Not sure what over polished means on a 65 year old watch. Not sure if any unpolished examples could ever be found to compare it to. If the edges have grown softer with age, it makes me think of the beautiful old brass instruments on ships...softened from years of use and cleaning. I consider it as much of a patina as how the sun affects certain dials.
Yellow. 9k, which I think is unique to the UK market. Not coating or filled, but an actual alloy rated 375 vs 750 for 18k.
When the original strap size was 18mm and it now looks better on a 20mm strap, I consider that over-polished. Opinions...
This strap size is 16mm. The case is 35mm. The lugs (all of them) have well defined edges without being knife sharp or overly angular. The watch seems consistant with Pateks and VC that I have seen from that era. The four digit number on the case back is easily readable with only minor evidence of wear, and that is even across all the numbers. Maybe we are talking about the word "over" polished. And that becomes a personal opinion.
I think that through the years JLC have made some of the best looking dress watches. I was looking for a Patek 5127, but I think the round dial JLCs are better looking watches. Hence my interest in a Jumbo, as above.
This thread reminds me of when I first got into vintage Rolexes 22 years ago. I found that I had done all I wanted to...owned all I wanted to of that brand. And now I'm starting all over again, discovering Jaeger LeCoultre. I know I've bought too many too fast. Now, going through my small in number vintage collection, I really have to thin the herd and put some of the money back in the bank. However I discovered a JLC watch, relatively modern...and my first two offers have been rejected by the seller. This will be the most I've spent on a watch...but I am powerless to resist this one. I just made the third offer. If they pass this time, then I will have to retreat and let it go. I don't even want to curse my chance of getting it by mentioning the model or posting a picture. It is 7:24 am in Germany...I don't know if they will look at their offers on a Saturday morning and reply. If I get it, I really really really will stop buy while I sell the watches that are no longer keepers. This watch I am lusting after, and my Ultra Thin Small Seconds, may
That one has quite the interesting crown? Does it say "LeC"? It certainly doesn't look like it starts with a "J". Regardless, the watch looks fantastic!
I wonder if I fell asleep before I finished my last post. Sadly the seller and I couldn't agree on price. Only a thousand dollars a part but when you add another thousand in sales tax plus a thousand in Customs duty...and I just felt it was time to step back. This pushes me to consider a steel version. I've got 8 gold dress watches and only 2 steel watches...so another steel wouldn't be bad for usability and balance. I won't show the gold version that didn't happen but here is a picture of the watch I'm seeing in person on Monday...cash in hand. Known as the Geophysic 1958, it is 38.5 mm, made in 2014, one of 800 pieces (the gold was one of 300). It can work as a dress watch, and it also has been built to be worn by scientists and adventurers...combines the ruggedness of the Explorer 1, and the electro magnetic shield of a Milgauss. I also like the white dial and off white hands (a tribute to the original Geophysic made in 1958.) Interesting feature, the lum dots are not on the dial but on the inside of the bezel so they don't clutter up the face. The original Geophysic was made celebrate LeCoultre's 125 anniversary in the business and also to the be part of the international scientific geophysical exploration and events beginning that year. This 2014 Geophysic 1958 is a slightly larger and upgraded salute to the original.
Fantastic. Thanks for sharing! I've always assumed vintage LeCoultre would have a blank crown or one with a "JL". Always great to be here since I learn something new everyday!
Yeah, I think a number of the US market ones originally had LeC signed crowns. They'd get replaced in service etc. often with regular or JL ones, pretty cool to see one.
A little Memovox action in 10K GF on blue saffiano leather ... alarm set for the perfect time ... with a plated deployant from StrapsCo holding it all together.