Thread: Jaques LeCoultre question

I've seen a lot of Le Coultre kits and I've never seen one of those tools.

It's usually a small screwdriver with a wood handle. Didn't have any wood to fit so used antler. If the razor does not come with screwdriver how were buyers to change blades?
Most I have seen on the bay that are complete have the screwdriver.

There was a slot in the box for it!

You are absolutely correct. Give that man a cigar.

Originally Posted by bouschie

It's usually a small screwdriver with a wood handle. Didn't have any wood to fit so used antler. If the razor does not come with screwdriver how were buyers to change blades?
Most I have seen on the bay that are complete have the screwdriver.

The later models had a thumbscrew knurled like a watch crown, no screwdriver required!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

There was a slot in the box for it!

For the screwdriver or the mystery tool?

I have seen those. Guess that makes this an older model.

Originally Posted by bouschie

I have seen those. Guess that makes this an older model.

Yeah. I'm not clear on the dates or all the details.

My guess is that the screw & screwdriver is from before the 1890's (they go back to the 1840's) and the thumbscrew is after, but that's just a wild guess.

It's also possible it may have had to do with who the retailer was, since it looks like Le Coultre made slightly different versions for different markets, but again, I'm kinda guessing. Sadly, very few old newspaper ads included pictures. The oldest I found is this from 1898:

It seems they made a ton of different ones/sets. They keep coming up.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

It seems they made a ton of different ones/sets. They keep coming up.

I've lost count of the number of different tang stamps I've seen on them. Maybe as many as 5? I suppose that's to be expected considering they were selling them for 60+ years.

Personally, I have a fixed blade version scaled in ebony, a 3 blade set rescaled by someone with those naked lady celluloid scales, and an older 7 day set in ivory from a reseller in Geneva.

I've seen a 7-day ivory set of the more Sheffieldy type with 7 different handles, but the one I've got is 7 blades in a booklet, though it's missing the screwdriver.