I wanted to share the latest addition to my collection. A watch that I was really surprised didn’t garner more attention when it popped up on eBay last year, or at least that I was able to buy well within my max bid. I’m based in the U.K. and the watch was auctioned in France, Lyon. By an antiques/house clearance dealer. I arranged for the watch to be shipped to a friend in Paris…however once the auction finished, the seller decided they didn't want to ship it as it was more expensive than they imagined it would sell for, and they were concerned it would get stolen in the post. As I can’t speak French and he didn’t speak English, I had to use google translate and get help from my friend. We worked it out and I was very lucky that my friend was able to collect it on motorway lay by on their way south. The JLC triple calendar is one of my all time favourite watches. And I have been searching for a nice one for years. Having missed out on a very nice moon phase version with beguet numerals many years ago, due to an error on my part when I first started collecting, I have been determined to find an equally nice example (moon or non moonphase). Finding them in good condition is difficult due to the propensity for moisture to get into the case of this model and affect the dial. I am very lucky to have 2 now with flawless dials. And the thing they had in common when I bought them were cracked crystals. My theory is the owner simply left them in the draw and stopped wearing them when they damaged the crystal. As they are clearly been worn and used, but the dials are immaculate. It great to still be able to find these gems and find ones that have not been effected by the hype that makes then out for reach. Maybe it’s the lack of decent quality examples coming to market or maybe just fashion, either way I couldn’t be happier. And now for some pictures
Thanks Tony, it really is a beauty. It was approx £3.5k in an eBay auction, so the going mkt price I guess! I would have paid significantly more tbh.
What a jewel, absolutely gorgeous! I'd love to put a Dibs in....I doubt it will ever happen, but one never knows
Huge congrats.. This is an incredible catch. It amazes me that in this era of information at ones fingertips, there are still sellers that undervalue.
Thanks Larry, I’ve been searching for a long time and couldn’t be happier. I really do think the cracked crystal stopped it getting worn at some point and helped preserve the dial. As for the seller, he had a general antiques store and didn’t specialise in watches so put it on an ebay auction at a stating price that I assume gave him his profit. From memory he seemed to be turning over general house clearance items.
Just browsing the Geneva Auction Catalogues and noticed Christie’s have the rarer moon phase version coming up for sale. Nice to see a smattering of offerings that are not the usual suspects from Christie’s. https://www.christies.com/auction/rare-watches-21981-gnv
According to their own condition report the dial is reprinted, the hands relumed and the seconds hand is not original. The moonphase dial doesn't look right, either. Pretty strong estimate at CHF 8,000 - 12,000 + 26% buyers premium. Let's see what it brings.
Yeah that’s really strong if it is a redial. I had not seen the condition report. Good they include the info. On closer inspection I also think the top right lug may have be re-soldered, however it’s hard to tell with only the photos. oh well I guess it really highlights how hard it is to find well preserved examples.
Funny when I found a little JLC at a watch shop I couldn’t stop thinking if perhaps he had something like this or a diver laying around at some crazy price. I couldn’t help myself and went back today to poke around. No such luck of course but you have a great looking watch enjoy.
Update on the black dial watch shown above that was auctioned by Christie's in Geneva today (Lot 66). Total price incl premium, a staggering CHF 21,420, that's right at US$24,000. That's for a redialed watch with unoriginal seconds hand. There is a lot of stupid money floating around out there.
Thank you It’s a good habit to ask, as they are out there, maybe sitting out back with a cracked crystal . I think it was Adam Golden of Menta Watches who told the story of getting a blue/grey dial speedy from a watch dealer in Italy after seeing his inventory and asking if there was anything else and he pulled it out of the safe. The guy wasn’t aware of its value and he bagged a bargain. Sold it at Phillips if I remember.
Wow, even with what appears to be a good re-dial, that’s bonkers. I thought it was only Philips that pulled off results like that Thanks for the update.
Interesting to note that the Cartier Cintree with a disclosed restored dial by Cartier in 1999, hammered for just over CHF 300K (estimate 20-40k). https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-6...k&intObjectID=6424402&from=salessummary&lid=1
