Wiz 0 Posted November 8, 2011 Hi guys! Last Sunday I had the occasion - or more the chance - to be invited by a friend of my parents, who is a retired executive from the watch industry, and who agreed to give me a tour through his impressive ancient timepieces collection, and allowed me to take a few pics so I could share with you guys. This is the part two: Watches and Watch Movements. The owner used to be an executive for Helvétia, a now bankrupt watch company, so he had some naked movements that were used for shows. Now this is definitely something you won't see every day: It's a Jaeger Lecoultre Calibre 426, on of the smallest movement ever built. It's not as small as the 101, but still, the diameter is only 12.4mm! This is pretty much the size of the thumb of a nail (as long as your hands are not too big ) The watchmakers that are able to assemble such movements are kind of rare. Like the 101, all the parts are made by hand to fit one specific movement. The building is so precise that the parts are not interchangeable from one movement to another. Now here is another pretty amazing movement, it's an Audemars Piguet Calibre 2120, the ancestor of the 2121 found in the Royal Oak Jumbo. It once was the slimest automatic movement in the world. Jaeger, Made in France. Another movement you won't see everyday. This is the exact same movement that was used in the very first Jaeger Lecoultre Reverso. They were not in house, Jaeger ordered them from the Tavann manufacture, that was also working for Cyma. Nicely decorated Record movement: L'Epine watch in a cane. Few more watches. Does that bracelet reminds you of anything...? The owner of the collection has been an executive for Zuccolo Rochet, a company that builds various stuffs for the watch industry, including all of Breiling's straps and bracelets. At some point, they decided to issue the same bracelet as the one of the Navitimer, minus the patented end links and with their own bucckle. When Breitling realized it, they were not quite happy. They threatened to sue them, so they stopped selling the bracelet, but unfortuntely they also lost Breitling as a client in the process. More watches. Airain Chronograph: Eloga Chronograph, powered by a Venus 170. Various watches. Seiko Kinetic with 1/10s Chronograph. More watches. Zenith. Jaeger. Jaeger Lecoultre Reserve de Marche. Omega De Ville. Watch for blind people (no kidding). Lip 2000. Universal Genève. Lady's Breitling. Veeery small watch. Record lady's watch, also very small. Hope you enjoyed, thanks for watching. PS: Part 1 >>> http://www.replica-watches-guide.com/forum...showtopic=21521 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Member X 91 Posted November 8, 2011 Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nisv 0 Posted November 8, 2011 Allright, thanks for sharing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baldrick 1 Posted November 8, 2011 Beautiful collection, the Valrex is a real beauty, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Del 4,528 Posted November 8, 2011 Very interesting post with great photos - thanks for posting! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seclark007 11 Posted November 8, 2011 Awesome! Full of pieces that you'll not see every day! Thanks for sharing with us. S Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luthier 1 Posted November 8, 2011 What did you say, his address is? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WebWind 1 Posted November 8, 2011 Beautiful pieces and great pics. Thanx for sharing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
admiralsas 0 Posted November 8, 2011 WANT WANT WANT! :facepalm: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
myaz 3 Posted November 8, 2011 Completly fascinating. Thanks for going through the trouble of posting all that Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trailboss99 997 Posted November 9, 2011 Wow, impressive! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeLaForce 2 Posted November 9, 2011 Thanks for the pics and commentary, cool stuff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
machiavegli 6 Posted May 21, 2012 What did you say, his address is? Ditto... That AP would fit nicely in my pocket if I came to visit -Mach Share this post Link to post Share on other sites