I went to a vintage camera and watch sale this weekend. Found this JLC in my price range. Ticks good, needs to go in for a service and cleanup, but I think I did pretty good for my first LeCoultre. If there are any experts who see something wrong, please let me know. Always good to learn what I missed.

 

Noce catch but can t tel more about it

 

It looks very nice. What is the production year?

Congrats.

Serdal

 

A Master Mariner Powermatic?

 

Getting a camera.

 

Uh oh, did I find a frankenwatch? I saw one other on the interwebz, everything looked the same except it had a 40 hour power reserve, but it was also a Master Mariner Powermatic? Or did I just find a not very desirable LeCoultre?

 

Calling @gatorcpa @Tony C. @adam78 @Northernman - we could use some help.

 

Hi.
No expert but I have seen more than yours with Master Mariner markings.
Cal 481 was the first automatic movement with power reserve indicator.
They are cool watches! Nice catch.

 

Some good photos here:

http://watchguy.co.uk/service-jaeger-lecoultre-automatic-calibre-481/

 

And some more background.
http://shop.connoisseuroftime.com/Vintage-Jaeger-LeCoultre-Master-Mariner-Reserve/dp/B00NOL8KL8

 

Thanks for the confirmation guys.

 

I have a cal 481 in the works. It is not mentioned as a "powerwind" or "powermatic".

 

@TexasKevin Well done!

The caliber 481 came with many case and dial variations, though I have not seen one like @Northernman 's before. Must be quite an early one... bears a dial very similar in style to a circa 1950 bumper 12A I used to own, LeCoultre's first automatic.


Here is my caliber 481 Powermatic, circa 1959, signed LeCoultre, for the US market.

 

Any idea on the serial numbers during the period? My watch has a 5640xx serial.

 

If that is the movement number, then it is late '40s, which would make yours the earliest example of the powerwind/powermatic I have ever seen. Production on this caliber started in 1948, and ran through 1959 (ref. Basha pg 150).

Most of these went to the US market, so that makes yours even scarcer.

DIBS!

 

Hi!
Case number unfortunately. Opening the case have proven somewhat hard. I have just obtained the correct tool for this (Breguet tool 2820). Did not want to attempt this with my "generic" opener in fear of scratching the back.
I hope to have movement shots by next week.

 

Serial on the movement has been noted as 833895 by my watchmaker.
Took unorthodox methods to get the back off!!!

But the contents looks very good!

 

And look! No signs of glue after a good soaking in acetone.

 

Unorthodox indeed! Don't try this at home! Your results may vary! Watch opened by a professional on a closed course!



That serial number puts movement production in the 1951-52 range.