Vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre

[Quarterly]

I'm looking for some advice please as I don't know much about watches. I inherited a vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre from my grandfather, but it didn't work properly so sadly I've never used it. My wife took it to be repaired, but it still didn't work properly, so I've had it in a draw for the last 30 years.

I was at a jewellers the other day buying a gift for Mrs Q and I asked about vintage watches repair and the owner told me that years ago there were lots of watch repairers but now there are a lot less and the spare parts often don't exist, she also said all watches wear out eventually. This got me thinking, perhaps it would be an idea to sell the watch and buy something new that I might actually use and enjoy. What do you think?

Edited by Quarterly on Monday 7th March 08:25

Edited by Quarterly on Monday 7th March 08:25

[Spice_Weasel]

God, no! Give Joe (Variomatic) on here a shout and ask him to assess it. I'm sure it's repairable.
It must have real sentimental value and if you swapped that bracelet for a nice leather strap, you'd have a stunning dress/special occasions watch.

That's what I'd do.

[Private Pile]

That's a lovely looking watch. I'd also recommend Vario, done a great job for me.
PS I'd be interested in the bracelet if you changed to a leather strap.

[Hoofy]

What they said.

[Quarterly]

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll look out for Vario.

[964Cup]

Quarterly said:

the owner told me that (...) the spare parts often don't exist, she also said all watches wear out eventually.

Just to add, this is total rot. A) watches don't wear out, certainly not if properly maintained and B) any required part for a mechanical watch can be made by hand; it's just a matter of sufficient skill and the willingness to pay for it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Daniels_(watc...

tl;dr is that he made every part of his first watch himself, rather than buying an ebauche or springs from a mainstream manufacture. Not everyone can do this, but he wasn't the only one.

[TR4man]

That's a very elegant yet understated watch.

Lucky you!