Jaeger-LeCoultre Navigator’s Mark 11 Wristwatch Tracking Page

"The wrist watch, Mk. 11 (Ref. No. 6B/346), is a highly accurate time-piece, suitable for astro navigation purposes."


(Courtesy of Claudio)


(Courtesy of Hans)

Updates


Introduction

This Tracking Page was created as an attempt to capture empirical information of the Jaeger-LeCoultre (JLC) Navigator's Mark 11 (Mark XI) Wristwatch, considered by many to be one of the finest mechanical military watches ever produced, for collectors to enjoy and observe this elegant military watch.

The legendary Mark 11 is the original pilot's watch made to the strict 6B/346 specification by the British Military of Defense (MoD) and issued to navigators in the RAF and later in the Australian RAAF.  Produced by both Jaeger-LeCoultre (JLC) and International Watch Company (IWC) only, both watches appear very similar with slight differences as can be seen in two great RAF examples below:



(Courtesy of Franco)

While I would love to track both manufacturer's known examples, this page focuses on the JLC Mark 11.  There's a mystique about the JLC Mark 11 that's unmistakable, powered by a true chronomètre-grade movement.


Background

Air Ministry and the RAF:
“The Air Ministry was created in January 1918 to oversee the birth in April 1918 of the Royal Air Force from the amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service.  The organization was broadly similar to that of the Admiralty and the War Office, with a Secretary of State chairing the Air Council and the senior RAF member holding the post of Chief of the Air Staff.  In 1919 the Air Ministry moved to Adastral House, then in Kingsway.  In 1952 the central part of the Air Ministry moved to the new building in Whitehall Gardens that was later to become the Main Building of the Ministry of Defence.”1

The British MOD:
“That the MOD can seem complex and confusing is partly attributable to the variety of tasks we undertake, but another reason lies in the Department’s origins. Today’s MOD is a fusion of old ministries: from 1946 to 1964 there were five Departments of State doing what the unified MOD does now: the Admiralty, the War Office, the Air Ministry, the Ministry of Aviation and the Ministry of Defence itself.  In 1964 the first three and the MOD were amalgamated, and the defence functions of the Ministry of Aviation Supply (as it had by then become) were absorbed in 1971, when the MOD took over responsibility for supplying military aircraft and guided weapons.”1

As noted above, the Royal Air Force (RAF) fell under the Air Ministry (AM).  I didn’t bother to find out how far the AM survived into the 50's, “but you will certainly notice, that some WW2 watches are either marked AM 6B etc., or simply have the Arrow mark - Never both (?) At any rate, you will of course not see the AM mark on any of the IWC, or other 1950's genre of RAF pilot's watches (except for the 1956 'rebuild' series).”2

Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co., Ltd:
This watch model was especially designed for the firm Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co., Ltd in London.  Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co., Ltd (G&S) was a High Street jeweler with Royal Appointments.  G&S did have premises in Regent Street, London W1.  (In the 1950's or early 60's, G&S became Garrards.)  G&S catered for the public as well as Royalty and Government sectors, and did supply the AM with clocks and watches, and likewise the RAF got hold of these through the AM.2

What the RAF or AM wanted, they would obtain from G&S.  G&S was also the service center for RAF watches.  In its heyday, G&S supplied a prolific number of watches to the RAF – including the Mark 11 and others like the Omega 53.  Please note the following picture from the JLC archive that mentions G&S.  While G&S would have been the catalyst for the watches acceptance, I’m a little surprised why a British jeweler would supply the Australian Department of Air? Why wouldn’t JLC or IWC ship their watches directly to Australia via their own agents?


The Mark 11 Specification

Sometime in 1946 or 1947 the RAF most likely decided it wanted a new pilot's watch, issued its specifications, and sent it to G&S to pursue.  G&S almost certainly then approached all their major contributors, evaluation contracts would have been initially issued to IWC and JLC, and G&S furnished the RAF with watches that met the requirement.   What the original document specified probably would have resembled the description from the A.P.112G-0815-1 on the Mark 11.  The full series of tests applicable to this watch is laid down in Spec. No. G.943.


