Jaeger-LeCoultre

What a superb post and great collection.

With another Deep Sea alarm, but the European Version, a Lecoutre Polaris 65, an IWC Ref 812, a Vulcain Nautical Vintage, and an Universal Geneve Polerouter sub.

Then, I will add a few modern Divers, like the Pam 64, a Rolex 5513, a Tudor Marine Nationale, and a Modern JLC Diver.

This is a problematic Thema, indeed, as there are too many important pieces to consider, but here is the interest, as you have to make a severe selection, if not, the risk is to know the real maeaning of an endless thematic collection! LOL

Thanks for your nice words, my friend.

Nicolas

What an amazing post. It really requires a deep breath, Congratulations!

 

Breath is what these watches need! LOL

Thanks for your nice words, Chris.

After the Sea, what about a post re to the Air? LOL

Best.

Nicolas

Nicely written article Nico!

Some remarks:

The hands on your watch do have lume, check the hand's tips carefull.

A 1961 German pricelist at least refers to the DSA.

I don't buy the story the american brench had the idea of creating the DSA, more or less I'm convinced JLC just "brainstormed" about the additional use of the alarm disk. The usage is similar to Parking and Worldtime.

For a "die hard" collector only in-house movement powered JLC's are true JLC's, so the chronograph stuff is out of the limits and actually mass production since the entire watch came from a 3rd party and was used by plenty of other watch companies.

The american model with day/date feature is for sure powered by an AS movement (like most of the "Club" watches) and in my eyes questionable because the case seams to be identical to the Deep Sea Master Mariner and was available as spare part some years ago. (I still have an NOS case left). Same with the funky dial which is still available when you dig deep enough.

Unless I see an unaltered catalog entry or an advertising I don`t believe this to be real.  I just have seen 2 examples so far, one offered on ebay the other you show coming from JLC's marketing department.

Cheers - Ilja

LOL

Thanks a lot for your very valuable comments, Ilja.

As for the DSA, 2 things:

1stn before I forget, if you have a scan of the 1961 German Price list re to the DSA, I would love a lot to see it, and to save it for my personnal collection of pics and docs.

I saw, as posted here, some american ads about the DSA, but no official documents relative to this Piece.

2d, as for the story behind the creation of the DSA, I wasn't there to tell you that of course I heard the American JLC Brench saying that he had theis great idea.

But, at a time where Diving Watches began to know a certain success ( FF Blancpain , Rolex Subs, Omega SM 300, and so on, why not considering that JLC was able to get this idea ?

It sounds logical to me, at least.

Aboth the luminous hands, I saw several DSA with the same hands than mine, and even in Zaf's book, with a pic credited to you ( Eurpoean version ...If one day you sell it, you know who to offer it first...LOL).

Where do you see luminous hands?

In what part of the hands?

You mean at the end?

Luminous material or corrosion?

I was wondering it when viewing mine and all these pics.

As for the JLC Chrono and the so called MM Deep Sea ( american version), can't agree more with what you said.

Don't know if the US MM Deep Sea really existed, but if it is the case, not much excited by it..LOL

Once again, Ilja, thanks a lot for the time you took to make this remarks, and for your kind words.

Best,

Nicolas

This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-01-05 05:42:21

...I'm too predictable.

Will send you a scan, but be warned, I'm somehow a timeless person. To be honest, I have some kg of vintage JLC material that *should* be available to the public but on the other hand I'm freakin lazy - it was easier to go to DC to get Zaf take pictures of my watches than doing it myself. Lol.

The lume on my DSA's hands was removed since it was pretty discoloured and I made some bad experience with re-lume. Yes I'm speaking about the ends where you can see a darker discolouration.

For some time I'm suspicious about what JLC reports about their history, may it be different production figures or putting history in a more comfortable way. I simply don't know if the DSA was a US branch invention or a Le Sentier idea, but from what I learned about JLC, it is unlikely in my mind.

See this, to figure out how history is broken:

mob.watchprosite.com

Quote: The first JLC waterproof alarm watch was actually the Deep Sea, a modele created especially for the US market and launched in 1961!

So two mistakes in one sentence, and the info came from your precursor moderator with Le Sentier as his source.

Yes I know I'm splitting hairs...

Cheers - Ilja

PS: Feel free to make an offer.

Of the JLC History, with a ton of scans and documents.

It would be nice if you could share them with us, or at least, send them to me, as I don't have all of them, and particularly, I'm far from owning all the Catalogues from the fities till the seventies...

