My new (to me) JLC... - probably one of the cheapest working JLC you can get

Thirdfox

And powered by witchcraft (temperature changes in the air) - beating at a very leisurely 120bph (instead of our 28800 watches) - the JLC Atmos clock.




Considering this example comes from 1969 it's in fantastic shape:



Brass plated with 24k gold lasts quite well as you can see.





You can see some of the inner workings here (it's a chain driven clock technically - a variation of 1 degrees in temperature can provide hours of "power" for the clock)



It comes with its own bubble level - with such a low oscillation rate it really is key that it is placed on a flat surface with minimal vibrations.



The serial number on top identifies it as a '69 model:


I took a gamble with an ebay listing - it is much safer to buy them from proper clock shops where they have been serviced and the seller knows what they are dealing with. The seller I bought from on ebay seemed to specialise in clocks and shipped it from the US perfectly protected... once I spent about 15 minutes removing all the packaging - released the pendulum brake and breathed a sigh of relief as it started moving on its own.

JLC says once it is moved from one location to another to let the clock run for a month to settle down before starting to regulate it.

This will be the last major watch/clock purchase for this a long time (famous last words) - but this was a semi-grail clock for me. I got it to celebrate a change in job - and so far it is keeping great time.

The one thing that really distinguishes this clock from others is the eery quietness of it - my other mantel clocks will be ticking along merrily but the Atmos just leisurely moves in absolute silence - mesmerising to look at with the openworked design too.

Oh and when I say it's a "cheap" JLC - it's around 600 euro so a bargain for a JLC, maybe less so for a clock

Kept right I would hope that it could run for another 20-40 years before needing a service

Fitz II

Seems in excellent condition, was it reconditioned? Very cool.

Thirdfox

Fitz II wrote: »

Seems in excellent condition, was it reconditioned? Very cool.

Looking at the bottom it has definitely been serviced with a servicer's sticker (in Chicago apparently) - considering these clocks really can go 20-40 years between services I would hope I have a few more years of trouble-free enjoyment before needing to send it out for a service.

Modern Atmos clocks are still being sold by JLC - retail is around 7k euro:
https://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/eu/en/watches/atmos.html

There's an advantage to the high initial cost too - it means that many of them went to nicer estates (in the UK) or to wealthier owners who may have given them more T&C over the decades - seems like in the US they were often given as retirement gifts too (no more gold watch tradition for retirements anymore sadly!)

It means that even a 60s, 40s or even earlier clocks may be in relatively good repair. Gold plating helps too I imagine.

I had bid on 2 UK estate lots at auction houses before biting the bullet and risking an ebay purchase from the US (of course the seller was somewhat vetted too). Very happy with how my risk paid off.

For anyone who wants something similar at a fraction of the cost there are also "anniversary clocks" - needs winding once a year. But there is something undeniably "cool" with a clock powered by air/nothing visible externally I think.

Lots of Atmos clocks out there - but if buying from private individuals they might not know about pendulum brakes and if the wire breaks that's a relatively expensive fix (service cost is around 500 euro...but considering that's every 20 years that's not half bad at all).

Wibbs

That's a bloody beauty TF. And IMHO one of the single best bargains in horology still out there. Plus if you buy vintage and hang onto it for a few years and then get tired of it you'll see your money back. Atmos clocks have been remarkably stable in values over the decades.

redlead

I had guessed it was an Atmos you got when you dropped a couple of hints but you've got a particularly beautiful one imo. Even for the bargain prices they go for, I think you did particularly well with that price. I was going to say well wear but .....

Between this and all the Sinn clock purchases on here of late, I need to get my clock game on! Didn't Unkel get a "Rolex" clock recently too actually !

Wibbs

I would say that our TF got that at a particularly good price. Fair play. Unless prices have dropped of late? Any time I looked at them down the years 1500-2000 was more the kinda price rate.

Thirdfox

Wibbs wrote: »

I would say that our TF got that at a particularly good price. Fair play. Unless prices have dropped of late? Any time I looked at them down the years 1500-2000 was more the kinda price rate.

I don't think they have necessarily dropped - but they were always cheaper in the US where they were more popular.

