| Author | Message | ||
     Simon A UK Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Dear All, First of all, my thanks to all who contribute to this forum - I've not found it easy to get advice on old JLC watches... Attached are my amateur photos of a watch I have inherited. According to family history (which could be inaccurate) my uncle bought in the early 1950 here in the UK. I have become very attached to it and I would love to know more about its history. Details that probably won't be visible in the photos: the number on the back is 15001, and on the strap mounting lugs there are two stamps close together of 9 and 375. Questions: 1. What is the name and approximate age of this model of watch? 2. Is there any significance in the number 15001 on the back? I was wondering (completely naively) if it could be the first of this model that was manufactured. 3. What is approximate insurance value (i.e. what I would have to pay if I wanted to buy it, not what I would earn from selling it) 4. The watch works just fine. From phone enquiries to independant vintage watch specialists in London, I found it would cost 350 pounds (about $650) to have it serviced. Is this worth doing when nothing seems wrong? (By the way, I did also ask official JLC dealers, but they put me off with hints of upspecified long delays when the watch is sent back to Switzerland) 5. The watch "glass" (I thought it might be celluloid) is somewhat yellowed with age. Is there any merit or harm in having it changed with a colourless modern replacement? 6. Finally - is there anything I should do to keep the watch in good condition? Many thanks for your patience with this long posting. Kind regards, SimonA, Henley-on-Thames UK     | ||
| GregB Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
1. The name of your watch model is simply the Jaeger-LeCoultre "Wrist Alarm". Later models were re-named "Memovox", but the earlier models like yours were simply called a Wrist Alarm by the factory. Your watch dates from the early 1950s and is one of the first models produced by Jaeger-LeCoultre. It is powered by a caliber 489 17-jewel manual wind movement. The ".375" and "9" stamp on the bracelet denotes that it is 9 karat gold. The watch case is going to be 80 micron gold plated. These models were also made in 18 karat solid gold, but I believe that the case would have an "A" stamp on the back if it were a solid gold version. The inside of the caseback will be stamped indicating whether the case is gold plated or solid gold. 2. The 15001 simply represents a case style number. It is of little significance. 3. These watches trade at auction for about $400-$750, depending on condition. I would probably insure at $1,500 if you're looking for a retail replacement value. This gives you some head room for appreciation. 4. $650 to perform a routine service (COA) on a working watch is ridiculous. Typical cost for a complete overhaul (assuming no parts required) is around $200. Some watchmakers charge less, but don't completely disassemble the watch to clean. I would recommend against sending the watch to the factory for the same reasons told to you... very expensive (unnecessarily so) and very s-l-o-w. 5. If the plastic crystal has yellowed, it is easily replaced for less than $50. The cost of the crystal itself is just a couple of dollars. 6. Stay away from moisture... these early cases were definitely not waterproof. Clean/service every 3-5 years. Greg | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 2036 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
If I may add to that good answer: The case reference is likely to be 3151 (at least that is what it is for this same case in steel). Your case is UK made by Dennisson/DTE and is likely to be solid 9k gold (it will NOT have a "A" in that case). As a gold watch albeit a low karat one, I think its worth more than the $400-750 range, maybe more along the lines of $1000 + value of the bracelet. | ||
| SimonA Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Greg and Zaf, many thanks for your comprehensive answers. The 9 and 375 stamps I mentioned are actually on the watch case, where it attaches to the strap, so if those numbers mean 9k gold, this bears out Zaf's comments about Dennisson/DTE. The strap actually has its own markings in a couple of lozenge-shaped stamps: "750" and a less readable one that might be "1 AR". I *guess* it's gold, although in UK I would normally expect gold to be hall-marked. Anyway, thanks again for your information - very happy to know more about this family watch that I now wear every day. Kind regards, SimonA | ||
| GregB Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Zaf, Very interesting. I had seen numerous 9K LeCoultre cases by DTE, but never before on this model wrist alarm.... didn't know it was ever made in 9K. Learned something new. Greg | ||
| anthony Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Greg, since it is 9ct gold this watch was marketed in Great Britain or a commonwealth country [ie Canada, Australia] In the USA the minimum gold content is 10 karat on newly retailed goods. [used pieces are exempt] This was actually to keep out the british goods. Certain european countries [ie France, Switzerland, Italy] have a minimum of 18 karat on domesticly sold goods. [Italy manufactures and exports lower karat goods. The US follows the lead of German influenced countries and uses primarily 14 karat gold. | ||
| GregB Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Anthony, Yes, I'm very familiar with the karating standards for the various countries. As mentioned in my post, I just hadn't seen this particular Wrist Alarm model in 9K before. Greg |