Jaeger-LeCoultre

received a rare bird....

 

hi folks,

have been busy lately, but my vintage watch collection is still in progress quietly. although nowadays it is getting difficult to hunt for something nice and affordable pieces. you know the vintage watches market out there well are getting crazy (perhaps part of the reasons is due internet and also lot of discussion forums talking vintage watches etc), like those vintage Reverso, i don't think it is easily to come by, even there was good pieces available from time to time, but price of them is very high compared with early dates.

looking at other line of vintage Memovox, the prices have been gone up also since I started collecting Memovox watches two years ago. because of this, i have been looking for alternatives from other lines of JLC watches, such as this one i just received today which was produced in 70s. strictly speaking, it cannot be considered as a vintage. having said that, the quality and significance of this watch is not much lower than those earlier watches i mentioned above.

the one i just got is quite uncommon, and according to Zaf's book and limited sources browsing from net, this watch is considered rare too. i remember Nico had a post on those JLC watches housed with chronometer grade movements. of course, among them, most people may most be familiar with watches like The Geophysic and The Geomatic, and even Master Control series. but not many people were talking a lot and paying attention on this uncommon Chronometer powered with Cal. 906.

according to Zaf's book, a total of 7,000 caliber 906s where made from 1973 to 1976. the major reason of making this mechanical caliber watch was to compete with quartz watches in ultra thin cases being made during that period of 70s. however, as expected, the plan of such move was not successful and the production was even terminated after few hundred of these chronometers made.

in any case, i am glad to hunt one of these with several features that i like to mention here:

1) blue dial which matches with my blue collection;

2) watch is come with my first "JL" logo vintage buckle which i do not have any of them so far;

3) rare Caliber 906 which i do not have it either;

4) my first so-called JLC Chronometer watch;

5) central lugs design instead of usual and typical two-sided lugs design; and

6) octagonal-liked case design in thin casing which does not look like those funky designed watches usually produced in 70s.

by the way, some more data/characteristics of this watch that i like to further describe (most of them extracted from Zaf's book) are:

1. blue dial with horizontal strip-like pattern finished, signed with "Jaeger LeCoultre" at below the 12 position, "CHRONOMETER AUTOMATIC" at above 6 position, small print with "- T SWISS MADE T -" at below 6 as well, and JL signed crown; patina hour dots;

2. white color second hand, quick-set day-date functions located at 3 position (read some info from discussion forums, Cal. 906 was come with two variants, one with day only and another with day-date like mine), referring to the date function (if you look at one of my pics carefully, it displays "LUN" instead of English, therefore i believe it is a French version);

3. big "JL" logo and a word of "CHRONOMETER" engraved on the center and edge of stainless steel screw-case back respectively, in addition, small engraved case reference numbers, 24001-42 just below the big logo, according to Zaf's book, only 520 pieces in stainless steel case with this reference were made;

4. 21 jewels automatic-wind hack-setting movement, 28mm in diameter, 28,8000 beat per hour, adjusted to temperature and five positions, Glucydur balance of Cal. 906 equipped with both Kif-Elastor shock protection and fine regulator via a micrometer screw; and

5. stainless steel case in 36mm diameter.

anyway, took some quick pics of the watch including wrist shots to share with you here. although i do not open the caseback and take movement pic, i took a pic of movement appeared in the Zaf's book. hope you all like my new catch too!

stefan

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