It was even a difference looking at ebay.ie and ebay.com - I found my clock from the .com website and needed to check if the seller would consider shipping abroad (many don't or use eBay's global shipping programme which prepays the VAT...)

The 600ish didn't include the VAT (which may or may n9t have been charged…). In the US apparently people can pick them up regularly for $500 from estate sales and around $700ish from stores.

The auction pieces were in worse condition and I topped out at £470 (pre-20% premium) so at 630 euro or thereabouts.

Here's a US atmos on ebay.com for less than $600 plus shipping:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-LECOULTRE-ATMOS-519-Brass-Glass-15j-Swiss-Perpetual-Motion-Clock-69873/174596156440?hash=item28a6bdec18%3Ag%3A5lEAAOSwOGtgAITI&LH_BIN=1

From the 50s and has blued screws instead of gilded screws. Seems like it's in good condition and in the description they said they checked that it runs... The regulator is in a good position in the photos (doesn't mean much - but always a warning sign if the regulator isn't in a good position) and service marks on the bottom of the clock.

It's certainly a cheap way to own a really lovely JLC timepiece in the home.

Wibbs

Bejaysus, :eek: that's some difference in price depending on the ebay region. Then again I'm being thick as usual as that's how I've gotten bargains down the years too. Italian, French and Spanish ebay as examples depending on brand and model. EG French watches are usually cheaper on French ebay. On the other hand I found German ebay to be avoided like the plague. Add at least 30% on top. Far less open to shipping if they don't list Ireland too(the UK and US can be similar I've found). South America could bring up some beauts at low money, Argentina in particular.

Thirdfox

Wibbs wrote: »

Bejaysus, :eek: that's some difference in price depending on the ebay region. Then again I'm being thick as usual as that's how I've gotten bargains down the years too. Italian, French and Spanish ebay as examples depending on brand and model. EG French watches are usually cheaper on French ebay. On the other hand I found German ebay to be avoided like the plague. Add at least 30% on top. Far less open to shipping if they don't list Ireland too(the UK and US can be similar I've found). South America could bring up some beauts at low money, Argentina in particular.

I do see random watches for exceedingly low prices in Argentina/Chile etc. but spider senses often tingle on those. It would be a region where I would feel okay spending hundreds on but not necessarily thousands (sellers listing Pateks and the like etc.)

Have you made many purchases from the S. Americas?

Yeah agreed about German ebay - I guess Germans have a lot of cash to spend.

Really should get into Rakuten (Japanese ebay/amazon equivalent) - have always found the Japanese sellers to be overly critical of their own listings' conditions - i.e. a 7/10 from them is usually truthfully a 9/10 on say Irish adverts. Buying 4/10 stuff from Japan is often a delight - because quite often it would be 7-8/10 quality in Ireland.

I.e. one small light scratch on the back of a lug might render a watch 5/10. Here we'd happily accept it as 8/10. Cultural difference I guess.

Wibbs

Thirdfox wrote: »

Have you made many purchases from the S. Americas?

Of my current stash three off the top of my head came from those parts(Chile and Argentina) and down the years I can think of three more. I've also sourced movements and bracelets. You would want to have your wits about you alright and really know the brand/model involved. Argentina was a very wealthy country back in the day and they had good taste in Swiss watches. Longines for example were huge over there(and in Latin countries in general actually). Patek and Zenith ditto. Girard Perregaux and Movado others. Quite a few American brands of course. Omega and Rolex not so many, if any show up as vintage.

Dead right with the Japanese. Very honest, or overly anal, you decide.

unkel

redlead wrote: »

Between this and all the Sinn clock purchases on here of late, I need to get my clock game on! Didn't Unkel get a "Rolex" clock recently too actually !

Wash your mouth, you can't compare my cheapo fake from China with a proper Zjay Zjay!

artanevilla

I want ones of these clocks immediately.

Cyclingtourist

If I had one those Sinn cet only clocks I'd take the battery out, then at least it'd be right twice a day.

hitemfrank

They do also have a manual set function so it can actually be correct the entire day

Thirdfox

artanevilla wrote: »

I want ones of these clocks immediately.

