Bretta
94
Definitely recased
Hi Ilja,
Thanks for your insights but this is definitely not an original LeCoultre case, so I still believe it used to be a Weems.
The current case was originally gold that has now worn off, the case backs says that it is "automatic" which is wrong as this is a manual wind cal. 450, also it has a very crude piece of metal acting as a spacer.
I don't suppose you still have a spare case, do you?
kindest regards
Bretta
A view on the Mark VII, aka Weems
I / The Context: Since the end of the 19th Century and the very early years of the XXth Century, Jaeger Lecoultre was the supplier of the Army, with some Torpedo Boat Chronometers ( For the French and the US Army, for example ). But, if we have to talk ab...
Since you have a JLC "Weems" ...
shouldn't you get the Longines too ? It' s a crazy watch Nicolas, in terms of history and proportions .... 33 mm, pretty thick and massive winding crown(s) . It looks awesome with the green strap. As for the WS ... hmmm... i like it with the leather jacke...
As a coincidence, I recently saw a Longines Weems
And if this JLC Weems is pretty small, the Longines Weems looks even smaller. Only 1 mm difference between these 2 " cousins ", but it is really noticeable Smaller, and less thick, too. I prefer the JLC. Thanks for your input, my friend. Best, Nicolas
Lovely watch, great pix.
When will JLC start to re-produce pilot watches? Any ideas? Best, Jean
You're absolutely right to ask, JPSF
As the Pilot watches are, with the Geophysic the very rare watches to not have a continuation in the modern JLC production. Due to their size ( 33mm for the Weems, 35mm for the Mark 11 and the WWW ), I doubt that JLC will re edit them. BUT, why not re int...
JLC should offer pilot watches in order to
complete range of JLC sport watches. I mean, replica or not. I want to be in the first line to get JLC pilot watches.
There are other unexplored fields to fill, indeed
Like the Geophysic, and these Pilot watches... But there are also very interesting developments taken from the Extrem Lab, the re edition of the Memovox, and so on. Yes, these Pilot are very appealing, and I would like to see them back to life, too! Best,...
hopefully.....
JLC is monitoring this forum so maybe are wishes will come true lol cheers
Once again...
A great review my friend JLC should re interpret it cheers ps some days have gone by and you have yet to post a vintage FF- have you reached your limit?
My praises are joining yours, Pink Panther! Thanks for the nice words, my friend.
As for the FF, don't worry, I have some in reserve... Best, Nicolas
And I thought...
that you promised that after two more you will stop..... Cheers my friend
In my opinion...
there is indeed a market for the reinterpretation of such a "bad-boy" pilots watch, albeit in a larger size. Again I thank you Nicolas for showing us these photos of watches that were and that could be again. (If we are to be so lucky!) N
A missing link which has to be filled, Neil...
Can't agree more with you! But a bigger size is not an esay thing as it may break the harmony of this watch. Not impossible, but difficult. Best, my friend. Nicolas
Nicolas, would the “extra” leather strap on the model with the red “12”...
…have the purpose of protecting the users’ wrist from the huge “locking” crown? Marcelo
Certainly not, Marcelo
As the crown at 4 is not uncomfortable at all, so the wrist doesn't have to be protected. Therefore, I think ( not sure ) that the dotation strrap is the one monuted on my watch. Best, Marcelo. Nicolas
Nice report, Nicolas!
It's interesting how the design and layout of the Weems' dial, bezel, case, and lugs give it a much larger presence in general, and on the wrist, than its actual 33mm size would suggest. The overall spirit of the watch is one of strength and masculinity. ...
Exactly, Daos
When I first saw it, I was saying to myself " wow, very cool, but way too small ". Then I tried it before decising anything, and once on my wrist, I had to admit ( once again ) ,that the small size was a very relative issue, as this watch has a great and ...
Awesome review again N!
Were the hands on the Brit. version changed to blue or r they orig?! Thanks in advance and wear ur timekeeper in great health my friend, Matrix.
a fine detailed review for a very collectible watch
very high quality pictures to let us appreciate this interesting model NOw you only need a vintage plane to go with it
As for the Vintage plan, I have an idea... :)
As for the watch, yes, I think that these Vintage JLC Pilot are very underated, and that they are great collectible watches. In Terms of pleasure, I mean. Best, Time2tic! Nicolas
can you believe it?
Such a beautiful watch and a very interesting post, thanks Nicolas... you know I like the vintage posts, particularly the military reviews. What is the general consensus on the cal.450? Was this one of their finer, simpler or tougher movements? Now... can...
