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Any love for the Futurematic?

  1. rkman11 Jun 5, 2018

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    Never owned one, but they’ve always caught my eye. I mean, the name alone! Any owners? Any dream stories? Any horror stories? I know servicing and parts can be rough...
     
  2. Thegreatroberto Jun 5, 2018

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    Dont know much exvept parts are hatd to get. Not sure if JLC can still get them or not. A frw of thesr vintagr JLC ate of inttest to me, but most have had their dials worked. Not sure if size eise they'd be a bit small. They tend yo be about 35mm.
     
  3. rkman11 Jun 5, 2018

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    Yeah, the lack of parts and the redone dials have always kept me away. Same with the Memovox. Too bad, great watches. And the size, for me, is perfect. My everyday is 35.
     
  4. Professor Jun 6, 2018

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    Great looking watch, and innovative.
    I like the no crown winding and setting arrangement.

    Untouched-Jaeger-LeCoultre-Futurematic-Long-Lug-Power-Reserve-.jpg
     
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  5. waking-crickets Jun 6, 2018

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    I finally got one this year after, maybe, two years of looking on and off. My main collecting interest is in mechanical alarms, but after getting a vintage Memovox and then a modern Master Control, I've started getting more interested in JLC's history.

    Plenty of redials and cruddy cases to watch out for, but once you find a good specimen, they are great watches. In the US, I don't think servicing is too big of a deal. There is a noted Futurematic specialist in the DC area.

    Here's mine:
    fuurematic.jpg
     
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  6. waking-crickets Jun 6, 2018

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    Oh yeah, let's not forget the fun in hunting all of the dial and case variations!
     
  7. Vitezi Jun 6, 2018

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  8. gatorcpa ΩF InvestiGator Staff Member Jun 6, 2018

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    Oldie, but goodie:

    http://community.fortunecity.ws/marina/breakwater/13/future.html

    It’s not that you can’t get them serviced, it’s just that when they need service you want someone that knows what they are doing. Very few watchmakers really know these watches as some of the features are unusual. The cost of repair is high.

    Kinda like a old Mazda rotary engine. Gets the job done in a different way.

    I very rarely wear mine anymore for fear of breakage.
    gatorcpa
     
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  9. rkman11 Jun 6, 2018

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    Beauty!
     
  10. rkman11 Jun 6, 2018

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    Great info, THANK YOU!
     
  11. Professor Jun 6, 2018

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    Looks like the button mounted in the back would make a true water proof case closure impossible. The button itself couldn't be fitted with an effective seal without making it hard to turn.
    Even sweat from the wearers wrist might infiltrate from capillary action.
    Has this been a problem for Futurmatic owners in the past?

    Then again if you can afford one you can hire others to do the sweating for you.
     
  12. gatorcpa ΩF InvestiGator Staff Member Jun 6, 2018

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    The Futurematic was not any more expensive than other similar watches when new. That’s probably why JLC lost money on them.

    I’ve never heard of a problem with the rear crowns having excessive moisture leakage. Then again, the watch was never designed to have any sort of water resistance in the first place.
    gatorcpa
     
  13. staristheanswer Jun 6, 2018

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    How you set the time on this one?
     
  14. gatorcpa ΩF InvestiGator Staff Member Jun 6, 2018

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    Crown on back pushes in towards the center. This stops the watch, literally by touching the balance, and engages the setting gears.

    When set, push the crown out, and watch starts.

    Very easy when you know how.
    gatorcpa
     
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  15. gatorcpa ΩF InvestiGator Staff Member Jun 6, 2018

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    Great video below.
    The only thing I would add is that when setting, I use the side of my finger to rotate the serrated button on the back.

    Much easier to operate that way.
    gatorcpa
     
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