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JLC can anyone identify this model

CPRwatch
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Went walking around the diamond district yesterday in New York & saw these caught my eye , but struggling to identify the model or reference on these & google hasn’t got much to offer in way of information. The dealer said make me an offer for both but without any knowledge on them I don’t want to put in a daft offer . So any information greatly appreciated in advance & sorry about the quality of the pictures , but I didn’t want to seem over interested in them , but they have got a look to them I quite like .
B599FB57-8A44-4C75-AC5B-00A622B3739D.jpeg A7C7AB15-5F6F-40F2-A235-24CCF3CCDA04.jpeg E969B5C1-0DCD-4511-863E-A7F4CBA30B2E.jpeg
 
aginoz
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CPRwatch CPRwatch
Went walking around the diamond district yesterday in New York & saw these caught my eye , but struggling to identify the model or reference on these & google hasn’t got much to offer in way of information. The dealer said make me an offer for both but without any knowledge on them I don’t want to put in a daft offer . So any information greatly appreciated in advance & sorry about the quality of the pictures , but I didn’t want to seem over interested in them , but they have got a look to them I quite like .
B599FB57-8A44-4C75-AC5B-00A622B3739D.jpeg A7C7AB15-5F6F-40F2-A235-24CCF3CCDA04.jpeg E969B5C1-0DCD-4511-863E-A7F4CBA30B2E.jpeg
Manual JLC Dates from the early/mid 1950s. Not common - usually with a nice 17j movement. Have seen both solid gold and gf cases. The dials are not signed Swiss and may well be refinished, judging by the misalignment of the outer track with the applied markers, hard to tell from the pics.
 
CPRwatch
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Thanks aginoz for your reply , very helpful & one of the watches is signed Swiss . And the tracks aren’t misaligned it’s just the poor quality of the pictures & the one on the right would definitely need a new crystal also . Have you any idea of the value as a ballpark , cos I’m in the dark on values .
 
aginoz
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CPRwatch CPRwatch
Thanks aginoz for your reply , very helpful & one of the watches is signed Swiss . And the tracks aren’t misaligned it’s just the poor quality of the pictures & the one on the right would definitely need a new crystal also . Have you any idea of the value as a ballpark , cos I’m in the dark on values .
Values remotely are never a good idea - not rare, gf, manual, at least one with a refinished dial etc - have to say I’d err on the side of “low”. I’m in the 750 - 850 for both range but my approach is based on wholesale.
 
Dan S
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Do you know if they are gold or gold-filled? And if gold, 14k or 18k? Case size will also make a huge difference in value. 18k jumbo (37mm) case compared to gold-filled 34mm case could be a factor of 3-4 difference in value.

The condition of the dial also impacts value GREATLY, and the photos aren't good enough for us to judge. Although I have the sense that the dial on the watch with the tan strap has some damage.

[Edit: I just did a quick google images search and found a couple of examples. Both were 14k gold, and listed as 32mm and 33mm, respectively. The size will really hurt the value.]
Edited:
 
aginoz
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Dan S Dan S
Do you know if they are gold or gold-filled? And if gold, 14k or 18k? Case size will also make a huge difference in value. 18k jumbo (37mm) case compared to gold-filled 34mm case could be a factor of 3-4 difference in value.

The condition of the dial also impacts value GREATLY, and the photos aren't good enough for us to judge. Although I have the sense that the dial on the watch with the tan strap has some damage.
Don’t know and have to assume gold filled - the dealer will know. Have to look at the caseback and the movement (corrosion). If they are 18k gold you can look at $600-$700 each but the rest holds.
 
aginoz
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Dan S Dan S
Article about this reference: https://www.watchprozine.com/jaeger...hidden-jewel-from-the-manufacture-/9202346/2/
Good article, mostly. Doesn’t change the basics. 33mm is just that - “wears like 35-36” as per the article is nonsense. At the price point, again I think in wholesale, there are more interesting watches IMO. The article mentions Memovox and Polaris but that is like comparing a Speedy with a 70s gf manual c case - not reasonable. They have to stand on their own merit - not because JLC also made grails.
 
X350 XJR
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US market model, caliber 810/AW, 14K solid gold, 30.5mm.

IMG_3619.jpg $(KGrHqRHJCYFDzSowPVbBRvRPuto!Q~~60_57.JPG
Edited:
 
gatorcpa
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Those watches have been redialed. I do not believe that particular model was ever sold under the Jaeger-LeCoultre brand name.

I would bet you a lunch that if opened, the movements would be marked “LeCoultre Unadjusted” and bear a US import mark.

The cases should be from a US manufacturer as well and generally say something like “Cased and timed in the US by LeCoultre”. The are either 14K gold or gold-filled.

This was all done to save customs duties and compete more effectively with US movement manufacturers like Hamilton and Elgin.

At that time JLC only used the “Jaeger” name in the US for aircraft and nautical instruments. Watches were only marketed as “LeCoultre”. This changed in the 1970’s, and by 1980 the JLC name was used worldwide.

Hope this helps,
gatorcpa
 
Dan S
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gatorcpa gatorcpa
Those watches have been redialed. I do not believe that particular model was ever sold under the Jaeger-LeCoultre brand name.

I would bet you a lunch that if opened, the movements would be marked “LeCoultre Unadjusted” and bear a US import mark.

The cases should be from a US manufacturer as well and generally say something like “Cased and timed in the US by LeCoultre”. The are either 14K gold or gold-filled.

This was all done to save customs duties and compete more effectively with US movement manufacturers like Hamilton and Elgin.

At that time JLC only used the “Jaeger” name in the US for aircraft and nautical instruments. Watches were only marketed as “LeCoultre”. This changed in the 1970’s, and by 1980 the JLC name was used worldwide.

Hope this helps,
gatorcpa

This was included in the article I linked above. I have cropped out the relevant part of the advertising brochure.

jlc_5412451.jpg
 
gatorcpa
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Not 14K. JLC’s from that era were either 18K or steel.
gatorcpa
 
Dan S
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gatorcpa gatorcpa
Not 14K. JLC’s from that era were either 18K or steel.
gatorcpa

Good to know, but I don't think we know the material of the OP watches yet. If they are 14k, then we'll know they aren't legit. Or if the movements are marked as you suggest. 👍

Edit: That is assuming the OP even bothers to go back for 33mm watches.
Edited:
 
CPRwatch
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Thanks everyone for all your replies above & some very informative information, that’s really got me even more interested .We are out & about sightseeing today , but will probably call back to the dealer tomorrow to check out the watches again & some of the points raised above about the case material & redials .
 
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