Jaeger-LeCoultre

This watch belongs to the category of the timekeepers with an History. Released in 1945 and produced till 1950, some of the 159 were delivered to the SHOM, which stands for " Service Hydrographique et Océanographique de la Marine ", a Service which belong...  

A simple watch at first glance but full of history and designed to be as efficient as possible. Its originality can be found in its side view. Thanks a lot for this review of a totally unknown watch to me. Fr.Xavier

Actually this happens to be my first entry: recently got more and more enthused by this Website and your all Most informative and delightful posts. - Nicolas,needless to say, how valuable your contributions are - simply you achieved it again, thank you.. ... 

If this kind of post motivated you to enter our virtual world, that is indeed the nicest compliment you could do! Welcome here. Looking ofrward to hear more from you, Best. Nicolas. PS: Feel free to post a topic on your JLC watches, they are very interest... 

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"Even if it cannot be considered as a Military watch, as it wasn't obviously used for operations, it is, nonetheless a watch which has its importance, as well as a Pilot Watch, or a Géophysic, and without doubt, belongs to this category of Watches with Hi... 

It is of course not necessary to be a military watch to have an interesting History. It is almost one year that I hide this one, that I study and I appreciate it, fully. One day, I will take a picture of the 3 important watches: The Mark 11, the Geophysic... 

....is much more my style than purely military diving. Now we just need to work out what watches the SOGETRAM guys wore...

Nicolas. Thanks for this review. Such a well proportioned and consistent 'tool' piece. Interesting that the caseback is engraved LeCoultre while the dial and movements are JLC. Perhaps it was originally headed for the US market? The 34mm doesnt looks smal... 

I saw many other examples on Jaeger Lecoultre watches, such as the JLC Master Mariner Dolphin, the JLC Powermatic, the JLC MM Deep Sea, the Military WWW, and so on. Happy to know that you appreciated the post ... And the watch! Best, Nicolas

As they say, you learn something every day. Thanks.

and well worth the wait. interesting to hear that "several thousand" of the 159 were made, most for normal civilian use. i believe (yes?, no?) that the photo I have below is just such a specimen? note that here the numbers are blue. [the photos are not mi...  

Many thanks for an excellent post. kind regards Bretta

Beautiful watches and some great insight into an important model. I've never owned one of these, but you've left me desiring one! Best, Greg

It is a great compliment to read that this post made you desire getting one of these! Thanks a lot, and Best! Nicolas.

Yes, the picture you posted is featuring a 159, a " civilian " one. Too small? I wouldn't say so, my friend. Once on the wrist, you can easily live with it! As for the indexes, they are not blue, I'd say more grey than blue. That is the effect of the radi... 

Hi Nicolas, I really like this watch and as I generally dislike military watches (would I do an exception for a mk11?) this one is particularly savourable. Thanks for sharing. Cheers Dje

You should consider it! As well as this very interesting SHOM, too. In my opinion, they belong to the category of important watches, from our beloved Manufacture and its History. Best, my friend. Nicolas

It is the same as with your Senator Navigator LE Rimowa: the simplicity and clarity of case and dial make these superb watches! As much as I value a complicated watch (PC, minute repeater, tourbillon) it is this type of "bread and butter" watch that I alw... 

Big or small, complicated or simple, I have no favourite here. The most important is that the watch has some charm. And this SHOM is not an exception to the rule. I don't know if you remember this book from Albert Camus: " Noces à Tipasa ", when the ... 

...in my collection, alas not a JLC, however it never gets any wrist time. I was convinced that it was too small. After reading this post I took it out of the safe and it is presently residing on my wrist. Thank you Nicolas because of your post I have a "... 

They are so charmful! Best and thanks a lot for your very nice words, Neil. Nicolas.

Once again you did not dissapoint with a comprehensive and enjoyable review, with beautiful pix too . Thanks for bringing a classic JLC back into the light. You da man my friend ;-) Best Drew

It is always exciting to introduce such a " Sea Snake" ! Thanks for your kind comments, my friend. Best, Nicolas

Thanks for the great review, Nicolas. I tried to buy the civilian version of this watch...twice. It eluded me both times. I think it is not meant to be for me -- at least for the time being. Regardless, I love the look of this watch and the honestly prett... 