Case / Engravings

Mark 11s are housed in a stainless steel case (marked "Staybrite on JLCs) with a screwed back.  As James Dowling pointed out, "the Mark 11 can make a claim to be the first wristwatches in the world designed from scratch to be anti magnetic.  Both JLC and IWC feature a very thick iron dial, which is cup shaped and so covers the side of the movement; the movement iron cover is similarly shaped and rises to meet the dial sides. This means that the movement is completely encased in a non magnetic "Faraday cage", thereby providing a high degree of anti magnetic shielding." 


The Air Publication, while not the original spec, was probably close to what the 1947/48 version had said: “An inner case of soft iron completely encloses the movement, and thus forms a continuous shield to screen the mechanism against magnetic interference. The front plate of the inner case, which is integral with the cylindrical portion forms the dial, and the soft iron back is expanded to make a sealed joint when the back of the outer case is screwed on. The screening effect is sufficient to ensure that the performance of the watch will remain entirely unaffected by the proximity of a strong magnetic field.”

Between the IWC and JLC, the case designs are different.


 The JLC is pleasingly odd, more bulbous or globular, with oddly long lugs; while the IWC is flatter trying to maximize dial exposure and more edgy.  Both are very elegant in appearance.  A comparison of their cases is shown in the pictures below:

JLC
Diameter 35.3 mm, lug-to-lug 46.3 mm, height (w/crystal) 12.6 mm
IWC
Diameter 35.9 mm, lug-to-lug 45.9 mm, height (w/crystal) 11.8 mm
IWC
             JLC

(Courtesy of Franco)


An interesting note on the IWC cases. Elias, a collector form the US, was intrigued by his Mark 11 case which had no markings on the outside but is of the military design.Despite not being marked with 6B/346 marks on the outside, IWC confirmed it was part of 70 pieces with movement from 1384231 to 1384300 that were sold in November 1958 to "Garrard London", which was the supplier of the British military as previously described. Furthermore, a noted a difference between civilian and military IWC Mark 11 cases can be noted -- the military case will be marked "JWC" and have no serial number.


IWC Military Caseback
IWC Civilian Caseback


Discussed on MWR, contracted British military watches usually do not have logos on the crown. The JLC Mark XI has been spotted with both and probably were both supplied by JLC. My unsigned crown has a diameter: 7 mm and height: 3 mm.   Before the Cellar kindly shared this reference, Ilja noticed a difference between the RAF and RAAFs – “The RAF version is a bit different to the RAAF version. Some were later "converted" to RAAF standard... In the original RAF version, the O-ring sealing is inside the crown, the RAAF watches have the O-ring sealing fitted at the winding tube. The RAAF winding situation is identical to the Geophysic.”


The Mark 11 reference number of 6B/346 signifies the following: “6B" means "Flying Equipment" (which in itself is not particular to watches), the combination of "6B/346" was the Mark 11's specification or designation.  The RAAF used a precursor “G” in their numbering system for their issued equipment.  As mentioned earlier, IWC and JLC are the only two that are Mark 11s (6B/346), but they are a part of a broader genre of watches issued to aircrew, which were there before and after the Mark 11 (e.g. 6B/159, 6B/234, or 6B/542).   The case back has the broad arrow on the outside along with other military markings besides the 6B/346, G6B/346 or G.6B/346. The issue numbers for the RAF are XXXX/48 (“48” is the year 1948) and the issue numbers for the RAAF are XXX/53 (“53” is the year 1953). I don’t know what "B/97" on the back of my RAF means, but its not on all RAFs and to my knowledge never on RAAFs. Some have speculated that it signifies that it is a decommission mark of some kind with the watches being released to the public in 1997…?



Movement

"The watch movement, in a sense, does not tell time but merely permits its mechanism to be released at a determined rate of speed." -- Henry Fried

What is it about mechanical watches that saved the industry from the brink of bankruptcy with the quartz?  In light of a maintenance-free G-Shock what’s so great about a strip of steel wound around an axle and connected to a large gear?  Compound this question with the fact that military watches are Spartan in design, meant as a tool for soldiers, navigators, etc.  Its not logical, but a passion of history, minimalist design and example of pure watchmaking skill that drives most collectors.  The JLC Mark 11 is the quintessential example.


