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Old 22 June 2017, 08:59 AM   #1
GradyPhilpott
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I stopped by my used watch store this afternoon and put a down payment on a LeCoultre chronograph from the 1950s.

I wish I'd gotten a picture, but I forgot.

Maybe they'll let me take one tomorrow.

Meanwhile it looks like this.

Anyone have any information about it?

Picture from the internet.
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Old 22 June 2017, 09:04 AM   #2
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Very nice. Congratulations
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Old 22 June 2017, 09:09 AM   #3
mps354
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Looks nice! Unfortunately I don't know anything about it
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Old 22 June 2017, 09:11 AM   #4
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Congratulation! !950's style, still looking good!
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Old 22 June 2017, 09:59 AM   #5
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Pretty cool find. I'm looking forward to seeing photos of yours.
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Old 22 June 2017, 11:54 AM   #6
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Question :What does a vintage Jaeger Le Coultre vintage chronograph and the early classic manual winding Rolex Daytonas have in common ?

Answer :They both share the same JLC Valjoux 72 based movement with 17 jewels 18 000 vph ,built in anti shock device and a blued Breguet hairspring.

The watch missing the tachymeter scale on the chapter ring ,the subdials at 3 and 9 o'clock are not overlapping their respective index markers meaning that the watch can be dated back to post World War II era late 40s not 50s

I'm just suspicious of a Redial because in the original genuine dial, the watch had a blued chronograph second hand , perhaps they had a different version
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Old 22 June 2017, 11:59 AM   #7
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Congrats Grady. Probably a manual wind lemania or valjoux movement. They can be expensive to get really right. Hope you did well on it. As always, condition, condition, condition. There is a decent one on eBay right now. Guy wants $3800 or so.

I have a 40's Leonidas (Hauer) Chrono with a valjoux 22 that is in getting restored as we speak. I got in the watch really cheap on eBay so it is worth putting some money into. Hope to have it back somewhat soon. Here it is before it went in.



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Old 22 June 2017, 12:24 PM   #8
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I know nothing but that's a smart looking chrono Grady! Congrats ��
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Old 22 June 2017, 12:26 PM   #9
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Very nice...cant wait for the live pics
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Old 23 June 2017, 04:14 AM   #10
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Okay, folks!

Thanks for all the comments!

I now have some pictures of the actual watch. The store was kind enough to take a couple of pictures, so I could post them.

Let me know what you think.
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File Type: jpg 20170622_111821 copyTRF.jpg (204.9 KB, 587 views)
File Type: jpg 20170622_111924 copyTRF.jpg (167.6 KB, 581 views)
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Old 23 June 2017, 04:16 AM   #11
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Congrats Grady!

That's Old School Cool
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Old 23 June 2017, 04:20 AM   #12
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Wow. Love it Grady
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Old 23 June 2017, 04:45 AM   #13
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Thanks a lot, guys.

I think I can pick it up next week.
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Old 23 June 2017, 04:52 AM   #14
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That is very nice, great find, Grady!
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Old 23 June 2017, 05:00 AM   #15
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Great score Grady! I love vintage Jaeger
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Old 23 June 2017, 06:19 AM   #16
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i love it!
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Old 23 June 2017, 06:36 AM   #17
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Nice pick-up, congrats and enjoy.
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Old 23 June 2017, 06:38 AM   #18
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So the posted website photos are different from the actual watch ?No wonder I was struggling to figure out the jigsaw puzzle! Anyway those Internet photos can be dated back to Post WWII period before mid century and the actual photographs of the watch suggest the latter belongs to an era between 1949-1953.

The watch really appears to be in good condition original and unrestored but is the casing overpolished ? The original silver painted dial has now matured into a beautiful beige patina over time. Almost 70 years ago chronograph second hands ,the subdial hands and the tachymeter scale were all painted in blue colour but over decades ,the colour had oxidized, darkened and turned a blackish hue

The usual suspects for sale on ebay and Chrono24 are mostly restored,squeaky clean dials with an extra dose of lume thrown in for good measures

The question is How do you intend to go about restoring the dial ?

Would you like to go with a refresh dial or a complete overhaul and opt for a replacement dial with a factory original ?

