Horological Meandering

. ...I have discussed this issue before on the JLC forum, but its a general theme too. The JLC in the picture was bought by my father in the early1960s. It was missing a second hand when he bought it. The watch became mine in 1979. Last year, i let my 85y...  

So happy for you that you have this piece of your family histore back in such marvelous condition - and even with a seconds hand :) I guess you are lucky that this happened to a JLC watch. I don't think that all brands - even of similar standing as JLC ba... 

....that i had taken a photograph of what it looked like beforehand. However, to have done so would have been to tempt fate. I had no idea IF JLC would be able to make it right...so taking a "before" shot was being a little presumptuous maybe... I am just... 

Just saw that you also posted it on this weeks Lucky Charm WS :D

.....i can't help but feel lucky when i wear this one

First, I am delighted that you got your watch back restored to a beautiful state. What a relief. Are you now keeping it away from your mother or have you returned it to her with strict wearing instructions? ;-) Second, it is really great to know that JLC ... 

she no longer uses the JLC....she is probably the only 85yr old grandmother that wears a Milgauss GV!!!

That's way cool!

and as you say pedigree does make a difference. To play devil's advocate, how does that make you feel about Rolex - who I believe won't service or release any information about their vintage watches?

.....Rolex produce far less complicated watches so getting them serviced is not such an issue. However, how do i feel about the way that they won't pay much lip service to the vintage part of their brand..... Very sad.

That the sealed lips of Rolex (not their unwillingness to restore) adds to the mythical status of their vintage pieces?

....i am not so sure. I think in many cases the original knowledge just isn't available.... lost...gone. So as a result, finding out detailed specifics about a watch's history becomes more detective work and consensus of expert opinion. I suspect Rolex on... 

... and thank you for showing us that at least JLC is willing and capable of doing it. Very, very nice story, indeed! Ken PS: now I understand why you said in WS forum "it is now" :-)

On the one hand, your father demonstrated great taste in watches when he bought this beautiful watch. On the other hand, your grandmother made an unfortunate, but very understandable, mistake regarding the care and handling of a watch. You, or course, see... 

my father's watch….and i lent it to my mother….not grandmother. Interesting to see your history too…. i think any history of a watch can be fascinating but when you have it with your own family, then a rich experience.

. . . was a watchmaker. His son, my Grandfather, must've parted with the equivalent of months of wages to acquire a Zenith pocket watch to commemorate the birth of his first son. Needless to say, I'm completely absorbed. Dad, on the other hand, couldn't g... 

We know genetics make us more or less susceptible to particular viruses. There are theories that significant illnesses, such as schizophrenia, may arise when a person with a certain genotype is infected with a virus at a specific stage of development. Thi...