The true beauty of the JLC Mark 11 lies hidden within only to be heard in its heartbeat.  In fact, a collector can only truly experience its beauty when physically opening the back and looking at the JLC Caliber 488/SBr movement.  Pictures really do not do it justice, it’s a work of art. 


Franco, a collector in England, provided a good description,  “The Caliber 488/Sbr is one of a handful of chronometer-grade manual wind watches from the 40's and 50's.  The others being the Omega 30T2SCRG and 30t2Rg, the Zenith cal. 135, the Peseux cal. 260M, and perhaps the IWC cal. 89 (this last was not a chronometer, but performed as a chronometer when specially regulated and tested).”


"What all these have in common is chronometer grade parts (particularly the balance, regulator, train wheels), very large balance wheel recess (nearly 1/2 of the movement diameter) nicely finished bridges, and uncommonly good performance. In the times of beats below 20,000, a large balance was thought to be good for maintaining isochronism."


Note the larger balance wheel in the JLC and the beauty of both the JLC and IWC movements finished in Geneva Stripes.  The MoD Spec called for both watches to be within +/- 4 seconds.  Particular features of the watch are highlighted below.

 

Manufacturer:

Jaeger-LeCoultre IWC(1)

Caliber:

488/Sbr (S= Stop, br= Breguet) 89

Picture:

Hack Mechanism:

Caliber with hack device and center seconds Caliber with hack device and center seconds, some early caliber versions may not have hacked.

Production Run:

1948-1953 1946-1980s?

Internal Reference No.:

E161 -

Production Number:

2,950 223,800 movements(1), approx. 9,000 watches

Movement diameter:

28.80 mm or 12½ Paris Lignes 26.50 mm or 11¾ Paris Lignes

Movement height :

5.00 mm 4.35 mm

No. of functional jewels:

16-jewel design 16 / 17-jewel design

Cycles (beats) per hour:

18,000 18,000

Mainspring Dimensions:

Length 420 mm, width 1.28 mm, thickness 0.1275 mm -

Winding stem:

1.20mm (diameter of threading) -

Bridges:

Single bridge design for the motion train multi-bridge design

Finish:

Rhodium brass finished with Geneva Stripes (Côtes de Genève) Rhodium brass finished with Geneva Stripes (Côtes de Genève)

Markings:

"fab suisse" & "swiss" on bridge with a Broad Arrow, movement serial (typically 91x,xxx) found next to the stop lever operation pin for RAAF 53 variants; “swiss”, Broad Arrow and movement serial (typically 59x,xxx) on the bridge for RAF 48 variants There were 7,650 Cal. 89 Mark 11s produced between 1947 (first placed into service in 1948) and 1952.  All of these had a broadarrow on the bridge.  After 1952, broadarrows were no longer placed on the bridge for military IWC Mark 11s

Center Seconds:

Indirect drive sweep seconds feature Indirect drive sweep seconds feature

Shock Protection:

No 1st Generation 1948 No, yes, thereafter

(1)  All technical data on the cal. 89 courtesy of Michael Friedberg and IWC - provided on the www.iwc.ch forum on 4/1/03.



While both movements are particularly fine and beautiful, there’s a mystique and beauty about the JLC Caliber 488/Sbr that’s unmistakable.  Produced in a very low production run for a short period of time, its unique design went on to morph into perhaps the finest vintage handwind Chronometre JLC produced – the 1958 JLC Chronomètre Geophysique (or Geophysic).  Considered its flagship watch from the 1950s, this special Chronmetre was made in commemoration of the Geophysical Year in 1958 and possibly JLC’s 125th anniversary.  Some similarities can be seen with its JLC Caliber P478BWSbr (17 jewels), but along with several notable differences – including shock protection, swans neck fine regulation, and adjustment to 5 positions & temps.  The Geophysic below is an ultra-rare pink gold variant, one of 25 made!

 JLC in the 1950s also provided ebauches to Vacheron & Constantin and used in their own flagship watch, the Chronometre Royale.  With a different bridge design and more jewels, our by-now familiar stop lever appears in VC’s Cal. P1007/BS (small second) with 18 jewels and Cal. P1008/BS (SC) with 19 jewels.  Like the Geophysic, the VC is a higher-grade movement with a swan-neck precision regulator, parachoc shock protection, a separate balance cock and superb VC finishing.


