Jaeger-LeCoultre

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...  

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

Maybe JLC will hear you? I would like to see a clean, sober Diving Chrono, indeed. How do we say? Fingers crossed? Best, Nicolas.

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

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... 

I have hidden watches too, I just can't find them afterwards ... :-( Cazalea

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.

.. 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

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... 

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!

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 movement too! Perfect, no? You always brings delight to the eyes mon ami! A bientot Stephen

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.

But luckily my tiny pockets prevents me from diving straight on for the bait! A bientot Stephen

.. 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... 

Yes, hs, the cases are the same... Interesting, isn't it? Best, my friend. Nicolas.

Nice watch in any event and great write up. Best regards, George

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.

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Is it not delicious though. I am going to be dreaming all day long now. Best regards, George

.. 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,... 

Geography is not my favourite subject in school I prefer physics or mathematics. You? Best Tyler

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... 

And to wear it is a cool experience. Thanks for your kind words, Tim. Best, Nicolas

..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 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.

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Overpolished! Pheeewwww! Best, Nicolas;

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)... 

...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.

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...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... 

Will try to check with another one I know, to compare and will come back to you. Best, Nicolas.

...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... 

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... 

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... 

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

This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-10-18 06:46:48

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

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

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

Busy, but a kind of witness of another era... Best, Nicolas.

Thanks and well done for the great post, Nic!

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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... 

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.

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... 

Universal from 1963 with same movement - val72 - also a big one at Ø 40.9mm...  

Superb specimen you have, here! Best. 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 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 ... 

Another mystery… Well, I know this – but the Polaris II or the MM Deep Sea is first priority right now… Best Blomman

You only see the rotating part. They are pretty much the same..? Or? Best Blomman...  

The bezel is turned. Look at the MM Deep Sea and the Dolphin. If you crop, they would look the same! Best Blomman

All 3 Diving watches are side by side... Difficult to say... Best, Nicolas.

Sounds like a nice collection to have. As always Nico, great write up of this uncommon chrono.

When I finish this part of my collection, it will be time for me to post a " family picture ". Best, my friend. Nicolas.

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