LeCoultre chrono. Legit or not?

Posts

5,322

Likes

8,289

Mark020

·Nov 1, 2023·not the sharpest pencil in the ΩF drawer

Think it is legit but do not know much about these so my question: is it indeed legit https://www.ebay.com/itm/276089640856

 

This website may earn commission from Ebay sales.

Posts

92

Likes

410

Xtof

·Nov 1, 2023

😵‍💫 I don't believe in it: no underline below Lecoultre, no import code on the movement. Few pieces (like the chrono bridge) might be legit, but otherwise, I clearly doubt.

 

Posts

12,505

Likes

16,845

gatorcpa

·Nov 1, 2023·ΩF InvestiGator

These watches use generic, non-LeCoultre made movements, so they are very easy to fake.

I would not buy one of these without appropriate provenance.
gatorcpa

 

Posts

2,750

Likes

4,793

DirtyDozen12

·Nov 1, 2023·Thanks, mystery donor!

I know very little about LeCoultre, but I recognize elements of the dial design from Longines 13ZN dials (see example below). In my view, the LeCoultre dial is close enough to suggest inspiration, but different enough to suggest that it is likely not original. Key points of comparison are the tachymeter scale and seconds/minutes scale. Additionally, the gold printing appears to be on top of the black surface, rather than galvanically applied. This is another difference with the 13ZN dial below, and one that adds to my suspicion.

 

Posts

2,750

Likes

4,793

DirtyDozen12

·Nov 2, 2023·Thanks, mystery donor!

Here are a couple more LeCoultre chronograph embryos.

Source: https://www.watchnet.co.jp/en/item/view/5193

Source: https://www.watchnet.co.jp/en/item/view/1021

 

Posts

5,266

Likes

8,968

watchyouwant

·Nov 3, 2023

That case was faked in the 1990's in Poland and various unsigned movements were used. Most had no movement screws for the case and used that pronged spring loaded ring, which never really fitted. As far as I remember the dials came from a German Dial repainter, Bethge. Everything looks too good to be vintage and it isnt....

 

Posts

5,322

Likes

8,289

Mark020

·Nov 3, 2023·not the sharpest pencil in the ΩF drawer

So: too good to be true. Very interesting. Much appreciated!

 

Posts

2,750

Likes

4,793

DirtyDozen12

·Nov 3, 2023·Thanks, mystery donor!

watchyouwant

That case was faked in the 1990's in Poland and various unsigned movements were used. Most had no movement screws for the case and used that pronged spring loaded ring, which never really fitted. As far as I remember the dials came from a German Dial repainter, Bethge. Everything looks too good to be vintage and it isnt....

Thank you for sharing this information.