The obvious characteristic in all of these calibers is the unique stop lever.  So unique that some (wrongly) think the designers forgot about it or was an afterthought.  That misses entirely a neat and moreover elegant feature of the caliber, as this little stoplever employs a tiny loop to capture the balance wheel.


Production Numbers

Official JLC Mark 11 production figures was researched and discovered by Zaf of www.classicwatch.com, who is currently writing a book on Jaeger-LeCoultre and was kind enough to share the data.  Here is the original Production Sheet!  I summarized the information in the table below:


Date Batch Serial From / To
12/4/48 500 590,466 590,965
12/16/48 500 590,966 591,465
1/24/49 500 594,466 594,965
2/10/49 100 598,466 598,565
2/10/49 500 594,966 595,465
9/17/49 250 640,604 640,853
2/11/53 600 912,425 913,024
Total 2,950

Variations

 Dial Variations

"The dial is of soft iron with a matt black finish, and is marked with white Arabic numerals from 1 to 12. The minute divisions are marked in white, with the exception of the four cardinal graduations, which are luminized."

 

 

   

 

1st Generation "White 12" (rare)

 

2nd Generation "Broadarrow"

 

2nd Generation "Broadarrow" with Circle-T added on later (very rare)

 

3rd Generation
"RAAF" or
"Flat 3"

 

4th Generation
"RAAF" "Mod Redial"
circa 1956 (very rare)

 Caseback Military Marking Variants

 

 

 

 

RAF 6B/346

 

RAF 6B/346
B/97

 

RAAF G.6B/346

 

RAAF G6B/346

 Hand Variants

"The non-magnetic hour and minute hands are luminized and the centre seconds and is of bright non-magnetic metal."

 

 

 

 

 

"Pointed Hour"

"Cathedral"

 

RAF "Square Hour"

 

RAAF "Square Hour"

 

 RAAF Modifications

The RAAF had  a few modifications done to the JLC Mark 11s.  While some were noticed empirically, Cellar, a watch collector in Australia, did most of the digging to come up with an invaluable RAAF Watch Site linked below and culminated in his excellent article here: RAAF Mark 11 Research.  Here is a summary of the changes more detail is provided by the Cellar:


1. Spring Bars RAF pieces have fixed lugs while the RAAF were supplied with spring bars.  This has been arrived at empirically because much more RAAF watches appear without fixed bars than vice versa.  Interestingly enough, some RAAFs seem to have removed fixed bars under closer loupe inspection while others look like being manufacture without fixed bars, just the drilled holes.


2.  Flat Crystal/luminized sweep seconds hand: In 1954, the RAAF or the Dept of Air luminized the sweep second hand a fitted a "new acrylic crystal with a square step" to "enable the Mark XI Watch-Wrist Navigator's to be read more easily" and were "purchased locally and supplied to No. 1 Stores Depot by Air Force Head-Quarters"  Like most Mark 11 modifications including dials, changes like this were done when the MArk 11s came in from the field for servicing.  Note from the tracking page, while many RAAFs have surface with this square-step crystal so far only one has been spotted with this RAAF-mod luminized sweep seconds hand.


3.  Crown/gasket location: In 1959, the RAAF performed a “modification to improve the pendant sealing on Mk II Navigation Watches. The modification involves the fittings of a new type winding button and pendant…”  Before the Cellar kindly shared this reference, Ilja noticed a difference between the RAF and RAAFs –  the RAF version is a bit different to the RAAF version.  Some were later "converted" to RAAF standard... In the original RAF version, the O-ring sealing is inside the crown, while the RAAF watches have the O-ring sealing fitted at the winding tube. The RAAF winding situation is identical to the Geophysic.


Straps

An interesting RAF had a rare piece of provenance in a bracelet, which the pilot apparently had put on, with his name and RAF markings:

Craig was kind enough to look in his copy of the stores book (the RAF internal parts book). The edition in 1955 showed only an optional nylon strap as a RAF available spare for the Mark 11. It was then amended to show both the nylon strap and the Bonklip bracelet. “It is possible that the strap was listed as an option for the watch as per its original description. Latter it was realized that a replacement Bonklip was needed as well. So an amendment was issued to cover this.” 3

Craig also provided some further interesting information in regards to the Mark XI strap. “The Bonklip was A class and the strap was C class. This means that the Bonklip was accountable and the strap not. Most likely only a watch-servicing unit could order the Bonklip but the user could order a new strap. Because of this the Bonklip did not appear earlier because the servicing unit would have had it own parts books etc to order from. You would need to have a look at unit equipment schedules to see what they were entitled to hold to answer that question. Interestingly this watch has been removed from the stores book by 1966. This suggests that all watches were phased out by then?”

