Clavi
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Surprisingly I have never embarked on the 'chronos' thema...
I have never really embarked on the JLC Chronographs series as a collecting thema. I don't really know why. Maybe it has to do with the fact that they were non in-house, or maybe because I never really crossed a good one in my early days of collecting that could have sparked the fire for the next ones (I only have one UG-powered one).
But I reckon that these R72-powered have a huge personality, and the case and bezels of both the Shark and the 4 ATM are particularly well constructed and attractive, and no doubts if one of these was crossing my path today it would be a totally different story.
Thank you for the detailed and comprehensive review as usual !
(and yes, this GMT chrono... definitively one to forget for ever....)
A view on the Jaeger-LeCoultre Vintage Diving Chronograph, The Shark.
The first difficulty when we speak about the JLC Vintage Diving Chronograph is to know how to call it. If we refer to the US or European catalogues, we'll see that it doesn't have the same name, indeed. For the US Market, this Chronograph is called " Shar...
Thank you for sharing this unusual Chrono ...
At least for me. Never had one of those in my hands and your pics shows this Chronograph in great detail. Is a shame that JLC does not do a re edition of a diver chrono around this size (40mm). Cheers
That is absolutely true, Nilo.
Maybe JLC will hear you? I would like to see a clean, sober Diving Chrono, indeed. How do we say? Fingers crossed? Best, Nicolas.
A very cool looking chrono IMO.
The busy bezel only adds to the character and the size is perfect for such a watch. You must feel very lucky to find one in such an excellent condition. Cheers fernando
Well, it is an old thing I have hidden for more than one year. ;)
I agree with you, the size is cool, the lugs, which look like a Civilian Type XX, are macho yet elegant, the dial is a classic, and the bezel, in this original configuration, is the cherry on the cake. A must have if you consider a Vintage JLC Diving them...
HIdden from the world, from us, or the missus?
I have hidden watches too, I just can't find them afterwards ... :-( Cazalea
Hidden from everybody...
I've been working on this watch for a review, then I've hidden it, and I wondered if it was not part of my stolen watches for a moment. Then I found it hidden in a friend's safe... Stupid me. Best, Nicolas.
So you are also hiding things, my friend.. Hmmm..
.. good to know, and lucky us, that we got to see this interesting marvel now ! Cool and strong, with quite some pedigree - compelling, indeed ! Thx for lifting the veil, best, hs
Yes, from time to time, it happens that I hide some of them. ;)
If I remember well, I own it from 18 months, now... But I had to work on it, and to unveil some others. This is a very cool companion, indeed. As said, not the most beautiful, but not the less interesting, either. I will have to re do a post on the Vintag...
Once again..another gem from our Nico!
very interesting that there is a world time but no 2nd GMT hand...the world timer bezel is almost too much for this otherwise somber Chrono-Diver... Love the circular finish on the sub-dials... Thank you and a great Monday morning read!
I wouldn't say it is a nice watch, BUT
It is, in my opinion, a very cool one, with a lot of charm, and a great presence on the wrist. I love it! And, as Vintage Diving watches is a thema which is very dear to me... Best, Phil, and thanks for your kind comments. Nicolas.
Love the name
Love the movement too! Perfect, no? You always brings delight to the eyes mon ami! A bientot Stephen
Merci beaucoup. If you start to fall in love with Valjoux Chrono movements...
You're just in danger, as there were many Vintage Chronos using this movement, from the famous Daytona to this JLC... A Pandora's box. Best, Nicolas.
I can see the trap just right ahead!
But luckily my tiny pockets prevents me from diving straight on for the bait! A bientot Stephen
Well, well .. That's what I call ..
.. rubbing it in, the Vintage Chrono theme, - definitely for me, really stimulating ! Have to say, I like a lot the various effects the dial exhibits: different colors, hand's layout, the indices and well, actually I somehow like the WT-like indications o...
Knowing you a bit, you will end with one of those...
Yes, hs, the cases are the same... Interesting, isn't it? Best, my friend. Nicolas.
Tribute or no tribute is that the question?
Nice watch in any event and great write up. Best regards, George
I would see something different, here.
Playing the Vintage card, but in a free style... I hope that the next Tribute won't be a Diving.... As many others, here. Time for G? Best, Nicolas.
I confirm he is merciless.
Is it not delicious though. I am going to be dreaming all day long now. Best regards, George
Hmmm, dreaming... also the luxury of the "Have-Not's"..
.. or how does Puck, the mischievous elf say: "If we shadows have offended, Think but this, and all is mended, That you have but slumber'd here While these visions did appear... " Sounds promising for me, as well .. "G", -- better start saving, everybody,...
What Geo?
Geography is not my favourite subject in school I prefer physics or mathematics. You? Best Tyler
An article full of beauty and awe for an old chronograph
collector, thank you for the fun and inspiration. I find the world time bezel to actually be a classic and a bit of a bridge between the older world time watches and the more modern models. I really consider this to be a classic already and historically i...
Not very useful for a Diving Chrono, but a certain charm, yes.
And to wear it is a cool experience. Thanks for your kind words, Tim. Best, Nicolas
I know it's...
..120m water-proof and has a bezel, but it is not really in the diving range. TO be blunt, even when new, you;d have to be foolish to dive with anything could flood when you knock the pushers....an I don't trust EPSA pushers.. The very very similar Enicar...
