For those who still don't know, there is an important auction in Paris, on the 29th of November, which is entirely dedicated to Jaeger-Lecoultre, organized by Artcurial.
The catalog is on line, you can have an eye on it, and some of us received the " paper version " some days ago.
So, let's share some thoughts about the catalog, first, before seeing what will be the results.
1/ An impressive number of lots:
565 pieces will be submitted to the auctions. 565 !!!
Is it a good thing or not?
Let's say that the answer belongs to the bidders.
Still, I'am a bit surprised to see that some of the references come in 2 or 3 examples.
Let's take the E 855: We have 3 ( !!! ) black dials!
Lot 15:
Lot 17:
Lot 387:
I still wonder why 3 are offered, while they could at least remove one, the Lot Nr 15, which comes with an awful repainted dial, and only keep the Lot Nr 17, which is the nicest...
The Master Mariner Deep Sea? 2! Ok, some will say that one is LeCoultre, the other is signed Jaeger-Lecoultre, but it is exactly the same dial.
Polaris II? Three of them are auctionned.
Lot 335:
Lot 336:
You will tell me that the Polaris II came with 3 different dials ( blue, red, and grey ), and you will be right, but here, we have two grey dials and one red dial.
No blue version. Why offering two grey dials, instead of hunting a Blue Dial?
The good thing is that you will see some watches you won't often fall on, like the Polaris 65, which would require a close examination, though ( lot 334 )
One Polaris '68 ( Lot 338 ) :
The Deep Sea Alarm, which comes in the American version ( lot 330 ) AND in the European version ( lot 331 ) even if I never saw a European DSA coming with such a caramel dial, and the crowns are not correct, while the case is nice, and the bezel seems to be good , when on the US version, the bezel is aftermarket, and the crowns are good.
The Jaeger Diving watch is here ( lot 339 ), too, but without its minute arrow hand, and the Chronograph " Shark " is missing while there is a very suspect " Antimagnetic Chrono " ( lot 352 ).
Lot 339, the Jaeger Diving watch:
And the lovely Master Mariner Dolphin ( lot 337 ) :
So, mixed feeling, to say all... I would have expected a more severe selection of watches, and a more complete collection of representative watches.
2/ The evaluation and the condition of the watches.
Globally, I'm surprised, but here again, the bidders will make their own law.
We can never know when some days ago, we saw a black Memovox reaching the crazy price of 20 000 CHF!
Globally, I find these estiamtions too high, but it is my personal point of view.
At least, I would have expected watches in excellent condition, and it is not always, by far, the case.
Some examples:
The Geophysic ( lot 362 ), and the Geomatic ( lot 373 ) obviously made the war...
The Parking ( lot 375 ) had a tough life:
And in a few cases, it is even worse, as the dials are repainted, as previously said...
There are some strange things, too...
Some examples: A " Marine Nationale " which normally is very close to the E 159 SHOM is a Memovox, here ( Lot 360 ) :
A Marine Nationale which was observed in last May, and posted here.
At this moment, we were told by JLC that they will never authentificate this watch ( while I think it may well be good ).
What to think?
Did JLC approve this watch, finally?
Sold 5 000 Euros in May by another auction house, it is now estimated between... 15 and 25 000 Euros.
Same for the SHOM, lot 359. Auctionned in May at 3 000 Euros, it is now estimated between 10 and 15 000 Euros.
What to think about the Geophysic ( lot 367 ) which comes, as described in the text, with a ... PORCELAIN dial???
Not sure that the dial is good, and that is only a bad typo... When you have a closer look at it, and if you focus on the shape of the first " R " of Chronometer...
3/ Despite these observations, there are some cool timekeepers to have an eye on.
- Vintage Wristwatches:
A funky 3072, not the nicest I've seen, but not bad... ( Lot 23 )
A very elegant E 329, even if the dial is in so so condition ( lot 34 )
Some very cool Reversos, like these 3 ( Blue White and Red, since we are in France.
)
Lot 71:
Lot 66:
Lot 70:
Estimations in these cases are high, but not irrealistic when you compare them with the prices they fetched on the last auctions.
Some Geophysics...
In Yellow Gold ( lot 366 )
Or in Rose Gold ( lot 369 )
Both estimated too high, in my opinion (
15 / 20 000 Euros! ) but at least, they are pleasant to see, correct, and in quite good condition.
Two other Chronometers, in soild gold: The Master Mariner, which is very interesting, even if its dial is not in the best condition, and the Geomatic ( Lot 365 and 371 ) :
A very nice Calendar Disk, Ref 2777, rare, and beautiful ( Lot 399 ) :
As we are mentionning dates, there are some other interesting specimens, like these 2 ( Lot 262 and 263 ) :
Some cool Memovoxes, now:
A fine World Time, sadly not 3160, but at least it is correct and in good shape: ( Lot 397 )
And the famous pair of E 855" scale dial " in gold ( lot 385 ) or in stainless steel ( lot 392 ) :
Strangely dated in 1957, in the catalog, you should understand 1969, like the gold sister. But both are really great!
Let's also speak about some military watches.
An interesting black dialed pocket watch, lot 347, while the white dial is in poor condition ( lot 346 ) :
A very nice Mark VII " fat lugs ", quite rare ( see my recent review ), lot 348
And a lovely Mark VII Weems ( lot 354 )
We should not forget some lady watches...For our better halves!
- Modern wristwatches:
The Master Minute Repeater is present, in its rose gold version, as well as the Perpetual Calendar skeleton, and some great Reversos in the same metal ( Chrono and 60eme ) but I would have ALSO expected some true monsters, like the Gyrotourbillon One or the Extrem Lab One.
The 60eme ( lot 425 ) and its 14Ct Rose Gold movement:
Some " old " friends, as this somptuous black dialed Reserve De Marche ( lot 135 )
Or this not less appealing Master Calendar ( lot 136 ). Still I regret to not see the other black series, such as the Ultra Thin, the Memovox, or the Geographique!
At least, the Master Grande Memovox in platinum is here, back from the early 2000. Lot 526 )
And a piece unique, the Reverso à Eclipse " ZEP " in Rose Gold ( lot 519 )
- Clocks and Atmos:
Lot 52, a tempting " Map of the Sky " from the Thirties, just sublime:
A lot of Vintage and modern Atmos, like the Mark Newson, or these 2 Vintage which speal very loud to me, in a totally different way:
Lot 511, the original from the 30ies:
Lot 518, a very nice CH 2, from the same era:
4/ Thoughts and conclusion:
I would have much preferred, for an unique auction, a more restricted selection of impeccable pieces... Less, but in better condition.
I would also have wished to see some references which are missing, here, and I'm a bit deceived by the high ( too high / visionary? ) estimations, while it would have been fairer to let the bidders make the price.
The big regret is that there is not enough information on some important watches, too, and a guideline, a more constructed catalog...
The risk is to see many, too many watches unsold, because too highly priced, or in not that good condition.
There lies the paradox: If you consider pieces which are not among the most famous, but which have a strong interest, you're a connoisseur.
If you're a connoisseur, then you know the market.
If you know the market, you know where to find them, at a much more interesting price.
All these details make the difference between an unique auction and a point of sale.
Still, there are some very interesting pieces, and, of course among those I didn't mention, but I couldn't mention all of them in such a short time.
Still, I am pretty sure that some of us will get the watch, pocket watch, clock or Atmos of their dreams.
So, have an eye on the auction, and best of luck to the bidders!
Best,
Nicolas.
This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-11-21 00:59:05 This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-11-26 14:24:05 
