedly ignorant of such matters) it might need to be serviced/oiled to continue operating properly because of its age and lack of use or previous servicing. At $1000 though it aint going to JLC!!. I also have to admit to being torn between keeping the watch pristine or using it as it was intended but I guess I can make that decision once I know more about the watch. Whilst on, thanks for the info on the site. I'm new at this game but have found this site and your information helpful and educational. Kind regards KM | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1568 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
It's a mid 1960s caliber 825 bumper automatic alarm. One question for you...what makes you think it is NOS? | ||
| Kmathie Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Ah, now you've got me nervous. The seller (who is reputable) advised me that it was and the condition of the watch led me to believe him. It is absolutely unmarked in any way and I went with my instinct to trust the seller and what my eyes were telling me. Now, I fear you'll tell me that I was wrong!! But if I am please do. Are there other ways of checking or making the NOS assertion unlikely? KM | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1573 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Are the crowns JLC? | ||
| kmathie Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
The crowns are not stamped. | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1574 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
I'd expect signed crowns on a watch of this era. If it's really NOS, why would it have unsigned crowns? Did you ever have a chance to look at the movement? | ||
| Kmathie Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
No, afraid not. Took the watch on trust of the seller and at face value. | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1575 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
To be honest, I'd take a hard look at that watch, find someone that is good at this stuff and see if the dial is original and if the movement is in fact signed "Jaeger-LeCoultre" rather than "LeCoultre". As a NOS piece, the movement needs to be pristine and JLC signed. | ||
| jdelikat Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
pardon my ignorance. What does NOS mean. I love this thread and apologize for my ignorance Joe | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1576 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
"New Old Stock" in theory a watch that has not been worn, but has been in stock somewhere for many years. | ||
| KMathie Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Okay, thanks for the info, I'll make further enquiries re the proper attributes the watch should have. I have also been in contact with the seller and he is adamant that the watch is 100% genuine NOS and advises that a proper examination will fully establish this. I bought the watch because I liked the look of it and I think I will just go ahead and wear it and get good use of it and forget any pretensions of tucking it away and keeping it pristine. They were made for wearing after all and it looks great. One final thing, when did JLC start putting signed crowns on the memovox watches? Where can I find out more about this type of information? KM | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1578 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
It's my opinion, that any automatic JLC alarm of the 1950 and 1960s should have signed crowns. With the manual wind ones, especially the very first ones, they usually did not have signed crowns. The model you're showing here, is most often seen as a 14k gold bezel and a steel case of the USA market as a LeCoultre watch. Now it is possible it exists for the Euro market as a "Jaeger-LeCoultre" watch, but you'd need to look at he movement and make sure it is also signed JLC. Taking a look at the movement, by someone that knows about this type of thing, would also give you a good indication if the watch is in fact NOS. |