I agree with you on the water resistance, Ben.
I wouldn't dive with this one, even if I was in the late Sixities and that I just bought it... As for the case back, I don't see what you mean, my friend. I didn't close it, because I had to take pics of the movement. Best, Nicolas.
Aaah, I thought you were thinking that it was not the good one, or that it was
Overpolished! Pheeewwww! Best, Nicolas;
Ummmm...
Actually, I do ...though not overpolished.... It looks to have been put in a lathe and machined to removed case back gouges. 1) the other EPSA chrono cases with slots instead of the tetradecagonal back are polished without the circular machining marks. 2)...
So let me....
...understand. Machining everything off a caseback is ok? Where does 'modification' start or end? Personally, I don't care. As long as it does not try to pass itself off as original.
It is...
...original. And *original+ on a watch of this age usually means lots of case marks from try to get the back off it. I am sure it has been machined (put in a lathe) to make it look new. That's all. Personally, I don't like it being done, but casebacks are...
Ah, ok, I get your point, now.
Will try to check with another one I know, to compare and will come back to you. Best, Nicolas.
OK but....
...when even the cheapest vintage plated cases tend to have a polished SS caseback, what is the reason behind such a machined finish? The finish is more vulnerable to scratches, wear and corrosion. I've not seen any EPSAs without a polished back. Nevermin...
Finally the post I have been waiting for a long time:-)
This is the impossibly cool chrono from JLC. At least to my eye. A huge presence on the wrist and I'm sure a pure joy to wear. I really like the 4 atm but the shark my friend is my love. I'm not really a chronograph lover but this is definitely one for th...
I like these " Big Chronos " a lot, Tyler.
Presence on the wrist, comfortable, they are made to be worn, used and enjoyed. And in a Vintage JLC Diving collection, the Shark is a must. Not that this is the ideal diving watch you can rely on, but it existed, and is one of the many faces of the Manuf...
Surely one day I'll end up with one.
Man! I start to sound like you. Seriously this is the chrono that take my heart away. More than 2 years now... I'm hopeful though. I got to earn my stripe and get one myself. Thanks for the comment. I'll do my own homework. Best Tyler
You know where to find one. You saw one when you were in Paris. ;)
This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-10-18 06:46:48
Serious!
The one with the worldtime bezel? I thought that's a 4 ATM. Please pm the contacts. I forgot to take a card. Best Tyler
NICE I like it...
And it's vintage, can't resist. I'm a big fan of these valjour manual calibers. Thanks for a very pleasant read and the advice on the Gmt version. Best Ed
Thanks a lot for this presentation
I really like this watch thanks to its 3 rows bezel. I regret not to see this kind of bezel now, they all have two rows. It is a watch with a lot of character. Fx
These are the old looking WT bezels, Fx.
Busy, but a kind of witness of another era... Best, Nicolas.
Surprisingly I have never embarked on the 'chronos' thema...
I have never really embarked on the JLC Chronographs series as a collecting thema. I don't really know why. Maybe it has to do with the fact that they were non in-house, or maybe because I never really crossed a good one in my early days of collecting tha...
I have to say that for me too, Vintage JLC Chronos is not my favourite thema.
But I'm very happy with those I already own. The 4 ATM and the Shark were surprisinlgy big for the time, even if case started to get a bigger size. As fro the " GMT ", you can shout it: N. F. W! Best, Nicolas.
as always, very informative
just love the broad lugs on this one (as on your Breuget Type XX!), as well as the other features that you detailed. i always find your historical comparisons illuminating--they really add to the allure of present models. many thanks again for sharing you...
Reminds me this one...
Universal from 1963 with same movement - val72 - also a big one at Ø 40.9mm...
This UG would be closer to the 4 ATM than to the Shark, indeed.
Superb specimen you have, here! Best. Nicolas.
Thank you for this great review, Nicolas!
Love the documents – not so much the complication. But as we all know how this story will end… Sooner or later – one or two might end up in my watch box..! Q? Which watch is it that you have cropped out of the scan..? Best, my friend Blomman...
I didn't crop it, Blomman. t was sent to me by the Manufacture like this.
I wondered the same thing. For a moment I thought it was the Pola 65, but the date doesn't correpond with this time. As for the Chrono, you will get one, it is unavoidable. If you're after a Polaris II, a MM Deep Sea, and a Dolfin, then you'll have to go ...
Could it be Polaris 68..?
Another mystery… Well, I know this – but the Polaris II or the MM Deep Sea is first priority right now… Best Blomman
Are you sure..?
You only see the rotating part. They are pretty much the same..? Or? Best Blomman...
Not necessary…
The bezel is turned. Look at the MM Deep Sea and the Dolphin. If you crop, they would look the same! Best Blomman
It would be logical, then that it is the Pola 68, as
All 3 Diving watches are side by side... Difficult to say... Best, Nicolas.
The Shark, Barracuda and the Dolphin
Sounds like a nice collection to have. As always Nico, great write up of this uncommon chrono.
And the Master Mariner Deep Sea, the DSAs, the Polarises, the Jaeger...
When I finish this part of my collection, it will be time for me to post a " family picture ". Best, my friend. Nicolas.