Restoration

As these watches are over 50 years old, restoration is sometimes a way to fully bring back their beauty.  A good rule of thumb would be to clean the movement every 3 years and definitely if you purchase one without knowing when it was last serviced.  In terms of the case, often it can become polished especially on the lugs from years of rubbing.  If its an untouched discovery, dirt also can accumulate in the crown etc.  The original finish on the JLC (and IWC) Mark 11s was a light satin finish.  This would include the back, where the satin finish originally would have been vertical.  I came across the JLC "White 12" Mark 11 below in need of such a case restoration.   www.classicwatch.com brought it back to its former glory with a light satin finish how the original would have looked.  Its hard to pick up in pictures, but it almost has a titanium type of look.


Also commonly done in restoration is removing the hazardous radium luminescent.  There's wabi purist points of view on whether to leave the original lume alone or not.  Collectors often go either routes and nowadays lume can be aged to match the appropriate aged-radium color (as shown above).


Original Find Stories

I found this fun to read and a rare thing.  Proud owners finding their JLCs after the MoD or RAAF unceremoniously sent them to mil surplus or in unique places around the world.  This was the golden age of watch collecting with those times long gone, but maybe some are still lurking in those flea markets!.  Enjoy.


Proud RAF Owner "Just a brief history from when I acquired it, I bought it in 1965 at a place called Scientific & Technical, Tottenham Court Road, London. after it was advertised in a WD surplus mag. They had about 100 to sell, each at £15 Sterling, which was a snip when you consider that at the time a Omega Seamaster chronometer would have cost you ten times as much! It has just had its latest clean and oil and maintains an accuracy of + 6-8 secs per week, which is'nt bad for a piece of clockwork 57 years old. Hope it qualifies for addition to your register."


Proud RAAF Owner:"I have had a Mark XI for almost 30 years and never knew its significance. I bought it from a disposal store in Sydney because my friend saw the small advert in the paper, advertising the watches among other things, and said Jaeger leCoultre was a good brand. I thought the fact that it was ex-RAAF devalued it. He and I both bought one. When I bought it the owner of the store said that when he got a batch of watches like these he sent them to a bloke in Perth to service them. This year, he said, instead of payment the bloke only wanted one of the Jaeger leCoultre watches for his labour. He said it was the best movement he had ever come across. A few years later I got it serviced and the man charged $60. I said that it was more than I paid for the watch. The man laughed and said 'you know this watch is a jewel.' I have treasured it ever since and only wear it to dress-up functions a few times a year."


Proud RAF Owner: "I bought the watch at a local flea market…I thought it is just an ordinary military watch (the reason I bought it coz I  do not have a JLC watch in my vintage collection).  The watch mechanism looks extraordinary so I decided to find more about it, until I found the link to your webpage.!  Indeed I was flabbergasted to find out such elaborate history on my new acquisition.   I bought it in Penang Island (which was hit by Tsunami but not as severe as Acheh). Royal Australian Airforce used to have a base in Penang, and we Malaysian regain independence from the British Empire in 1957. So I guess that's how the watch end-up in Penang."


