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Jaeger-LeCoultre

As always, great analysis!

 

First of all, Nicolas, thank you for your post. It is balanced and perfectly explain why this auction sale is interesting and why it is disappointing.
 
On one hand, there are very nice and rare watches, in particular for clocks and ladies watches.
But not only. As said in the dedicated thread, I am very pleased to see the Lecoultre Chronometer and the Gold JLC Mystery. These 2 are worth being highlighted.
Then, one of the main interests of this sale is the wide coverage of watches and clocks. From my point of view, the catalog gives a very good overview of the rich production of JLC since the early 20th century.
 
I am also a bit disappointed. And this is a question of benchmark. For those that are not familiar with the vintage JLC world, this sale can be a very good starting point. But for those that have followed your posts on the Purists forum, with so many interesting reviews on vintage watches, there can be some disappointment about the selection of mens wristwatches.
The quantity, not always the quality.
The repainted dials are outrageous not only because there are just repainted (repainted dials should not be included in a "Unique Auction"), but because they concerns watches for which specific dial have an impact on the value (black memovox, world time memovox).

I see questions about some of the estimations. But what about the expert of the auction being also a watch dealer? what about the watches that are in the catalog and comes directly from his shop? I know that it is a common practice for Parisian auction sales, but for an international auction? Do the experts mandated by Christies or Antiquorum also include many of their own watches in their catalog?
 
 
You know this kind of feeling after a dinner, accompanied by too much different wines, some very fine, many OK but few corked. I feel the same.

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Jaeger-Lecoultre Unique Auction: Paris, 29th of November 2011. Some thoughts.

 
By: amanico : November 21st, 2011-00:58
For those who still don't know, there is an important auction in Paris, on the 29th of November, which is entirely dedicated to Jaeger-Lecoultre, organized by Artcurial. The catalog is on line, you can have an eye on it, and some of us received the " pape...  

Thanks for the deep analysis

 
By: nilomis : November 21st, 2011-03:35
Nicolas, Very good analysis of the auction. I agree that there are way too much watches, and some in so so state. Cheers, Nilo

Public service

 
By: long71 : November 21st, 2011-03:42
Nicholas, this is a most public-spirited contribution to assist any interested bidders. I have to confess that certainly in respect of estimates, the auctioneers in this case seem to have simply hoped for high prices across the board at entry level, with ... 

Some extra information should have been provided, for sure.

 
By: amanico : November 21st, 2011-23:54
Let's take two example, the Master Mariner Chronometer ( I posted ) and the Mystery in 18 Ct YG Lot 42 ( I didn't post, but a marvel ). These 2 are very rare pieces, which should have been much better documented. How the bidder can get the importance of t... 

Independent moderating

 
By: Ares501 - Mr Green : November 21st, 2011-04:11
as it's best Well done my friend best Damjan P.S. So LOT 52 for you

That is what I sincerely think, Damjan.

 
By: amanico : November 21st, 2011-23:57
What do I have to do? Shut my mooth? BUT there are some true treasures to be found. This is the problem, there are to be found, when they should have been highlighted, in this " Unique " auction; Best, my friend. Nicolas.

Well, what shall I say.. First of all ..

 
By: hs111 : November 21st, 2011-06:43
.. Most and above all: - Thank you so much, my friend - for a very comprehensive and balanced review, bringing it to our attention and sharing those series of pics, many of us won't possibly otherwise get to see ( at least not me, likely). Also, as you so... 

This is the story of the half empty, half full glass, my friend.

 
By: amanico : November 22nd, 2011-00:07
When it comes to an unique auction, the glass has to be full, final point. Less pieces, no two nor three of the same, better condition, that would have filled the bill in a better way. How can we highlight the important from the futile, with 565 lots? How... 

Thank you for your fair and honest commentary..

 
By: ocwatching : November 21st, 2011-13:19
and I have to agree, sometime, less (and better quality) is more... I will be very interested in how the Polaris pan out. That RED Reverso is a beauty.

Lot 339...

