A very nice Vintage Diving Watch: The Master Mariner Dolphin or Voguematic.

Oct 11, 2014,00:13 AM
 


 


You all know at least one or two Vintage JLC Diving watches, such as The Polaris, the Deep Sea, and the Chronograph.
 
But did you know that JLC also released a Vintage Diving watch for Ladies?
 
Here you are.
 
As for some other watches from " La Grande Maison ", we are not really certain of its name.
 
Called Dolphin Deep Sea in the US Catalog, in Europe, another name was dedicated for this watch: Voguematic ( Swiss Cataolgue from 1967 ).
 
One thing is sure, its reference is E 22 059.
 
 
 
 
If we don't often see it, it is maybe because it is a really rare bird, as only 501 were made between 1967 and 1969.
 
Let's see this watch in the detail.
 
1/ The Case.
 
The first feeling when you see this watch in the flesh is that it is very small, and it is!
 
 
 
 
Although ...Once on the wrist:
 
 
   

 
 
Small, yes, but ridiculously small, no.
 
This Diving watch, like the others, can be worn on a 16 mm tropic strap, or on a bracelet, like shown on this picture ( US Catalog from 1969 ) :

 
 

 
The case is 30 mm " big ", and the distance between the lugs is 16 mm.
 
The relative thickness of this Vintage Diving watch for ladies ( around 9 / 10 mm ) makes it look a bit chunky. though.
 
The angular lugs " break " the overall sweetness of this round watch, too:
 
 
 
 
The lugs are very flat and large for a watch of this kind, and make me thing to those of the Shark Chronograph, in smaller, of course:
 
 
 
 
Compared to its modestly sized case, the  " JL " signed non screw in crown looks big :
 
 
 
 
The Ref E 22 059 has a screw in slightly domed case back, which insures the watch a water resistance to 100 meters.

 
 

 
It has to be said that the whole Stainless Steel case is polished, no brushed parts, here.
 
The inside of the case back bears some informations:
 
- LeCoultre
- Swiss.
- Acier Inoxydable.
- The reference number of this model.
- The case number of the watch.
 
 

2/ The movement:
 
The Cal 833 is a shock protected automatic movement, beating at 19 800 vibrations per hour, displaying a center second.
 
Do we need more when it comes to be a toolwatch?
 
It is a very small movement ( 14, 38 mm big, 4, 75 mm high ).
 
In fact, I wasn't used to see this kind of automatic movement in the JLC family, and I wonder if it is not one of those very few outsourced calibers used by " La Grande Maison ".
 

A better look on these 2 following pictures 

   

 

As you can judge by yourself, the level of finish and the decoration is not at the top, and we can say that it is inferior to what we use to see.
 
3/ The dial is the soul of this watch:
 
Under the domed plexy, surrounded by a classic diving bezel, you'll find a sober and very legible dial.
 
The sensual and very warm plexy:
 

Big 15 minutes indexes, and smaller 5 minutes, both sharing the same shape, and both luminous:
 
   

  

The hands are sectored and have an uncommon large dimension, to enhance the legiblity.
 
As on some other Vintage JLC Diving watches ( but not exclusively JLC ), the tritium is applied on a white painted frame.
 
The close ups will reveal the rugged finish, which I like a lot, as it looks like the dial was made from a volcano stone:
 
   

Conclusion:
 
Among the " Armada " of Vintage JLC diving watches for men, this model for Ladies is a bit isolated.
 
But it does have all a Diving watch must have: Legibility and reliability, without blingy details.
 
It is a real toolwatch, a small one, but a real one, definitely.
 
Isn't it worth including it in a Vintage JLC Collection?
 
My answer is a firm and massive ...YES!
 
Best to all.
 
Nicolas
This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-10-11 00:14:55 This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-10-14 08:16:28

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Comments: view entire thread

 

This indeed is a rarely seen Ref.. And with some bullish charme..And as you pointed out..

 
 By: hs111 : October 11th, 2014-06:17
.. all the ingredients to make it a valid member of the (J)LC Diver family. Somehow I always mix it up with another Ref, which has a red lollipop-type seconds hand, and some common DNA ( Master Mariner ?)... - Darn, can't remember any more ! .. 2 Interest... 
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The only Chrono Shark inserts I know are thse ones.

 
 By: amanico : October 12th, 2014-10:39
Credit picture: Jean Luc: And yes, my daughter has put an option on the MM Dollphin! ;) Best, my friend. Nicolas ...  
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WOW !.. Is that complete set yours ?.. Thanks for the informations, indeed..

 
 By: hs111 : October 12th, 2014-10:59
.. exactly as your set shows and you wrote, is shown in the ad, and mentioned there ; - Minutes (60) - Hours (12) - Worldtime : the one we both share.. Thanks for the share , a very nice set !! Best, for your Sunday evening ! hs PS: Am sure , your daughte... 
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Nah, it belongs to the author of the picture.

