A good friend of mine has recently lost his Father, he mentioned that he wore an old watch for many years. So I asked him if he didn't mind showing it to me.
He told me that his Father had owned the watch for something like 50 years, before that it belonged to his Grandfather, we figured the watch to be from 1930's / 1940's.
The watch had been worn every day, the glass is scratched and chipped, the watch body which is 18k gold is full of scratches, the bracelet has been replaced along the way and it's covered in paint !!. A real beater.
So I took some pic's. Sorry about the quality of photo's I took these at work with my iphone.... But when I popped off the back I found a lovely bumper movement...









Having a problem posting pics. I'll take better ones when I get chance. Be happy to have your comments.

 

JLC bumpers are pretty nice. It looks like the dial has been refinished some time ago as I don't recognize that font for 'Automatic'. Possibly a replacement crown but that's not uncommon. On the edge of the movement by the balance wheel is the serial number - post it here and I can estimate when it was manufactured, +/- a year.

Heirlooms are the best watches of any collection.

 

Hi Dennis, my friend has just got back to me with the serial number.. 1127789.
He also said there's a number on the inside back case 30128.
Hope this helps to date the watch.
Thanks
Steve.

 

1956 starts off at 1,130,000 so that watch is from late 1955.

 

Ok, thanks Dennis, not as old as first thought. I think he's going to have it serviced, cleaned and a new glass put on. You where right about the refinished dial, he took it to bulova many years ago, of all people to have if serviced and cleaned.
But the sad part is he's going to sell it after its been repaired, he said he wouldn't wear it. Not sure if might make a cheeky offer ?. Is it worth going for ?

 

I agree, he tends to go for modern watches with square dials, so this vintage piece isn't his thing. So I if I bought it he'd know it has gone to a good home and if he ever wanted it back, its there.
Plus I think it would be a good introduction to vintage watches ?.

 

Ok, I'll keep you posted.

 

Sell it?????I'll arrest him immediately. Even if it weren't an heirloom, that baby deserves to spend some time at the spa. I can think of at least one Mod here who likes JLC'S!!

 

Needs to have his head examined, and one day he'll be really sorry he sold it.