Here.I'll show you how an original super duper rare Le Coultre ( US market) suppose to look like
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Old 23 June 2017, 06:45 AM   #19
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Great posts and questions, Meganfox17!
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Old 23 June 2017, 07:00 AM   #20
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Congratulations Grady
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Old 23 June 2017, 07:02 AM   #21
meganfox17
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The only issue that bothers me is the subdial layout at the 6 o'clock position in the OP's watch. In the original dial, every hour marker had a short baton above it. This is missing in the OPs watch , it's just a bare Arabic number sandwiched by baton markers on either side. So how do you explain this little anomaly ?

● Perhaps there were 2 versions of the dial OR
● A long forgotten very well executed early restoration of the dial was done decades ago



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Old 23 June 2017, 08:10 AM   #22
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Old 23 June 2017, 08:51 AM   #23
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Great responses, everyone.

Quote:
Originally Posted by meganfox17 View Post

So how do you explain this little anomaly ?

● A long forgotten very well executed early restoration of the dial was done decades ago
Meganfox17,

I really don't know a lot about the watch, other than I looked at it a couple of times last month when I bought my Hamilton Illinois.

Yesterday, I went to pick it up after the complimentary service and the LeCoultre was still in the showcase and since I have been lusting for it and I had the money in my watch fund, I went ahead and put down a deposit.

I don't recall noticing the case being over-polished when I looked at it, but being stricken with it so much I probably wouldn't have noticed.

I can say that the those pictures were taken under some extremely bright spotlights over the display case. Taking the picture was difficult under those conditions.

As for the dial, again, I don't know anything of the history of the watch, but I couldn't rule out a redial, as the brand font looks somewhat different from the specimens I've seen on line.

The main thing is that whatever its history, I love it and I'm just waiting to get some more money in the bank before I pay it off, just in case some emergency pops up.

I could have paid it off today, but I like to be cautious and it's not going anywhere.

When I get it home, I can take better shots.

I really appreciate your expertise.
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Old 23 June 2017, 09:20 AM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by meganfox17 View Post
The only issue that bothers me is the subdial layout at the 6 o'clock position in the OP's watch. In the original dial, every hour marker had a short baton above it. This is missing in the OPs watch , it's just a bare Arabic number sandwiched by baton markers on either side. So how do you explain this little anomaly ?

● Perhaps there were 2 versions of the dial OR
● A long forgotten very well executed early restoration of the dial was done decades ago


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Maybe there are two versions of the dial.

I found this example of a watch with a dial that matches mine.

http://www.matthewbaininc.com/watch-details/1469
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File Type: jpg 5052-z copy.jpg (187.3 KB, 535 views)
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Old 23 June 2017, 11:29 AM   #25
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Old 23 June 2017, 01:07 PM   #26
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Thanks, Dennis!
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Old 23 June 2017, 01:43 PM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott View Post
Maybe there are two versions of the dial.
I found this example of a watch with a dial that matches mine
Nice watch Sir, personally I've nothing against it but the dial appears to be in unbelievably superb condition for a watch that is 70 yrs old ! Like it was given Botox treatment !Can you see the faint paint creeping up on the markers in some of the Arabic hour markers ?
The tachymeter scale (In Omega terms that's called a Racing Track dial ) is tastefully well preserved.Sure, just make the chapter ring discolour lightly above the 12 o 'clock position to look like faded jeans and Wallah ! You get a retroclassic dial! Really ? I actually prefer your example as to how the dial should be
Megan's impression: That dial shown has been Reworked, good job though but Reworked
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Old 23 June 2017, 02:16 PM   #28
GradyPhilpott
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Quote:
Originally Posted by meganfox17 View Post
Megan's impression: That dial shown has been Reworked, good job though but Reworked
Well, first I must say that given the prices that I've seen for watches like this on various sites and the price I paid, a reworked dial is not the worst of compromises.

As I said, it's the watch I love and the dealer isn't making any wild claims about the watch, either.

I'll enjoy wearing it.

Thanks for you assistance.
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Old 23 June 2017, 02:46 PM   #29
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Man that's an old school beauty Grady! Love it!
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Old 24 June 2017, 12:30 AM   #30
GradyPhilpott
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Man that's an old school beauty Grady! Love it!


Thanks!

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