Pricing

Best source on the net is here: http://www.watch-prices.com/


Tracking Table

' Movement
        Movement        
No. Pics Type Fixed Case Number B/97 Cal. 488/Sbr Dial Broadarrow Hands Home Comments
      Bars       Serial # Date          
1 1 RAF No 6B/346 2112/48 Yes 912583 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour USA
2 2 RAF No 6B/346 2118/48 Yes 590491 12/4/48 MoD Yes Flat hour Belgium
3 3 RAF No 6B/346 2126/48 Yes 594586 1/24/49 MoD Yes Flat hour U.K.
4 4 RAF Yes 6B/346 2134/48   590911 12/4/48 MoD Yes Pointed Hour
5 5 RAF Yes 6B/346 2145/48 Yes     MoD Yes Incorrect
6 6 RAF Yes 6B/346 2152/48 No 591013? 12/16/48 MoD Yes Cathedral
7 7 RAF Yes 6B/346 2193/48 590935 12/4/48 MoD Cathedral
8 8 RAF Yes 6B/346 2208/48 No 590713? 12/4/48 MoD Yes Incorrect UK
9 9 RAF Yes 6B/346 2217/48 No MoD Yes Cathedral
10 10 RAF Yes 6B/346 2226/48 No 590909 12/4/48 MoD Yes Square Hour USA
11 11 RAF Yes 6B/346 2231/48 Yes 594746 1/24/49 MoD Yes Pointed Hour
12 12 RAF Yes 6B/346 2235/48 No 591297 12/16/48 White 12 No Pointed Hour UK
13 13 RAF No 6B/346 2249/48 Yes 594889? 1/24/49 MoD Yes Pointed Hour UK
14 14 RAF No 6B/346 2257/48 No 912926 2/11/53 MoD Yes Pointed Hour Singapore
15 15 RAF Yes 6B/346 2260/48 No 590XXX 12/4/48 MoD Yes Flat hour
16 16 RAF Yes 6B/346 2264/48 590924 12/4/48 White 12 Yes Flat hour France
17 17 RAF Yes 6B/346 2276/48 MoD Cathedral
18 18 RAF Yes 6B/346 2294/48 No 591281 12/16/48 MoD Yes Pointed Hour UK Dealer switched casebacks with 3757
19 19 RAF Yes 6B/346 2344/48 No 590594 12/4/48 MoD Yes Cathedral Germany Square hour hands currently being installed
20 20 RAF Yes 6B/346 2349/48 594782 1/24/49 MoD Yes Flat hour
21 21 RAF Yes 6B/346 2392/48 Yes 595134 2/10/49 MoD Yes Square Hour USA
22 22 RAF Yes 6B/346 2415/48 No 590613 12/4/48 MoD Yes Flat hour
23 23 RAF Yes 6B/346 2419/48 Yes 594991 2/10/49 MoD Yes Flat hour UK
24 24 RAF Yes 6B/346 2439/48 No MoD Yes Pointed Hour
25 25 RAF Yes 6B/346 2452/48 Yes Yes Flat 3 No Flat hour USA
26 26 RAF Yes 6B/346 2525/48 No 591312 12/16/48 MoD Yes Pointed Hour Italy
27 27 RAF Yes 6B/346 2533/48 No 598643 2/10/49 Flat 3 No Cathedral UK
28 28 RAF Yes 6B/346 2568/48 590991? 12/16/48 MoD Arrow
29 29 RAF Yes 6B/346 2570/48 No 590994? 12/16/48 MoD Yes Incorrect Sold off German eBay
30 30 RAF Yes 6B/346 2585/48 Yes MoD Yes Fat hour Australia Still on  a Bonklip
31 31 RAF Yes 6B/346 2594/48 No 590999 12/16/48 MoD Yes Cathedral UK
32 32 RAF Yes 6B/346 2605/48 No 590541 12/4/48 MoD Yes Cathedral Germany
33 33 RAF Yes 6B/346 2636/48 No 590686 12/4/48 MoD Yes Flat hour
34 34 RAF Yes 6B/346 2646/48 No 594749 1/24/49 MoD Yes Cathedral
35 35 RAF Yes 6B/346 2655/48 Yes 590735 12/4/48 White 12 No Pointed Hour
36 36 RAF Yes 6B/346 2691/48 No 591014 12/16/48 MoD Yes Pointed Hour
37 37 RAF Yes 6B/346 2693/48 No 590592 12/4/48 White 12 No Pointed Hour UK
38 38 RAF Yes 6B/346 2698/48 No 59xxxx? MoD Yes Cathedral USA Had unusual RAF-marked bracelet band originally attached. Relumed by IWW
