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This message has been edited by cazalea on 2020-05-30 16:20:10
JLC memovox year...???
Hi there!
I'm new to the world of vintage watches. I inherited a vintage JLC Memovox from my grandfather. The watch is very dear to me, because I remember playing with the alarm while sitting on my grandfathers lap. I'm trying to figure out when the watch was made, just for fun. I'm enjoying reading about the history of Memovox a lot, but I can't really find my watch.
Who can tell me more about my Memovox? Number on the back: 532777
Thanks!!!
This message has been edited by cazalea on 2020-05-30 16:20:10
Ref 3151, made between 1950 and 1956, Cal 489. If you could give me the movement number, I could tell you what is the production year. Welcome here! [nt]
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Haha okay, so I have to go to a watchmaker? I'm thinking about getting it fully restored by JLC, but its gonna be expencive I think? [nt]
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Yes, better to go to a watchmaker to open it. Why restore it? It is very nice as it is. A service would be enough. [nt]
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I whas inspired by this story: https://www.watchuseek.com/site/Memovox_Restored.pdf [nt]
Yes, but you will get luminova hands and dial. Yours is nice enough to not have it restored. [nt]
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DON'T RESTORE
While I would fully support having Jaeger-Lecoultre overhaul the movement, cleaning and lubricating all that they can and replacing nothing but the most necessary mechanical components, I beg you, don't have them polish the case, refinish the dial or replace the hands. These show time in a very special way for you, and that is the point.
When I was in my early 20s, I had my grandfathers Girard-Perregaux and my father's Elgin refinished. I thought I was doing the right thing. Oh how I wish I could undo that decision.
Thanks for your story
You made some very good points, and i'm rethinking about it. Maybe firts bring it to a JLC dealer and get some advise (and the movement number). Maybe a nice strap to start off with? Wat do you all advise for a good strap with this kind of watch?
I second that. 👍
While I'm no expert on vintage watches, I will also pile on with others above where polishing/refinishing is concerned. Though I'd be all for having the movement serviced, adjusted, and lubricated, it's my understanding that polishing the case, replacing the hands, refinishing the dial, etc., will undermine whatever market value the watch may retain as a collectible (as counter-intuitive as that seems). Perhaps more importantly, it would also erase evidence of the watch's history and all of the ways it's been shaped by your grandfather's ownership and use. In a sense, every sign of wear on this watch is a bit of your grandfather's legacy and a reflection of the life he lived while wearing the watch.
So for my understanding..
If you send it to JLC to restore is, they are gonna replace the dial and hand, or just clean it?
They can clean it, but I don't see the interest. It is nice as it is. Restoring it would not be necessary nor even good. [nt]
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