Jaeger-LeCoultre

amanico
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A view on the Mark VII, aka Weems

I / The Context:

Since the end of the 19th Century and the very early years of the XXth Century, Jaeger Lecoultre was the supplier of the Army, with some Torpedo Boat Chronometers ( For the French and the US Army, for example ).

But, if we have to talk about the very first wrist watch conceived for Pilots, so we have to consider the Mark VII so called Weems, conceived for the US Army, but also for the British Army, since 1940 till 1943, then replaced by the Mark VII without any bezel.

The name " Weems " comes from its inventor, the American Military Pilot Philip Van Horn Weems, who filed his system in July 23, 1935.

The Mark VII Weems:



The Mark V II " No Weems " ( Credit Pic: Zaf Basha )



This is a quitre rare watch, if we consider that around 5000 were produced, and only 1000 of them were " Weems ".

II / The watch:

- The Crowns:

It's impossible to not start with what makes the specificity of the Mark V II Weems: the 2 crowns, and more precisely the one located at " 4 " .



This crown serves to lock or unlock the graduate bezel, with the main purpose to synchronize the time without having to set the hands of the watch.

Once you put the bezel at the right time, you lock it.

The crown is big enough to be manipulated even with Pilot gloves.

It is a bit bigger than the classic crown at " 3 " which serves to sert the hour and to wind the watch.

- The Bezel:

The 2nd particularity on this watch is the bezel, with its " 60 " painted in red, which is another hint of the importance of the synchronization for the Pilots, while the other engraved indexes are black.



- The Case:

The proportions of the Mark VII Weems are enhancing its tool watch apsect:

A small case ( 33 mm ), and quite thick, with rough lugs, as you can see on this following pics:





A strong look and character, indeed:



The Plexy and the dial :

While the plexy is slightly domed on the American and English models, the dials bear some specificities.

The American model comes with a " Lecoultre " signed dial, while the English doesn't.





While the British model comes without any signature, but, except this detail, it shares the same creamy dial, which contrats with the red " 12 ".



- Case Back and Movement :

The Case Back is another particularity which allosw some distinction between the American and the British Weems.

The American is engraved " Property US Army Watch Navigator Hack Type A 11 " followed by the Serial number, and the number of the watch.

The very last ones didn't bare these engravings, like on mine, here, on the pic:



The British too are engraved, but quite in the same way as the later Mark 11, + A crown, like this one:



At the contrary of the later Mark 11, there is no dust cover in soft iron, to protect the Caliber 450 housed in the Mark VII.

On the american model, it is signed Lecoultre, while on the British, it bares the Jaeger Lecoultre Signature.

But this is exactly the same caliber, a 17 jewel manual wind, quite nicely finished:





III / Thoughts:

The Weems offers the appeal of a Military watch: A watch with an obvious story behind, enhanced by the fact that ( and it's really part of the magic, with this military time keeper ) it is...66 years old!

The dial had a Life, with its patina, which are also and mostly wounds of war, of Life.

A bit like the strap which comes with, looking like it directly comes from the cockpit of a Mustang or a Spitfire...



Then, it has an unbelievable look.

I was wondering if I would be able to live with such a small watch on the wrist, and yes, I can.

Because of its character, its strength.

Character and strenght, more than Elegance, IMO, but not less interesting.

Here are some pics I took, of the Mark V II side by side with the Mark XI:

2 different characters, looks:



Now, you can compare the shape of the case and of the lugs ( a bit thinner and longer, on the Mark XI ), which gives more elegance to this last one, while the Mark V II is a bit more massive.





Wearing it is a great pleasure, once you get used to its small size.

What is lost in size is gained in thickness, to ensure a nice presence on the wrist.

So you can wear it with a suit, to feel a bit like James Bond...





Or, if you want to be a Pilot ...With the mandatory leather flying jacket...



Anyway, a really interesting watch, as the first Pilot Watch from Jaeger Lecoultre, lovely with its " bad boy " character, and pretty rare to find, too.

Another great repere in the JLC History.

Hope you'll enjoy,

Best.

Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-05-25 12:50:06 This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2009-05-29 08:03:39

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