Weems
Hi Bretta, What you got there is not really a Weems, this kind of watch is missing the 2nd crown devise (thread in case). Further it is missing the cut out area at the case top for the L-shaped locking device. My guess: This kind of watch is a pre-Weems a...
Definitely recased
Hi Ilja, Thanks for your insights but this is definitely not an original LeCoultre case, so I still believe it used to be a Weems. The current case was originally gold that has now worn off, the case backs says that it is "automatic" which is wrong as thi...
well...
Guess someone had to get them off the market. I just need the damn locking stuff, than I can call it the largest collection of LeCoultre Weems to be known. Lol 2 UK issued 1 US AC and 2 unsigned plus two case tops left. Have to admit the Weems is my all t...
Aaah, Ilja, I love to read things like that! :)))
Well done, my friend. Just hope that you will be able to find the locking stuff! Can't wait for the group shot . Best, Nicolas
too lazy
Haha my friend. In the meantime take Zaf's book, the UK one in there is mine. Reminds me to give a watchmaker in Bordeaux a call to send back the sample parts. I really need to get these missing parts re-produced by some skilled manufacturer. Ilja
Do you have a solution for
The special Deep Sea Alarm crowns, Ilja? I need 2 sets. Best, Nicolas PS: Yes I saw yours in Zaf's book.
it used to be easy...
I just bought enough Deep Sea Alarm's until the original crowns for my personal were complete. The remainings got sold with a little premium to cover my expenses. But that's just how it went in the good old days. For the present I have no solution. Seriou...
Le Sentier doesn't have crowns, anymore
It was my first idea, but sadly...they told me that they didn't have anymore DSA crowns in stock. As for the guy in Suburban Paris, I know 2. A guy whose watches are in Zaf's Book, or THE other one? As for Weems parts, I fear it is the same... Best, Nicol...
...
Me thinks we hijacked your very own thread. Well, as long the moderator is involved. JCB is the man for DSA bezels. I used to have some very similar crowns, I'll have a look tomorrow if 2 are left for you.
:) , as long as I'm involved
That would be great if you find these bloody crowns for me, Ilja... Thanks a lot, with anticipation! Best, Nicolas
Can't believe it, Bretta
Even if this doesn't surprise me a lot, as I saw so many " arrangements " with History... As for the Cal 450, not the finer, if you consider the Cal on the Mark 11 which is much nicer. But not ugly at all! As for the Weems case, see Ilja post, this man is...
"But, if we have to talk about the very first wrist watch conceived for Pilots"
Wouldn't that be the original Cartier Santos? OK, "pilot" singular. My burning question there is -- did the original that Cartier made for M. Santos-Dumont in 1904 contain a Le Coultre movement? Anyone, anyone? I never found the answer. If so, JLC really ...
I meant among the JLC watches, ajlc
Because I know anotehr one which was anterior to the JLC Weems, the Omega from 1938. As for the Cartier Santos, can't tell you, my friend, as I know very few things about this brand. Best, Nicolas
Yes, Xavier, but
You will have to be a bit patient, as it takes time... Best, Nicolas
thanks very much Nico for another great post...
hi Nico, after reading your post, i have very simple questions in mind are that any relation of this JLC Mark VII and IWC Mark VII? why so intersting they both have the same model name? or why they named Mark VII? any special meaing behind? sorry if there...
I have to confess that I know quite nothing about the IWC Mark V II, Stefan
Any pics to help me a bit? Best, Nicolas
So cool; great report
A watch wit character. The Weems and the Lindbergh are such a fantastic watches. Strange enough the re issues never made it, evn the earlier ones with the handwound pocket movement, were never a success. Geo
Well, Geo
Longines made a recent Re Edition of the Weems, in the 90ies. Not JLC. Let's hope that one day... Best, and thanks for the nice words! Nicolas
i had the Wittnauer weems. a civilian US version of the Longines
very small, but interestingly had the patent number on the dial and the bezel lock at 2 oclock. pilots watches seem to have been the main backbone of my military collection and i cant figure out why. possibly its because pilots and observors need watches,...
Thanks for the pic of this Wittnauer, Graham
Strangely, this one is very close to the JLC, except the crown for the bezel which is located at 2 on the Longines, and at 4 on the JLC. Due to the thin bezel, and to the fact that the Longines is maybe 1 mm less big than the JLC, the difference is obviou...
your quite right, military collecting...
your quite right, military collecting is easy for the first 50 then you get into having to look hard for the rarer pieces which, as you say, cost the earth. they are no longer the hidden unknowns that they were a number of years ago. virtually every selle...
Be careful, Flamenco
You're turning Vintage... But you're right, this is a great piece to add in a collection. The only problem is to find one... The bird is pretty rare. Best, Nicolas
