Jaeger-LeCoultre Quartermaster E 326: Authenticity Debate

Key Points from the Discussion

• The auctioned watch's dial script for 'Automatic' and 'Quartermaster' matches other authentic LeCoultre watches from the same era, such as the Marine Master, suggesting its originality despite catalog errors.
• Auction catalog descriptions, especially for less common vintage references like the LeCoultre Quartermaster, often contain errors. Savvy collectors can leverage these inaccuracies to their advantage, potentially deterring other bidders.
• The absence of a specific notch at the base of the crown on the auctioned watch, which is present on known correct Quartermaster examples, remains a point of concern regarding its originality.
• While the catalog's reference number might be incorrect, this does not automatically deem the watch a fake. The lugs on the auctioned piece are considered correct for its specific case version, though the crown appears to be a replacement.
• Some community members express a general distrust of Antiquorum due to past issues with listings and experiences shared by other collectors.
• The possibility of a manufacturer error, such as Jaeger-LeCoultre assigning the same reference number twice, is considered unlikely but not impossible, highlighting the complexities of vintage watch authentication.