Since a few years, JLC is re orgaznizing its Vintage Department, so in 4 years, things have changed.

As for the hands of the DSA, thanks for the information, as I saw the same pheonmenon on several hands of the DSA, but was really wondering why, and if if was the evidence of a luminous material or a hint of corrosion.

So, sincere thanks for your information.

You have a PM, by the way...

Best, Ilja, you lazy buddy! LOL

Nicolas

And if my wife is upset about me buying yet another watch... I will blame it on you.

A truly magnificient post Nicolas. Please accept my hearty congratulations!

Sam

 

To give every husband a good excuse to their wife...

In fact, this is my very first Job...LOL

A thousand thanks for your very nice owrds, Sam.

Let me know how dangerous was your visit to your AD.

Best,

Nicolas

Should arrive any minute now...

Can't wait for your pics and first impressions!

Keep us updated, please...

Best.

Nicolas.

PS: Say hello to your wife from me! LOL

and your love for knowledge sharing is unsurpassed and limitless
I have rarely seen someone alike and as a professor I must say that I admire you

now
The Vulcain Cricket Nautical has one of the strangest and very very appealing dials to me
that I have seen and the Euro version of DSA is gorgeous never had a chance to see one before not even on a pictures

but
you missed one important category in your review and that are our "beloved" diver watches with tourbillon ;0)
which is extremely important feature if you see a shark and want to messmerize it in order to stay alive or
with all your limbs

Once more I bow before you
Damian

Why, but why did I forget them???

LOL

There are so many treasures, here, Damian, to discover or re discover.

TheVulcain Nautical is really very tempting, but the original one, even if the Re Edition is not an ugly watch, by far.

But it seems to be very difficult to find an authentic one...

The European D.S.A is to die for...

Sober, elegant, but rare, too...Sadly.

Tireless, me?

Man, Tavarica is a pretty good medicine! LOL

Best, my friend.

Will bring them all next summer, and we'll play like children!

Nicolas

I am in awe as usual of the depth and detail of your report!

I'm a little embaressed and have a lack of confidence, if my platinum report will be "Report a la Nicolas"!

Cheers

Stephen

No message body

From what I just read on your fantastic post about Platinum!

As for my sleepless nights, no problems, life is too shrt to sleep a long time.LOL

Best.

Nicolas

Thank you Nicolas that was an amazing post on dive watch history and beauty.
I have been wearing dive watches for more than thirty five years mainly because
they are functional and durable. My first JLC was the MC Diver GMT on Ti bracelet.
It was bought not for its functionality or durability, of which it possesses both, but
for its intrinsic beauty and balance. I am glad to see that there are others who feel
the same.
N     

Beauty is as important ( if not more ) than functionnality.

If we want a functionnal watch ,the absolute one would be a Quartz one, don't you think so?

You're not alone, my friend, as you can see it on the answers ...

There are a lot who are suffering, indeed, and I include myself!

Best, and thanks for the nice words, too.

nicolas

And tyo know that you appreciated it...

Are you diving for Diving watches, now?

Best.

Nicolas

Now i´m thinking in a Polaris, anyway today i  will wear a Sub

I can see the pics you will take of it!

Best, my good friend.

Nicolas

Forum posts don't get better than this... fantastic stuff. Thank you so much.

Much appreciated, my friend.

You know the rule:

When the topic is that interesting, the work is less difficult...

Best, Bretta!

Nicolas

hi Nic, as usual, you have posted outstanding review again, it can show you have very indepth understanding of these watch models. enjoyed reading it and learnt something new again.

for these diving watches apart from JLC, i have not come across the universal polerouter-sub this model before, it looks interesting to me too. any more details of that, e.g. what movement it was used?

thanks a lot.

stefan 

I have only an in depth passion for these watches, not an in depth knowledge, as I can tell you that I learn new thing every day...

As for the U.G Polerouter Sub, Steve G made an awesome post about it, with magnificient pics I used for this review.

You may do a search, and you will fall on it.

Thanks a lot for your nice compliments, my friend, and Best.

Nicolas

many thanks Nic for pointing that out to me. it is great info there. can't believe you guys have such great knowledge...

cheers,

stefan

and comprehensive report, Nicolas. And what a collection of divers!

But I am confused about one thing: how do you find the time to practice law?

;>)`

Best regards.

Tony C.

I'm an adept of the rule:" To sleep is waste of time " LOL

Thanks for yout nice words, my friend.

Best.

Nicolas