Not specially finished, the Cal 478 offers a superb accuracy and is reliable. The dial is legible, and has a certain appeal. The case back says it all, as I wrote. All in all, a discrete tool watch, which doesn't play the card of the consensus, but of His... 

many thanks, Nico for the educational and informative post, you always enrich our life and widen our insight as a vintage watch collector. i have recently and luckily had a chance to got this Caliber 479 from Rafal. After seeing your post, i would love mi... 

The 479 was exclusively made for the WWW, while the SHOM housed the 478. Thanks for your nice words, my friend. Best, Nicolas

sorry Nico... was typing too fast... the Caliber number is P478. stefan.

sorry for not writing it clearly. in fact i got the entire watch. here is the pic to share with you. have a great weekend, my friend. stefan...  

And in really good condition! Any pics of the case back? I'm curious to see a detail... Best, my friend. Nicolas

i do not take any pics of the case back. here are the pics supplied by Rafal last time. i also attach a pic of the movement. yes, indeed the condition is superb, all hands have superb patina look. it was very kind of Rafal. i feel so lucky to have this on...  

Thanks a lot for these additional pictures, my friend. I think this post is still in progress, though. Will feed it with more pics of other JLC SHOM watches... Yes, this community is great: Do you need something, someone will find it for you! Best, Nicola... 

these two things are on top of my head: 1) pin buckle in Ti for AMVOX1, 2) a case for Caliber 469. anyone help find it for me...!!! by the way, you are absolutely right: this community is superb great. stefan

love that dome..yummy! Thanks for the post!

Not feeling so good the last few days, however this is a spirit lifter. Best, my friend, -- Richard.

Wish all will go better for you, and the sooner the better! Best, and thanks a lot for your words, Richard. Nicolas

to bring back such a fine piece??? Hoping! -- Richard.

I think you will be surprised, in 3 months. As for this piece, yes, I would like a lot to see something " au gout du jour " . A new piece for the SHOM? I'm defintely IN! Best, Nicolas

or not is great in my book, and as you demonstrate, even for this fairly thick watch 34mm is big enough. Although the movement is not JLC's upper tier, the quality of this mid-level effort certainly demonstrates the extraordinary high standards of the man...  

Longines did the same watch for the Marine Nationale ( MN: French Military Marine ). The movement if these Longines cannot be compared, of course, wit the P 478, in terms of finish and decoration, but it does the job in a perfect way. Yes, the 2 dials are... 

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Great review Nicolas, I beautifull couple of watches! Good catch!

You and the watch both deserve thumbs up! Regards Ling

Very interesting. There are many here who would purchase a hommage/tribute version of this watch. Could this be possible? For IGOTT maybe? Thanks. Regards, Richard.

A tool watch for Purists... Love that! Thanks for your nice words, as always. Best, Nicolas

I keep learning everyday....thanks to you ! Cheers Jeff

Did you see Patrice's one in the flesh? Best, Nicolas

Thank you, I really enjoyed that, very interesting reading. The watch is really nice. I love the tool character and the simple "honisty" it has. Best from Denmark Christian

That nicely sums this wathcn Christian! Best, my friend. Nicolas

My little contribution ... Best Patrice...  

But we won't wait too much, as I know he comes back home tonight... That is great to know these treasures in good company. Thanks, my friend. Best, Nicolas.

SHOM no. 11 joining this wonderful thread. Thank you, Nicolas for a great report of a stunning watch! Third brother checking in – one week with the SHOM and I am totally in love! Love the history, the look, the movement, the patina… everything of this stu...  

Here you are, finally! I was on to close the door, thinking that the party ended, and bang, bing, badaboom, here are the Blomman's shots! Happy to see you back here, and even happier to have met you here, my friend. Take care of this Baby, my friend. Very... 

I will take care of her, my friend! Indeed great, we must meet soon again! Best, my friend Blomman