Collections evolve, as do collectors, and one of the promises I made myself last year was to stop buying "budget" brands that I knew would get very little wrist time relative to the Speedies, Carreras, and Subs of the world. But I've always had an eye for this particular model from Le Jour, and specifically the rarely seen iteration with three registers and a Valjoux 72 under the hood. This one popped up in a classified ad on Christmas and I ended up breaking my rule due to the insane condition - if you do a Google search for this model, you're unlikely to find anything this good - and upon first inspection, I'm learning to embrace the gray area of my "new" collecting mantra. If I was to find another watch with the following aspects, I can guarantee it wouldn't be less than $5K: - Tropical glossy dial - Valjoux 72 - Red accent in sub-dial / lollipop chrono hand - 38.5mm case So - what do you guys think?
I’ve also always liked this model. I’ve never run into one reasonably priced or at least where I thought the condition justified it. How much is the seller asking for this one?
This one is tasty-Very appealing to my eye. “Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men.” - Sir Douglas Bader I think you've hit a home run.
I should clarify - I already purchased it. I think prices are pretty reasonable for some of the cam-actuated models, but these ones are rarely seen and the patina is not typically this good. Had to do it (on Christmas, no less - my family thought I was crazy)! Cheers! I agree. About to ship it out for servicing and swap out the crystal - hopefully ti shines on the other end.
I think it's cool to try the lesser brands and models; did it in 2018, bought brands like Yema, Mondaine, Unimatic, Enicar and Certina.... Maybe I wanted to find myself falling in love with lesser known brands, to love the design, lugs case and all.. But I found myself feeling that these watches are more of a fun/project watch instead of a mainstay in rotation like how an Omega or Rolex would be. Always respected and looked up to the way you collected, perhaps I will continue to be adventurous in trying out brands and styles nonetheless.
Rules are meant to be broken. Agree to find another with the same quality as to movement and dial and finish would not be cheap. Have a fondness for the lesser brands, all part of the fun and for sure this one encapsulates it for me. That dial
I think it is a great choice and there are many more minor brands out there that can offer some excitement but without the relatively high dollars. Congrats.
sweet watch and i wouldn't overthink the purchase. watch collecting isn't about the dollars . . . i have this debate myself all the time. . but the reality is i get just as much pleasure wearing my enicar sherpagraph or technos skydiver as i do a UG or Rolex that is 3-15x the price. i have a NOS gilt mulco from the 40s i bought for a few k. . .it you love wearing it who cares whether it "stacks up" to more expensive watches. that's part of the fun!
Budget? You call that a budget model?? You've got too much money!! That's a nice watch. Can't go wrong with a V72.
Ha, well to be quite honest, Le Jour was a more economical brand relative to the Swiss stalwarts. And again, considering the characteristics of this watch, it's a fraction of the cost of (very) similar offerings. If that doesn't count as "budget," then I don't know what does!
Great catch, these are really looking great and the V72 speeks for itself. Huge congrats and wear in good health
beautiful vintage watch... but there's no way i'm paying the cash premium for it when there's nothing discernibly different than the landeron version