| Author | Message | ||
     Some Guy in NY Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Howdy. I own a few old Hamiltons, but am thinking about moving up to a Futurematic. My other watches have white dials so I'd prefer a Futurematic in black. I'm pretty much a complete neophyte, so my questions are simple: How do I find one? How much do they go for nowadays? And how can I be sure the one I buy is in good shape and good running order? Thanks! | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1791 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
I have a couple for sale: www.classicwatch.com Thanks, Zaf | ||
| Samuel J. Hewitt New member Username: Hewybaby Post Number: 1 Registered: 04-2006 Rating: N/A |
I'm interested in approximate values as well. I watched an auction on the big auction site where a 10k white gold plated Futurematic redial went for almost $2,000. That seems steep, compared to what I see on www.classicwatch.com. Would the group agree? I missed any black dialed Futurematics -- you say you have one? | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1810 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Uh...there is no such thing as a *white gold plated* Futurematic. That would be quite alarming in itself. | ||
| gatorcpa Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
I saw that one, too. I think it was steel as opposed to white gold. This one was a European JLC model as opposed to the US cased LeCoultre. The steel Futurematics are very rare, and the one I saw also came with the original JLC fitted case, which also adds value. Hope this helps, gatorcpa | ||
| Samuel J. Hewitt New member Username: Hewybaby Post Number: 2 Registered: 04-2006 Rating: N/A |
item number 8919086064 it is listed as 10k yellow gold filled, not white -- my error photos show a W hallmark (is that Worthington? Wadsworth? -- I can't remember) 10k gold filled, "cased and timed in the USA by LeCoultre" | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1832 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Wow. It's a refinished dial for $1700? This really frustrates me. I have a much nicer ORIGINAL dial example for sale at $999. Maybe time to bump the prices up a little. | ||
| gatorcpa Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
I can second Zaf's comments on the Futurematic as an everyday watch. It probably can be used that way, due to its incredible accuracy, but not a good idea due to repair difficulties. The "W" on the case stands for Wadsworth. Both of mine (a porthole and dual dial) keep time to within a few seconds a day, and sometimes even better than that. I wear mine maybe once every two weeks or so, make sure it wound at least halfway and let it run down normally. I've had no problems so far, knock wood. The dual dial was a lucky purchase on eBay and the porthole was purchased through an online vendor at a good price. Most of the ones I see on eBay now are either improperly restored or tired originals. The few that are full original or properly refurbished usually sell for very high prices. Good luck, gatorcpa | ||
| Bruce A New member Username: Bpabpa Post Number: 5 Registered: 03-2006 Rating: N/A |
I've noticed this Futurematic offered on eBay: auction 8922417642 This may be a stupid question, but in the pic of the movement, I see many scratch marks around the screw on the right (just above the arrow). Do you think that's anything to be concerned about...a possible indication that someone who didn't have Futurematic servicing experience had worked on it? Thanks, Bruce | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1842 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
The scratch is OK (this is the screw hole that allows the watchmaker to gently let down the mainspring), it looks like someone used an oversized screw head ther. However, that watch is missing the hack setting lever, which would have been screwed in directly left of the arrow. There is an empty hole there. This is not necessarily a watch I would recommend people buy unless they know what they are doing and have a watchmaker that knows what they are doing when it comes to servicing it. | ||
| Bruce A New member Username: Bpabpa Post Number: 6 Registered: 03-2006 Rating: N/A |
Great information. Many thanks. Just curious...If I bought this particular Futurematic, would you be able to replace the hack setting lever? If so, what does such a service typically cost? | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1846 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
That's one part I do not have sorry. | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1847 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
The other parts I do not have are the setting parts, both these items are what typically break on this watch. | ||
| Bruce A New member Username: Bpabpa Post Number: 7 Registered: 03-2006 Rating: N/A |
