chrgod Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 Last week I bought a genuine vintage le Coultre Master Mariner. A classic watch, suitable for all those dress and tie occations during Christmas. Lots of patina, but nice overall condition. It has a somewhat strange caseback engraving, which I wonder if some of our US-members can interpret... more of that later Replicas are fun, but to set things in perspective it is interesting to see what genuines one can get for the price of a high-end replica. This beauty cost me 350 USD in all. A very competitive price for a vintage le Coultre in fully operational condition with original dial. Caseback engravings and a probably unoriginal crown (unsigned) lowers the price. The Jaeger le Coultre is one of my favorite brands. High end with long history, but not very common. According to what I have found out, le Coultre was the Swiss watchmaker and Jaeger a Frenchman. Jaeger and le Coultre joined forces in the 1930ties, but their watches were sold under different names until sometimes in the 1980ties where the JLC name were introduced all over the world. "le Coultre" were used in the glorious republic of United States of America, "Jaeger" in France and Jaeger- le Coultre elsewhere in the world. Im sure someone here can fill me in. The Master Mariner is a small (34mm) watch from the late 50ties-early 60ties, with a high grade 17 jewles automatic movement. The caseback is a part of the case. The movement comes out from the front, which makes it more waterproof. Obviously it was targeted for marine conditions. "For Men who command". Don't thik they would use that slogan today! According to the seller ( Thebigwatchguy on TZ salescorner) it is a caliber K880 which is a stacked rotorwind movement much like those movements used in highgrade Vacheron watches of the same time period. Actually Vacheron made movements for LeCoultre during this time period. Anyway, the movement are very quiet in operaion and looks very well finished: This is the strange casback engraving which I need some help to understand... It says: PRES. TO FR. JAMES J. BARRY BY OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF E 314 UPON 20 YR. SERVICE 2.1.43 - 63 I suppose FR might be short for "Father" or priest, but what is E 314?? It sounds like some food-conservation stuff? Or is it some US Navy vessel? An organisation with both officers and members.. The Salavation army or a secret governmental organisation...?? It would be very cool to be able to get some information on the history of this baby. A Google search reveiled no useful clues to me.. There are some James J. Barry around on the web, but whitout knowing what "E 314" is, it is hard to find a connection. Any help appreciated! Else, just enjoy the pics! And.. finally a wristshot of the Master Mariner. The perspective makes it look bigger than its 34mm. : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 I'm going to go out on a complete limb and state my guess that James Barry was a Fireman on Engine 314. It's admittedly an educated guess, but it's a guess nonetheless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrgod Posted December 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 I'm going to go out on a complete limb and state my guess that James Barry was a Fireman on Engine 314. It's admittedly an educated guess, but it's a guess nonetheless. A firefighters watch.. That sounds more exciting than some priests watch.. Thanks for the suggestion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrgod Posted December 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 Impressive research. I hope that is the missing link! I just wonder if a fire engine can have "officers and members"? I might be far off now... But isn't it custom in the US that organisations or private persons sometimes "adopt" fire engines and collect money to support the service and help to keep them running..? It is tempting to imagine the hero-firefighter who received the le Coultre after 20 years of faithful service at the local station... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 I just wonder if a fire engine can have "officers and members"? 3-2-4: DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND MEMBERS: In the performance of their duties, all officers and members of the Fire Department shall obey the orders of their superior officers. At the scene of any fire or any other incident to which the Fire Department responds, in the absence of the Fire Chief, the highest ranking and most senior officer or member present shall assume the duties and full authority of the Chief until relieved of such duties by the Fire Chief or a superior officer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrgod Posted December 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 Thanks a lot Pugwash! Seems like the mystery of "E 314" might have been solved. This has indeed added lots of sentimental value to my LC! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eunomians Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 Wow, that's an interesting & lovely watch. I bet that if you call the Yonkers Fire Dept, they could help you get the 'story' of the fellow the watch was given to. That would be amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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