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The JLC/Wittnauer connection...
From the 30's through the 70's, JLC sent watches to the US in parts, to be cased-up by Wittnauer, then badged "LeCoultre," since the "Jaeger" name was being used by another party and couldn't be used by JLC. That changed, of course in the late 70's early 80's. Hence, historical searches will show some duplication of models.
You can also see a version of this in GP and a couple of other brands. Different cases, of course, but similar movements.
Since JLC was one of the brands funding the Beta 21 project, many brands reaped the rewards and shared movements of the project. I'm not sure if this movement was assembled in Mexico to avoid customs, or if it was unrelated, but there is a thread of ancestry from the Beta 21 project.
Nice piece. I particularly like Greg's.
-Dean
A brief profile of an oddity from JLC
Introducing one of the strangest watches ever produced by Jaeger Lecoultre: The Master Quartz LED, also referred to by JLC as the Master Quartz Digital. It features a quartz movement that displays the time using a light emitting diode (LED) display. With ...
Disco or Funky, Rovermark?
Superb post and very interesting reading. What a great journey in the 70ies! With this watch, we're somewhere between " Star Wars " and " Saturday Night Fever ", indeed. Shaped like an UFO, the Red Leds added a lot to the interest of this kind of watches....
An easy question. Disco AND Funky!
I also wanted a LED watch when I was a child. I remember being quite impressed by them at the time. One of the fun parts of being an adult is that sometimes we get to make our childhood wishes a reality. Thanks for the comments.
Wanted one too.
I was crazy about them - it was magic to see the person pressing the button and the time showing. Nevertheless, my first quartz watch was an LCD. Just recently I've found my first watch ever is hand wound (1976 ~ 1977) Very nice post and funky JLC, BTW! M...
But.....
who did not wear one my friend? seikos, casios, timex... etc..... all digital with red leds..... cheers
Cool watch!
I have a certain affection for LED watches, reminds me of my youth! Would love to own one.
Go for it!
They can often be found for very reasonable prices and are a lot of fun for the money.
Great post! A few more pix:
Great article! I've been lucky enough to have owned 2 of the JLC Master Quartz 555 LED watches in NOS condition with all original boxes and papers. One of the watches (the one shown in pictures below) was sold last year to JLC for their Heritage Gallery f...
LOL, Greg. It would be faster and easier for you to tell us what you don't have! :)))
You have mail, by the way... Best, Nicolas
LOL, Your collection probably puts mine to shame
BTW, I responded to your e-mail. Sorry for the delay. Greg
A piece of the puzzle falls into place!
Since the examples I have found didn't come with any box or papers I didn't know that it was a reference 555. Good to know. I think it is great that when you visit the museum you can look at it and say that specific example was once yours.Very cool! Pleas...
Picture of the Back & Serial for Mark
Mark, Regarding your PM about the back & serial number, I thought it might be good to include another picture for you in the public forum. The correct back indeed does have a serial beginning with "A" and 5 digits, as you suspected: I haven't had the oppo...
Thanks for the confirmation.
I was pretty sure that the case back was correct, but comparing it with a known good example confirms it. Congratulations on having eight pieces in the Heritage Gallery. I thought having one in it was cool. Eight is amazing!
Scans of the Manual for Mark
Mark, Here are the scans of the manual for the watch that you requested in PM. I though others in the group might also be interested....
Thanks for posting these Greg.
Unfortunately these reveal that my watch has an incorrect movement (based on the setting instructions)! Luckily one of the Wittnauers I have has the same movement referred to in the instructions so it looks like a swap is in order.
Wow, Greg!
I think many of us here dream of taking one or two watches with us home from the Heritage Gallery… But you actually put one there – super cool! Congrats!!! Best Blomman
Groovy post, man!
This whole thread is really interesting and fun to read. The 555 is actually kind of cool looking, IMHO. Well, it kind of answers the question, "What was JLC doing in teh 70s?" Thanks for posting this. Perfect reading for a gloomy Monday morning. respo
The JLC/Wittnauer connection...
From the 30's through the 70's, JLC sent watches to the US in parts, to be cased-up by Wittnauer, then badged "LeCoultre," since the "Jaeger" name was being used by another party and couldn't be used by JLC. That changed, of course in the late 70's early ...
I was aware of the GP connection.
The information on Wittnauer makes sense. Thanks. The JLC and GP connection is interesting. While JLC was a part of the Beta 21 project I believe that they only used it in one watch, the 1970 Master Quartz. By 1972 they were sourcing their quartz movement...
Thanks for info on the GP sourcing of the Master Quartz
I stumbled upon a mechanical Master Quartz in NOS condition a few years ago (pictures below), so I couldn't resist the purchase. I'm not generally a quartz fan, but the watch is quite attractive and intriguing. I had never realized that G-P supplied the m...
SUPERB COOOOOOL...
... WOW it is really eye-opener... if wearing this retro watch and walking along streets, i am sure it will be attracting a lot of attentions, especially from those young people. never seen this mode before, such look with gold color case and bracelet is ...
Glad you like it Stefan.
It's funny you mentioned how young people would respond. A younger friend of mine who has no real interest in watches always asks me where "his" watch is. He really wants me to sell this one to him. I've told him that the next time I see one available I'l...
Thank you, Rovermark!
For an electric post! I have seen this watch a couple of times but never paid any real attention because of the battery… Very interesting, thank you! Best Blomman
I'm generally not interested by watches that need batteries but...
The Master Quartz LED is one of the exceptions. I really wanted (and didn't get) a LED watch as a child. Since I collect JLC, once I was aware of its' existence it became a must have.
Very interesting post!
A nice little piece of nostalgia! Funny and scary at the same time. JLC made in Mexico... God damn!!! I will certainly continue to enjoy winding my watch every morning. Best, Rob.