I see. Perhaps I'm off base, but I'm getting the impression that owning a Futurematic is like owning a Jag (from earlier decades). You should have two. | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1848 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: |
Well, you're talking to a vintage Maserati owner, the Fururematic is a piece of cake. But seriously, it's unconventional enough that it needs to be serviced by someone familiar with the watch, not someone that is learning as they go. | ||
| Bruce A New member Username: Bpabpa Post Number: 10 Registered: 03-2006 Rating: N/A |
In eBay auction #8932505331, the seller refers to the familiar knocking sound. I have other automatics that make either a gyro or clicking sound. I recognize it's tough to tell, but based on this seller's description, do you think this one's ok? I already requested pics of the movement, not that I'd know what to look for (other than a missing hack set lever). Thanks, Bruce | ||
| gatorcpa Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Bruce - The Futurematic is a bumper automatic. That means instead of a rotor that turns in a circle, there is a rotor that "bumps" against springs that sends it back in the opposite direction. http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/gatorcpa/Watch%20Photos/LeCoultre%20Future matic/PortholeFuturematicMovement.jpg The knocking sound is perfectly normal, provided that the springs are present and functioning. If the springs are worn or missing, the watch will be very difficult to wind and will not run properly. Futurematics can't be wound manually like many other automatics of that era. Hope this helps, gatorcpa P.S. Zaf, Since I'm posting this picture anyway, would it be possible to tell me the approximate date my movement was manufactured? | ||
| Bruce A New member Username: Bpabpa Post Number: 11 Registered: 03-2006 Rating: N/A |
I asked the seller (of eBay auction #8932505331) about the springs and here's what he wrote back: "The bumper springs are about non exsistant, It does make a hard sound as the rotor bangs back and forth.I have owned several futurematics that do this. With the feture of the rotor only allowed to wind the mainspring so far as the hammer or rotor hooks and stops it from winding any further. This watch is in fine condition. the wind indicator lines up and works excellent, as does the hack mechanism." Should I stay away from this watch or is this not a big deal? How easily serviceable is this issue in terms of parts accessibility? Thanks, Bruce | ||
| gatorcpa Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Parts avaliability is a major problem. These movements are somewhat fragile and when the need is there, collectors will pay. Sometimes parts come up on eBay. If the envelopes say "497" on them (model number for the Futurematic movement), watch the prices skyrocket. If recently serviced, it may run fine for awhile. However, the impact of the rotor hitting the sides of the movement without cushioning can't be good for the long term health of the movement. Then again, it's probably been like that for years. Took a look at the listing. Price seems on the high side for a starting bid to me, but prices have been rising. That one looks pretty good cosmetically. Good luck, gatorcpa | ||
| Dan Druff Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Zaf: As you can't get hold of the parts mentioned above (and other parts?), do you forsee a point in time when someone will have these manufactured? gatorcpa: Thanks for info on the bumper mechanism. I have two Futurmatics: one American, the other Swiss. When winding, the American one makes the sound of a 'soft cushioned bump'; the Swiss version, a much harsher sound (of metal against metal?). Do you think that the Swiss one has lost its springs? If so, it doesn't seem to affect the winding. TIA Danny | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1937 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
I don't forsee them being repro'd. I do forsee tha gold filled American models being canabalized for parts to fix more expensive gold or Euro models. | ||
| gatorcpa Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Dan - I have two also, one with the twin dials, the other a porthole (pictured above). Both are the USA LeCoutre versions, but the movements are identical to the JLC versions. Since the springs are hidden, it's tough to tell and I don't recommend poking around the movement to look. My guess is that the springs are probably there, but they may be compressed and have lost their "spring". One of mine seems to have the same problem as yours. I find that normal motion winds the watch some, just not enough to keep it running properly. If I start it out at about 20 hours or reserve by deliberate moving of the wrist, it keeps time within one second per day. It probably will need a lube at some point, but I'm reluctant to mess with it when it's running so well. gatorcpa |
