Jaeger-LeCoultre

Dear JLC aficionados,

I wonder if you could cast an opinion on this piece to see if it is a genuine item or not.

I do have some doubts, for the following reasons:

1) The seconds sub-dial markers are untidy - some crossing over the sub-dial margin.

This showed poor craftsmanship - unheard from Le Sentier.

2) The crown signature is odd

Please have a look at the images and tell us what you think.

Maybe JLC has some bad moments ?? !!

Or maybe the non-Swiss could not make it right ??

Thanks

It seems to be a genuine US-made Lecoultre, relatively typical of the US production at the time (which was quite significant in volume compared to the European one back then)

These watches were typically made of:
- A swiss LeCoultre movement, exported supposedly 'unadjusted' and 'uncased' from switzerland to avoid huge import taxes on swiss watches, then assembled by the 'VacheronConstantin-LeCoultre' company in a Star- watch-co or Wadsworth - made 14k or 10k gold-filled case.

The movements are of the same quality level than those intended for the regular Jaeger LeCOultre production (in fact, they were the same, just with different writings), but the US cases were usually inferior to the Swiss-made ones, and the overall design of these US models seems not to have really passed the test of time too well.

So yes, what you see is genuine (except for the Wittnauer crown, but it was also an affiliated company so who knows...)
But it is clear it is not what one would expect today from a 'true' Jaeger LeCoultre.

(Not all the US models are to be dismissed though, there are a few exceptions, eg the rectangular TDM so called 'David LeCoultre' or some chronographs and even a chronometer...)

Thank you for your opinion.

However, when was the last time you saw an original dial (JLC or not, but original high-end Swiss) which is as "untidy" as this one ?

I am not referring to the case or movement which, I agree, seems genuine.

Thanks again

...but instead a manual-wind watch, caliber 480/CW.  That was the workhorse of the LeCoultre line in the 1950's and '60's. It's really an excellent movement.

The dial is probably original. That is, it is likely the same piece of metal that came fitted in the watch from Le Sentier.  However, it has been poorly repainted. 

Unfortunately, it was common practice to repaint dials as part of normal service year ago.  Many nice dials were destroyed that way.

Also, the US case maker on this piece was K&E, although I have no idea who either K or E were. 

Hope this helps,

gatorcpa