zaf_basha
8
USA market watches
Nov 11, 2014,06:28 AM
Importation of watches into the United States, in the 1960s and even today is complicated. The value of the watch must be broken down by the value of the case, the value of the movement and value of the strap. The movements will get a different duty depending on the number of jewels, whether the watch is automatic or manual and if the movement is Adjusted or Unadjusted. There are other tweaks like country of origin, in the calculation of the duty rate but those are the big ones.
As such, all imported USA bound movements will show: 1) Jewel Count 2) Country of Origin 3) Adjusted/Unadjusted. Given these requirements - still in place today - it's almost IMPOSSIBLE for a LeCoultre watch not to have a movement stamped with these 3 things as the movement would be quasi un-importable into the U.S..
So if you see a supposed USA "LeCoultre" with a movement not showing jewel count, Unadjusted and Swiss, it's 99% fake. The vast majority of these fakes have "LeCoultre" written on the chronograph sweep second bridge on a curve. Below is an example of movement dressed up to look like a LeCoultre movement. These all started flooding the German market about 10-15 years ago and are now making their way into the mainstream. Totally un-importable for the reasons I state above.
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Well Spotted, Zaf
By: Tim_M : November 10th, 2014-18:45
Hi Zaf, Thanks for the heads-up. While I think it runs afoul of the new "no link" policy on the PuristsPro, I'm hoping the mods will make an exception for these given your long and dedicated service to the JLC community. I've always enjoyed your work. Bes...
USA market watches
By: zaf_basha : November 11th, 2014-06:28
Importation of watches into the United States, in the 1960s and even today is complicated. The value of the watch must be broken down by the value of the case, the value of the movement and value of the strap. The movements will get a different duty depen...
Thanks for
By: halkcb : November 13th, 2014-19:34
this very useful information. Have been looking for some of these us imports many thanks
Alas, something V&C collectors have known for years
By: Tick Talk : November 12th, 2014-09:35
Thanks for this reminder Zaf. There have been some notorious fakes and frankens put out by big name auction houses, including those with fake provenance. Really makes you wonder how they justify the 40% skimmed off in seller and buyer premiums :-( All I c...
And a fake E859 Polaris on the bay right now
By: Clavi : November 14th, 2014-10:07
Item 151471469665 currently Has been spotted / sold (or not?) several times over the pas 4 years on the bay. Comes from the same workshop that made a similar looking fake Supercompressor PolerouterSub So here it comes again. Seller seems to be specialised...
Thank you
By: Le Monde Edmond : November 16th, 2014-10:42
For the heads up. The vintage watch market is a dangerous minefield sometimes. E
Hi Nicolas...
By: RG1 : November 17th, 2014-15:35
Thanks for your kind comment:-) By the way, I have sent my watch to the boutique last week... Regards, Ronald