Vintage Jaeger Chronograph: Le Petit Monsieur

.. Hello, friends: This is about a tic-tac, which is not fancy, not famous, but
very nice, IMHO and special to me.

It's also a timepiece, which did not want to get lost or parted from its owner,
- a somewhat peculiar little story..

Some of you might remember a nice featured post by Nicolas ,
where he compared 2 of these Vintage Chrono types, very similiar but not identical
- Actually one of himself and the other one of me..

This piece in my realm is a Jaeger Chronograph ( for me " Le Petit Monsieur") -
Why that name ? - well , it's not a big piece, not a modern one, but a very
classical, rather small Chrono, which, however, due to case & bezel wears a bit
bigger on the wrist.
And secondly I had got it in Paris, my favourite City of Lights !

It also still reminds me on one of the most hilarious 5 days in connection
with friends and watches, spent in Paris, some 4 years ago :

- We had met, a GTG of some friends, and also had the big pleasure to meet Nicolas
who always is a certain risk for your mind, heart, and your wallet,
as many of you have learned (with or without bites in your necks ?)....

To make the long story shorter, also as I have posted a longer version, back in 2011, this one
is special: Meanwhile had a small service , was fitted with a new, neat soft brown
Cordovan strap. Strap and watch are still highly appreciated by me.

On one hand, because it was my first Chrono from JLC, actually my first Chrono overall.
Secondly, as I had found it, during these 5 days, in the very nice City of Paris,
my favourite European Capital, together with my hometown.

And thirdly, because I almost had lost him again, shortly after having acquired & received him.
During these days of the trip, for me initially & primarily as professional travel ;
but there was a very nice side agenda. One, to also pick-up the second of my
TT DSAs, actually the Version Américane, secondly to look at and exchange
some watch- stories.

We had several great GTGs, lunches & dinners, of a medium sized group of friends,
whom Nico had coordinated.
The Dark Count had called - the fellow PuristS had come... With the Big Forces..

Now, finally coming to the cherry of the story: well, I was happy with my new Chrono,
loved the appeal, the whole feel on the wrist, and also the character & joy of the new
arrival.
- On one of those evenings, actually on the last evening, before my next day's mid-time
scheduled departure, we had been sitting together, after a great multi-course
dinner, and were there, on a still mellow evening, talking watches, cars,
good wines & enjoying comraderie & the nice moments..

- Inevitably, we also were to take some final rounds of whiskey, armagnac,
calvados, and an absolutely fine Framboise. - And as expected, quite a bit of
those were "annihilated".

- I had reached my hotel, in what I thought, was a
pretty good condition, had most of my stuff already packed,
and just would have to bundle and store my number of watches,
in the hand luggage for next morning.

On the next morning, when looking for my watches for one last check, also
doing a head count, all was here - my new TT DSA -US, another piece , I had acquired,
but not the new Vintage Chrono !
- I looked franticly everywhere, luggage, desk, etc - no Chronograph ! - What a loss !

Problem also, I could not quite remember, who of the friends & PuristS had worn it on,
when in the restaurant, where did I put it ?
- Nothing, and sort of black-out, as well. - Dinner & alcohol had taken their toll !

Soon I was about to leave, taxi waiting already; all I could do, was to call Nico,
and plea to him, to ask in the restaurant, where we all had been.
We texted back & forth, Nico also being unhappy for me, as he had found and
aided for the Chrono in the first place - nothing yet..

Thus, in the mood of defeat, the flight home went over, and I came home,
with very mixed feelings : one georgeous new JLC, a second piece,
which was a Blancpain FF, but the little, lovely Jaeger Chrono.. Lost !

Two days later, I needed to fly to a conference for a talk, and was again
packing my trolley etc. - Suddenly, I sense something in the body of the Tumi:
the little pouch, I had given the Chrono into, had apparently been creeping between the
shell and the lining of the baggage piece !!

The watch was without harm, well survived the airport handling,
and was looking great, with his nice patina & shine..

Immediately maiIed to Nico, who was happy as well - his simple explanation:
had likely been some obvious " overdose " of good Framboise..

Ever since then, I have become very cautious with hard drinks, and Nico appears
to have discouraged me from Framboise ...
My solution to that next time: maybe just a sip from Mirabelles, Calvados or such...

Meanwhile, I've taken the opportunity, for making some fresh pictures,
including some Macro shots & a Collage.

Sorry, for rambling along that much, just thought you might like the story ;
always reminding me on " Paradise lost" & " Paradise regained",( by John Milton).

- Nice indeed, when something doesn't like to leave us,
And sometimes our tic-tacs never leave...

Regards & all the Best,
hs