 
By: BDLJ : November 21st, 2011-23:02
Has a Jaeger LeCoultre ever been sold with just "Jaeger" on the dial, rather than Jaeger LeCoultre or just LeCoultre? The auction says it has a 2783 in it....an ETA based JLC?? Has it ever been spotted in a catalogue? This message has been edited by BDLJ ... 

And the hour hand...

 
By: BDLJ : November 22nd, 2011-14:17
..which I think I've seen with a pointed rather than a blunt end in other photos. "Jaeger" only? I've seen that on the Jaeger tachos/speedos/etc, not on a watch. I suspect this is a 'Jaeger' rather than a Jaeger LeCoultre.

Fantastic display of JLC's previous golden age

 
By: MMK : November 22nd, 2011-02:00
the auction is probably a display of JLC watches and clocks we may never get to see again. And besides the things Nicolas already mentioned, there are 7 diver's alarms, a Reutter Atmos collection (incl. a P01), the Geophysics and Geomatics, an almost comp... 

On watches, catalog decription, and condition report

 
By: Clavi : November 23rd, 2011-02:29
While the description of watches in the catalog only gives a relatively reduced, 'external' perspective on the watch (like dimensions, type of movement, reference or name, metal), and indeed doesn't tell what we members of this forum can spot in several c... 

More of your opinion

 
By: PoyFR : November 23rd, 2011-03:23
In reading a few in depth reports, it is not only about some dials, it seems that some mechanics (movements) are a composition, do you have some guidance for this? And what do you thing of the evaluations? Would not you have preferred a lesser dictated ra... 

yup, that's correct, and i've asked for them...

 
By: MMK : November 23rd, 2011-10:16
Hi Clavi, it is always a pleasure to read your detailed answers! And you are absolutely right. Most of the watches are fantastic, especiallly in such a compilation. I also like the amount of watches presented, which makes the auction quite buyer-friendly.... 

What a auction!

 
By: blomman Mr Blue : November 23rd, 2011-13:18
I hesitate to post about these watches as it's an ongoing auction... So no specific details... Now when I had the chance to look into the auction catalogue more in detail - big thank you to Purist friend! My thinking is - Why so many watches? Especially t... 

There are true jokes... The Memo E 975, the Cal 915...

 
By: amanico : November 23rd, 2011-13:30
Some refs and movements I didn't know till now... But we'll see what kind of welcome the bidders will resserve to this auction. Best, Nicolas.

Yes...

 
By: blomman Mr Blue : November 23rd, 2011-13:42
Back in 2003 the same auctionhouse had a JLC 170th jubile auction with 382 lots. Same spread of different items but much higher visual standard on the watches (don't know about the movements). Don't know how the outcome was - but estimate of a DSA US was.... 

Repainted E 855... Which means a lot. :(

 
By: amanico : November 23rd, 2011-13:48
The 2003 catalog was much better built... Not everything was perfect, but there was more work behind it... Best, Nicolas. This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-11-23 13:49:57

As always, great analysis!

 
By: Marv : November 23rd, 2011-15:08
First of all, Nicolas, thank you for your post. It is balanced and perfectly explain why this auction sale is interesting and why it is disappointing. On one hand, there are very nice and rare watches, in particular for clocks and ladies watches. But not ... 

Bitter taste, indeed.

 
By: amanico : November 23rd, 2011-21:39
To me, this is an aucrtion, witrh some very nice pieces, and, as usual, some crap. Not an unique auction,, whose criterias are necessarily, naturally, more restricted. They promised a dinner with Penelope Cruz, I ended with Josiane Balasko. Best, and than... 

A truely fantastic exhibition nonetheless!

 
By: Clavi : November 24th, 2011-01:23
I must say that, although I share the general disapointment caused by the presence of some (a few) less-than-satisfactory pieces in the lot, and a probably too vast / not enough selective inventory, I must say that I have been absolutely overwhelmed by th... 

well some thoughts about this action

 
By: georgeszaslavsky : November 27th, 2011-10:56
hi amanico some of the pieces are in very poor condition and the starting prices are absolutely insane. Buying at auction can be a double edged, either what you buy is in excellenet or it is in poor condition and you will have a bucnhload of money to put ...