ooh a Futurematic Porthole... @rolokr that's a terrible pic but it's a terrific watch! I would consider this a high-end vintage watch. Not a fan of bumper movements in general, but the ones used by JLC (815, 825, and 817, in this case) are as good as bumper movements can get imo. love the "missing" crown too
I don't need to see any more than that. Here is the E 502 Futurematic in steel from the 1961 JLC catalog: Big pictures can be found here: http://jlc.watchprosite.com/?show=forumpost&fi=2&pi=4723353&ti=722338&msid=&s= Production information here: http://jlc.watchprosite.com/?show=forumpostf&fi=2&pi=1734166&ti=266358&s=0 Note that if your watch contains the cal. 837 movement (with black disk), then it is one of only 500 produced. I don't have many watches that I consider "grails", but that is one of them. Here's its American cousin: Congratulations on a great find! gatorcpa
here an interesting writeup - to dig deeper into the technical aspects of this watch ... (probably a different movement) http://watchguy.co.uk/repair-service-lecoultre-futurematic-calibre-817/ (imho - def. one of the more interesting watch blogs on the webs) cheers Al
They came in stainless steel as well. At least I have seen several (as in more than one) in stainless. But not with the cal 837... I vote for legit!
Here's a post about repair of one of those http://watchguy.co.uk/repair-service-lecoultre-futurematic-calibre-817/ Weird movement.
High end compared to what? For many, it definitely is. For collectors of vintage Pateks or complicated platinum pieces of various sorts, probably not. Either way, enjoy it and maybe post a legible photo.
I think the label "High End" is more than justified in any context. It is not claiming that it is the highest of the highest on the scale but well above the mean average. Like a BMW, Merc or Jag may be denoted high end cars, they are not exotic cars like Bentley or Lamborghini. Patek and extreme complications in my view then are also definitely High End, but also in a separate exotics category. Just my thoughts....
LOLLLL AHAHA cracked up with my manager next to me To the poster, a Jaeger is definitely considered higher end than other BRANDS, but is this watch considered higher end in the Jaeger family, not as much. Overall though, it's great! Let's hope your bumper features the 837 movement mentioned above
When this Futurematic was made, who manufactured a better quality movement? I would say Patek Philippe, Vacheron et Constantin (ironically many VC were tweaked LeCoultre-based movements), Audemars Piguet, IWC. Would you say Rolex was better? More jewels and chronometer rated... What about our beloved Omega? Maybe a Constellation but not a Seamaster? What about Zenith? The 135 maybe... I have always (30 years of collecting) considered LeCoultre the finest of the no-frills/17 jewel unadjusted movements. Definitely top 10 in the day (when the Futurematic was made), even higher/better today.