| Author | Message | |||
     Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 35 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Hi there. Another watch in my collection. It's a circa 1965 Jaeger-LeCoultre "Geomatic", 23 jewel chronometer grade caliber K881G with the peculiarity of being signed "LeCoultre" as opposed to JLC. This one of few, if not the only European market 1960s era JLCs that came with a LeCoultre signed movement. I don't see these very often, especially in steel, so we're talking maybe a few hundred examples are out there. For a neat article on how the Geomatic got the globe on it's back, see this article on Justin's site.    | |||
| Justin Moderator Username: Justin Post Number: 4 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
I wish JLC would revive the logoform cut-out rotor arm in their modern watches. I think it looks great and adds a certain charm to an otherwise boring bit of necessary technology. | |||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 36 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Hi Justin, Do you have any pictures of any current JLC automatic movements? I'm curious as to what the finish level is and if they have fine regulation. On the Geomatic for example, I'm surprised they didn't opt for swan's neck regulation. On the Geophysic, the did go with Swan's neck regulation but the movement itself isn't decorated at all, very workman like. Just curious as to what the modern folks are doing these days in terms of movement finish. Zaf | |||
| Stefan Moecking Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Looking forward to my new watch Geomatic SS including original steel bracelet, ca. 196x, coming back from the watchmaker hopefully next week. But Zaf - I in fact think all Geomatic Calibres K881G are signed LeCoultre only, and not Jaeger LeCoultre (for example the two offered by Gisbert at the moment or other pictures I've seen). Any comments on that? | |||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 37 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Yes, that is what I am saying, they are all signed LeCoultre. Other Euro market JLC watches would be signed JLC. I'm not sure what the reasoning behind that is. Some claim that it is to celebrate LeCoultre 125th Aniversary for the introduction of the Geophysic, but the Geomatic came 4-5 years after that. | |||
| Stefan Moecking Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
When taking a closer look at this one here (you should know :-))I start wondering again...: http://beta.timezone.com/archiveView.aspx?forumId=jaeger&msgId=jaeger002562 Difficult, difficult. | |||
| Ilja Probst Moderator Username: Ilja Post Number: 4 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Hi All! now we are back to the old treat of LC vs. JLC... To my knowledge 2 companies did exist till -guessing- late 60�s early 70�s. One was LeCoultre in LeSentier producing the movements the other Jaeger-LeCoultre doing the marketing/distrubution, based in Geneva. Both watches, the Geomatic and the Geophysique are certified Chronometer watches, for me it makes sense the movements are "just" signed LeCoultre because LeCoultre, LeSentier stands for their products quality. Also LC could have managed the COSC testing. Btw. I think Gisberts watches are not the best examples to discuss the movement signatures although his archive is helpful sometimes... ;) Viewing the caliber-details again, brings a question to mind: There we see a caliber 880G, - without date feature - So have there been Geomatics without date indication? - Never saw one, just courious... | |||
| Stefan Moecking Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
I know about the LC vs. JLC - but I don't think that this is the question here :-) So the watches I referred to (and the one I bought) are JLC with LC movements, and I simply think, that the signature on the movement isn't always the same, although those are all JLC watches. Maybe Jaeger LeCoultre did sign the movements differently in time or depending on space on the movement or whatever. Regarding the 880G: I myself got one, and it's not a Geomatic, it's just that the movement shows the G... Not adjusted, not certified etc. But nice and running strong... | |||
| Ilja Probst Moderator Username: Ilja Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Agree, the classic LC vs. JLC thing isn�t the point here, although it is a "pixel" in the whole picture. ;) It would be nice to find out a systematic about A) At what time B) What kind of movement/watch C) For what market was signed how. I tried to work out some parallels... Do we know any other watches having a LC signed movement (Without VXN) and having a dial labled JLC? Any info is appreciated. | |||
| Clavi Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Hi Llja ! I know that a lot of the memovoxes of the "E" series produced in the 70's and equiped with Cal 916 have LeCoultre signed movements (well, at least the rotor). OK, this one is from Gisbert website again, but I definitely saw a lot of similar watches with JLC signed dials and LC signed movements   | |||
| Stefan Moecking Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Apologies - mine is a reference E 393 with the caliber 880, calibre serial number 1488429, case serial number 1067900 | |||
| Ilja Probst Moderator Username: Ilja Post Number: 6 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Stefan please email me privatly! - It seems something is not correct with your watch.  Zaf, please send me your newest "spread sheet". Thanks. | |||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 38 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
OK, it will be on Monday, I'm out of town until then. As far as this question "Do we know any other watches having a LC signed movement (Without VXN) and having a dial labled JLC?" I have run accross ONE steel futurematic porthole like that (LeCoultre movement no exprort VXN marks), British market, or at least I bought it from a British guy. I'll open it up to check again. | |||
| Stefan Moecking Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
I got my Geomatic! Just arrived, Steel Model, with steel bracelet (original as well). Will post scans etc. as soon as possible. Only number I got now is on the back of the case: 883685. I saw the movement prior to the purchase: numbered 881G, signed LeCoultre adjusted etc., back with geophysical logo. Took me more than a year to find this one, and it took JLC eight weeks to deliver spare parts... | |||
| Stefan Moecking Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Ok, here's the other information: Case Number 399, on the back 883685, Calibre K881G, Number on Movement 1586017. As I can not extract the photos from the Document I received, I'll attach the whole document...
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| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 116 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Looks good! I finally got some production figures, it would appear that 1,700 E399s were made. Best, Zaf | |||
| Ilja Probst Moderator Username: Ilja Post Number: 16 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
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| Stefan Moecking Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Hi Ilja thanks for posting the photos separately. As you might have noticed the rotor of this Geomatic is not signed as the original rotors (adjusted to five positions etc. as in the first post here). I bought the watch with the original rotor, however, the basement of this rotor and the rotor itself had been damaged, and JLC did not send the original spare part (obviously they ran out of them), but the one you see (same size etc., calibre 881 [?]). A little bit a pitty, but does not really affect my pride of having this watch... Currently awaiting answer from JLC as to availability of original K881G rotor. Any other ideas? | |||
| Ilja Probst Moderator Username: Ilja Post Number: 18 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Hi Stefan! Hope you kept the "original" rotor. As long you keep the watch for your personal pleasure, nothing to complain about.  I know a guy who has a complete "Geomatic" movement, guess he is willing to sell it. Will you be at the Munich show on 6th/7th of September? - Perhaps we can work out something there. Ilja PS: Interested in a Geophysique? | |||
| Stefan Moecking Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Hi Ilja - thanks for the information, the original rotor will be in my hands soon. I'll wait for JLC to answer first, might be cheaper than to buy a whole movement (do you know the price? please mail privately). The same applies to the Geophysiqe - depends on the price and condition very much - see you in my mailbox ;-) | |||
| Justin Moderator Username: Justin Post Number: 16 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Here are some pictures of the modern JLC movement:  JLC Calibre 889/2  JLC Calibre 918 | |||
| Justin Moderator Username: Justin Post Number: 17 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Here's the rotor on a modern display back. Note the differences with the ones above:  Taken from Danny & Jaeger's site: http://marina.fortunecity.com/westindia/59/RDM11.jpg Larger image here: http://marina.fortunecity.com/westindia/59/RDM11.jpg |
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