Comments:
Patience!
This will be incredible when you get it back fully restored. It will be gorgeous! What a beautiful watch. A true treasure!
Thank you so much. In fact waiting a few more
weeks isn’t really hard because I’ve already been waiting for more than 55 weeks. So a few weeks more isn’t huge!
Best, Emmanuel
Best, Emmanuel
I’m very happy for you!
It’s nice from a brand to be able to restore this rare old pieces, however very disappointing that they can’t keep the self estimated timelines…
I had lots of similar issues with other brands(except Rolex).
But as you said there’s no rush and good things take time!
Can’t wait to see it upon return…
I had lots of similar issues with other brands(except Rolex).
But as you said there’s no rush and good things take time!
Can’t wait to see it upon return…
Thank you so much. I can’t wait too,
but I’ll be patient! 😇
After all, they have to make three beautiful hands, a crown and a crystal!
Best, Emmanuel
After all, they have to make three beautiful hands, a crown and a crystal!
Best, Emmanuel
Again a super interesting post from you!
If you feel comfortable saying a few words about the history of the watch I for one would be very interested! For example, when did your grandfather buy the watch? Was it brand new? Was it first passed on to your father and after that to you? Why did your grandfather go for a JLC, was he dwelling on other alternatives? Anything you might want to share with us is highly appreciated dear Emmanuel. Thanks Pelle
Thank you so much, dear Pelle.
Here's what I can tell.
My grandfather passed away in 1977 at the age of 69 a couple of monts before I turned five years old. So, even if I have a few specific memories of him, I didn't know him very long.
My mother inherited his watch and treasured it. And I inherited it from her when she passed away 12 years ago.
As I explained in the thread about my watch journey, it was my mother who gave me the love of watches, and this watch connects me to my grandfather through her and also to her through him.
He was a refined gentleman, but I don't know why he chose this particular brand and model, nor the exact date he bought it. That said, I believe Jaeger-LeCoultre was quite popular in France in the 1940s and 50s (it is generally said that the JLC Uniplan Etrier model dates from the early 1940s and I think my grandfather bought this watch after the Second World War) and the stirrup-shaped lugs (Etrier is French for stirrup) have a connection with Hermès, which is another luxury brand that was popular.
The only thing I'm certain of is that it was "his" watch, the one he wore every day for many years.
Unfortunately, I don't know anything more...
Best, Emmanuel
Many thanks for sharing these details with us that adds further dimensions to this unique story
To me a wrist watch has more intimacy to it versus many other material things. Perhaps it is because you wear it so close to your skin. May I ask if you have given any thoughts on how to pass the watch on to the next generation when the time is right? Very best regards. Pelle
I completely agree with you on the specific intimacy carried by wrist watches.
I have three children who will be very happy to wear this watch and my other ones too.
I don't know how they will divide them, but for now they are very close and get along very well: so I am quite confident that they will find a fair distribution that is a source of pleasure for each of them.
It is also possible that I will offer one or the other to each of the three on the occasion of a major event in their lives. Time will tell.
Did you inherit a watch? And do you have children to which you will pass your own watches?
Best, Emmanuel
Very interesting thoughts dear Emmanuel
Some time ago I passed on a Spiral Breguet Remontoir, pocket watch, to my son (he is my only child). When passing it on to him I had his name engraved and by having this done it became the seventh generation to be engraved on the watch. The name of the other six ancesters with their date of birth is also engraved. It comes with an original box but no papers. Now we are facing a challange because when my son is going to pass it on to his son (my grandchild) there is really no more space to have one more name & date engraved. We need to solve this because the instructions set out is very clear, name must be engraved - basta!
When I had this watch I always thought about the PP slogan "you never actually own........". It fits in very well with this familly watch.
Having but one child made it easy to pass this watch on. However I am dwelling on if I should start something similar to the Breguet to my grandchildren and if I do how should I go about? For example they should be treated equally and fair. I want to pass on a watch that I have been wearing - I E not go to shop and just buy a new one. Should I have it engraved, if yes there must be space for that. Excuse my long reply. Cheers Pelle
Thanks a lot for sharing your story and thoughts, dear Pelle.
This seven-generation pocket watch is a true and wonderful treasure. Could the names of the next descendants and heirs be engraved on the original box? Or could a special box or stand be made, on which the future names could be engraved?
Concerning your grandchildren it would be wonderful if you could pass one of your watches to each of them, it would be wonderful. Engraving could be done on the watch itself or on a plaque coming with it.
Whatever the solution, this is meaningful transmission.
Best, Emmanuel
My guess is that there are
no more parts readily available, and JLC needs to custom made the parts for the watch.
Absolutely, I'm almost 100% certain that is the case.
And of course it's a good reason why the restoration takes a lot of time: they have to custom make three hands, a crown and a crystal.
I'm also convinced that the restoration workshop is fairly small, with only a few skilled and dedicated watchmakers.
Best, Emmanuel
I'm also convinced that the restoration workshop is fairly small, with only a few skilled and dedicated watchmakers.
Best, Emmanuel
Calibre 438
The repair of the movement would take months to make many worn parts-which as from the photo only the base plate is shown.
This would be done by a different dept from the ‘furniture’.
Have they indicated any movement worn or broken parts that need replacing?
This would be done by a different dept from the ‘furniture’.
Have they indicated any movement worn or broken parts that need replacing?
Here's the complete list of work to be done featured on the initial quote:
Necessary intervention(s):
Complete service
- Complete disassembly of the watch
- Movement: cleaning, replacement of defective components, reassembly, and lubrication
- Watch casing
- Final checks
Case/strap cleaning
Crystal replacement
Hand replacement
Seconds hand replacement
Crown replacement
Optional intervention(s):
Dial restoration
So, I guess “replacement of defective components” proves you right. And of course, they have to make a new crystal, three new hands and a crown...
Best, Emmanuel
have a word with Amanico-nicolas the jlc moderator
see if he can get more details about the movement and time scales as i am sure he has the right jlc contacts .
was the movement working before being sent off for overhaul or was it dead ?
defective components within the movement would also need new jewelling on the bridges and plates.
was the movement working before being sent off for overhaul or was it dead ?
defective components within the movement would also need new jewelling on the bridges and plates.
The movement was functional, but probably not working very healthily.
I'll see what I can do. Thanks for your support!
Best, Emmanuel
Best, Emmanuel