amanico
[JLC Moderator]
341527
Jaeger Lecoultre Geophysic E 168. My own saga finally ended.
It took me 11 years to make it all original! 11 years, since the day of April 2009 I bought it, with a redone dial, without the correct dial, without the sticker and the box, and with an incorrect plexy. A true work in progress...
I bought it without the correct dial because I knew where to find one, which was done in December 2009.
With the correct dial:
Then, the sticker and the hands came in April 2010. Even if the Dauphine hands were correct, I preferred the more famous spade hands, which , for me, are a true part of the Geophysic DNA.
In 2011, I found the correct " red book " box.
In 2015, I found a superb, new old stock crosshairs dial. So, I swapped the more common dial for the crosshairs. I could have lived with my common dial, but I kept it " in the box " in case I found a second Geophysic with a dial and hands in poor shape to make THE pair.
In 2017, a lucky find, a correct vintage buckle.
But I knew that the most problematic side of the project would be to find a correct plexy with these luminous dots each 5 minutes.
It is now done!
You might think that the plexy is not a big deal. The former one was way too thick, ruining a bit, under certain angles, the look of the watch.
The correct plexy is much thinner, and the presence of these luminous dots each 5 minutes on the ring is just a superb cherry on a top cake.
It changes a lot the perception you can have on your watch, aesthetically and intellectually.
You know you have the Real Mccoy.
Now, I could hunt for a correct and original strap, and maybe the original tag.... But I am happy with it as it is, now. Making the watch 100% correct was my goal, I just didn't think it would take me 11 years!
That's the big lesson with vintage watches... You have to be patient, very patient and never lose faith... Some of them represent a true journey, such as this Geophysic.
Best,
Nicolas
More posts:
Jaeger Lecoultre Geophysic E 168. My own saga finally ended.
It took me 11 years to make it all original! 11 years, since the day of April 2009 I bought it, with a redone dial, without the correct dial, without the sticker and the box, and with an incorrect plexy. A true work in progress... I bought it without the ...
Wow... such dedication.
There's a will there's way! I admire your perseverance. Enjoy the beauty, and good luck with finding the correct strap!
Congrats mon ami!
It is very satisfying when you complete a long project! Now enjoy it very much. Best. René
Congratulations!
Like many things in life, the hunt is half the fun! It makes me appreciate the reissue a little bit more!
Sincere congrats my dear friend !.. What a journey..
.. what an achievement !! Thx so much for your kind sharing ! Best, 😊😊
Inspirational journey!
I can only imagine the enjoyment of the hunt for each piece over time!
Amazing. What a journey and what patience
Those luminous dots were worth waiting for. One of the defining characteristics of the Geophysics! Well done, Clqus
What a beautiful story dear Nico
Thanks for sharing it with us. It made me understand a lot about what is being a true vintage watch collector. What a journey! Seeing all these changes bit by bit makes one appreciate much more the end result. I’m very happy that you achieved such a marve...
It looks very good now
indeed that was a long road. But I also have multiple 'project watches' that will certainly take more than eleven years to be completed, if ever...
Quite the journey!
But it looks worth it! Congrats on getting this fantastic watch sorted to your satisfaction.
Congrats, Nico. Can feel the excitement and enjoyment throughout the years of quest!
Interested to know the collection of sticker. Does it come the original case back or just the sticker?
So your serial number has changed ?
Then you don't have consistency anymore between movement serial number range and case serial number right ? Also I believe there is a serial number range correct with the cross-hair dial. I guess this is not too much of a problem since this the JLC collec...
A fantastic story of a superb watch!
And huge congrats on your accomplishment, Nico! 🍻 Cheers
A true watch Odyssee
I like very much this kind of adventure At the end you find the Grail!
Wow Nicolas!! I just discovered today this post. You have made a long journey with your Geophysics!! And you reached your goal! That´s what means to be a true collector: patience and perseverance...
... and focused in a target to complete a project. And ... wow! you really did it!! It took years but it was well rewarded. Big congrats my dear friend. I´m very happy for you. I remember viewing this watch around 2011 and talking about what you wanted to...
Found a couple of shots of that meeting of 2011! Or may be 2014?
I had received my Tribute just a few days before and we compared both watches: Cheers! Abel ...