I was considering buying from this UK seller (and even post Brexit as they are a shop they can remove VAT and it won't be much difference to import into Ireland - could even be a 20% savings if Irish customs don't levy VAT on the post )

He gives some really good advice on the various Atmos models available and the differences between them - his prices for a store bought clock were very reasonable too.

https://www.clocksuk.co.uk/Atmos.html

https://www.clocksuk.co.uk/AtmosBuying.html
^His guide to Atmos buying.

He even addresses the fact that buying from the US may be cheaper - but you are definitely taking a risk (both that the clock is in good condition, and that the seller will ship it to you in secure enough packaging - I wasn't kidding when I said it took around 15 minutes to get through all the packaging used on my example).

And looking closely at my example I think I definitely lucked out - the seller didn't mention this but checking the stickers underneath one of the previous owners had seemed to service the clock once a decade (1999 and 2009) - that is probably why it runs so well.

With ebay listings sellers never guarantee performance - it's just (at best) - "tried it for a few hours and it is running" - so caveat emptor!

If sellers can post a video of the clock running - amplitude can be a quick way of seeing if the clock is still performing well or not - a freshly serviced Atmos should get around 540 degrees of amplitude...just checked mine and it's coming to around 500 so very happy with that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEVvOx97R4s - here's a 540 degree amplitude Atmos.

And they also do complications too - this one is gorgeous - but I imagine the cost will be very high:

Ri_Nollaig

Good god, that last clock is stunning!

Saying that, I think the art-deco styling of the one you actually got is more fitting a JLC.

I too have been eying up an Atoms clock for years
Will get one day!

oldsmokey

Thirdfox wrote: »

And powered by witchcraft (temperature changes in the air) - beating at a very leisurely 120bph (instead of our 28800 watches) - the JLC Atmos clock.




Considering this example comes from 1969 it's in fantastic shape:



Brass plated with 24k gold lasts quite well as you can see.





You can see some of the inner workings here (it's a chain driven clock technically - a variation of 1 degrees in temperature can provide hours of "power" for the clock)



It comes with its own bubble level - with such a low oscillation rate it really is key that it is placed on a flat surface with minimal vibrations.



The serial number on top identifies it as a '69 model:


I took a gamble with an ebay listing - it is much safer to buy them from proper clock shops where they have been serviced and the seller knows what they are dealing with. The seller I bought from on ebay seemed to specialise in clocks and shipped it from the US perfectly protected... once I spent about 15 minutes removing all the packaging - released the pendulum brake and breathed a sigh of relief as it started moving on its own.

JLC says once it is moved from one location to another to let the clock run for a month to settle down before starting to regulate it.

This will be the last major watch/clock purchase for this a long time (famous last words) - but this was a semi-grail clock for me. I got it to celebrate a change in job - and so far it is keeping great time.

The one thing that really distinguishes this clock from others is the eery quietness of it - my other mantel clocks will be ticking along merrily but the Atmos just leisurely moves in absolute silence - mesmerising to look at with the openworked design too.

Oh and when I say it's a "cheap" JLC - it's around 600 euro so a bargain for a JLC, maybe less so for a clock

Kept right I would hope that it could run for another 20-40 years before needing a service

That is a lovely lovely thing...nice to see someone getting a genuine bit of value...I’d love to have it on my mantelpiece...well wear sir

Thirdfox

Here's an image of the packaging the seller used to get the Atmos to me - 7 separate layers of packaging (hence taking 10ish minutes to cut through everything (carefully!)).

I can imagine that not every seller (especially private sellers) would be this conscientious or aware of how to best pack this clock. An anniversary clock I got sent over to me from the UK unfortunately had the pendulum wire snap because the seller didn't know (and to be fair I didn't tell him) to apply the pendulum brake prior to shipping. I'm hoping to make the repairs myself as it's not economical to pay a watchmaker to repair it (bought the new wire - just need to find some time to disassemble the clock and attach the new wire - nice new project).

Thirdfox

A month on I'm happy to report (whether by happy coincidence or it could have just been kept in really condition after servicing) that it appears to be running at less than a minute fast a week. I've made a minute change to the regulation lever (it had been a little less than centre, now centred) fingers crossed I've been amazingly lucky and this clock could run at close to 1min/2-3 weeks without any winding or interaction from myself.

Planning on getting some rubbing alcohol to give it the gentlest of cleanings over next weekend just to get that gilt shining to maximum effect.