 
 By: amanico : October 12th, 2014-11:02
Note that I would love to see the two other inserts! ;) Best, Nicolas
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Thank you for this detailed review, Nicolas!

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : October 11th, 2014-08:58
Great reading! :) This watch happens to be on the top of Juniors wish list... But I suspect that his real intentions is that he wants the bigger brother...! ;) More serious, I suspect your right regarding this to be a more generic watch. I have seen sever...  
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Yes, my friend. I suspect you are suspecting right. ;)

 
 By: amanico : October 12th, 2014-10:41
Superb " Father and Son " pictures! All the best, Nicolas.
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Thank you, my friend! :)

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : October 12th, 2014-13:08
Yes, the little guy has really got taste for divers watches now.... This will be troublesome in the future...! ;) Best Blomman
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Naah, that will give you an excellent reason to add many other watches in your collection. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : October 12th, 2014-13:34
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Hej, Blomman.. Any JLC, you're not having in-house ?.. I see,Junior will have many choices

 
 By: hs111 : October 12th, 2014-11:10
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There are a lot I still don't have....

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : October 12th, 2014-13:10
Example, I have not one JLC/LC chronograph! A gap I will have to fill one day... :) Best, my friend Blomman
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Not sure the JLC Club Series is in house, either.... [nt]

 
 By: amanico : October 12th, 2014-14:21
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Another line I do not have from JLC... [nt]

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : October 13th, 2014-11:14
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WHAT??? :))) [nt]

 
 By: amanico : October 13th, 2014-13:58
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Your little cute baby seems to have a great good taste dear Blomman!...

 
 By: Subexplorer : October 13th, 2014-10:36
... it seems that these things are part of our DNA and develop at an early age! Fantastic photographs!! Enjoy your son and your watches my friend!! Very cordially, Abel.
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Thank you, dear Abel!

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : October 14th, 2014-12:15
Yes, it is a wonderful experience to become a father! :) I hope that when he grow up, I have not scared him away from watches.... Best, my friend Blomman
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if it would be possible to a fay ...

 
 By: only5402 : October 11th, 2014-09:00
... to have one wish free, it will be: make the diameter bigger size! Also than in the current collection it could have it's place. Many thanks for giving us such a complexe, laborious presentation, without knowledge about feedback for such a rare exotic.... 
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I would have loved to se a 37 mm like this one!

 
 By: amanico : October 12th, 2014-10:42
But it didn't exist.... A modern iteration? Not sure that JLC wants to revisit a Watch which used an outsourced movement.... Best, Nicolas
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quick but pungent

 
 By: aldossari_faisal : October 22nd, 2014-04:15
i am in love in mad love however your comment on not seeing JLC revisiting it due to the fact that its an out sourced movement? my prayers now are pointed towards a revisit. Thanks for the eye opener . Faisal
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Thanks, Faisal. Yes, there are almost no chances we see it revisited.

 
 By: amanico : October 22nd, 2014-12:39
But like you, I would love to see something in this spirit! The NS Auto was a first approach. But we can go farther! Best, Nicolas.
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Thanks for the great writeup Nicolas! Very charming piece, and the condition

 
 By: watchthatman : October 11th, 2014-09:18
of your example is impressive! Domed plexi really has a way of casting a spell...
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Thanks for the kind words, my friend. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : October 12th, 2014-10:43
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I just have to say...

 
 By: watchme : October 13th, 2014-06:49
I LOVE the interchangeable bezels (if they're secure and you can change them yourself). I wish I could pop a world-time bezel on my Navy Seals! -Dean
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That was a great idea, on the Shark, indeed. Thanks for your feedback. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : October 13th, 2014-07:10
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Fantastic little diver my friend!! Would look great on your daughter´s collection!!...

 
 By: Subexplorer : October 13th, 2014-10:39
... can´t think of a better option for the young lady! So nice watch! Thanks for sharing all this info about a little known JLC! Un abrazo mi amigo! Afectuosamente, Abel.
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She already tested it and she put an option on it. ;) [nt]

 
 By: amanico : October 13th, 2014-13:45
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That´s great! Tell her I support her option! Will look wonderful on her wrist!! :))) [nt]

 
 By: Subexplorer : October 13th, 2014-14:57
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I will tell her she has Tonton Dex's support. ;) [nt]

 
 By: amanico : October 13th, 2014-22:21
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Lol!! Wonderful my friend!! Yes, please tell her!! :))

 
 By: Subexplorer : October 14th, 2014-07:32
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I will. ;) [nt]

 
 By: amanico : October 16th, 2014-00:16
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Ooh!!.....now that is a very good looking diver!,...

 
 By: DivingT : October 14th, 2014-11:36
Ok, it may not be the usual size, but it is truly very good looking!!! Cheers Tony
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Yes, a great looking watch , indeed. Thanks for your feedback, my friend. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : October 14th, 2014-14:24
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