39 39 RAF Yes 6B/346 2723/48 No MoD Yes Pointed Hour
40 40 RAF Yes 6B/346 2740/48 No MoD Yes Flat hour USA
41 41 RAF Yes 6B/346 2747/48 No 590617 MoD Yes Pointed Hour
42 42 RAF Yes 6B/346 2749/48 MoD unknown
43 43 RAF Yes 6B/346 2759/48 No 595398 2/10/49 MoD Yes Flat hour Japan Incorrect sweep seconds3
44 44 RAF Yes 6B/346 2777/48 No 594642 1/24/49 MoD Yes Pointed Hour USA
45 45 RAF Yes 6B/346 2790/48 No 590698 12/4/48 MoD Yes Flat hour USA
46 46 RAF Yes 6B/346 2795/48 No 594477 1/24/49 MoD Yes Flat hour USA
47 47 RAF Yes 6B/346 2808/48 No 591390 12/16/48 MoD Yes Flat hour USA
48 48 RAF Yes 6B/346 2844/48 No 591412 12/16/48 MoD Yes Pointed Hour
49 49 RAF Yes 6B/346 2850/48 No White 12 No Pointed Hour Malaysia
50 50 RAF Yes 6B/346 2863/48 No 591303 12/16/48 MoD Yes Cathedral Incorrect sweep seconds
51 51 RAF Yes 6B/346 2868/48 No 598501 2/10/49 MoD Yes Flat hour Italy
52 52 RAF Yes 6B/346 2878/48 Yes 591262 12/16/48 MoD Yes Flat hour Canada
53 53 RAF Yes 6B/346 2909/48 No 591201 12/16/48 MoD Yes Cathedral
54 54 RAF Yes 6B/346 2936/48 No Redial Flat Hour
55 55 RAF Yes 6B/346 2955/48 No 591391 12/16/48 Flat 3 Pointed Hour USA
56 56 RAF Yes 6B/346 3002/48 No 590811? 12/4/48 NOS Flat 3 Yes Flat hour USA Restored by Le Sentier in 2002 using NOS parts with stunning satin finish
57 57 RAF Yes 6B/346 3020/48 No 591430 12/16/48 MoD Yes Flat hour
58 58 RAF 6B/346 3025/48
59 59 RAF Yes 6B/346 3079/48 Yes 591188 12/16/48 MoD Yes Square Hour U.S.A. WARNING, this watch was stolen, if you see it please contact me!
60 60 RAF Yes 6B/346 3102/48 No 591044 12/16/48 MoD Yes Cathedral
61 61 RAF Yes 6B/346 3114/48 No 591037 12/16/48 White 12 No Pointed Hour Germany
62 62 RAF Yes 6B/346 3141/48 No 594762 1/24/49 White 12 No Pointed Hour
63 63 RAF No 6B/346 3162/48 No 591124 12/16/48 MoD Yes Pointed Hour flat RAAF crystal
64 64 RAF Yes 6B/346 3176/48 No 590493 12/4/48 MoD Yes Flat hour UK
65 65 RAF Yes 6B/346 3194/48 No 594642 1/24/49 MoD Yes Pointed Hour Japan
66 66 RAF Yes 6B/346 3206/48 Yes 594921 1/24/49 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour
67 67 RAF Yes 6B/346 3226/48 No     MoD No Cathederal UK Has a replacement crown, back engraved "J. Hart".
68 68 RAF Yes 6B/346 3277/48 No 591134 12/16/48 MoD No Flat Hour UK Has a replacement crown, incorrect minute hand, incorrect sweep second, polished back.
69 69 RAF Yes 6B/346 3287/48 No MoD Yes Flat hour
70 70 RAF Yes 6B/346 3316/48 Yes MoD Yes Incorrect
71 71 RAF Yes 6B/346 3352/48 No 595020 2/10/49 MoD Yes Pointed Hour USA
72 72 RAF Yes 6B/346 3354/48 No MoD Yes Square Hour UK Replacement crown, good example of what a service back looks like, etched, not struck.
73 73 RAF Yes 6B/346 3362/48 Yes 595437 2/10/49 MoD Yes Pointed Hour USA
74 74 RAF Yes 6B/346 3411/48 No 598531 2/10/49 Flat 3 No Incorrect UK
75 75 RAF Yes 6B/346 3432/48 Yes MoD Yes Pointed Hour  
76 76 RAF Yes 6B/346 3444/48 No 595440 2/10/49 MoD Yes Pointed Hour UK
77 77 RAF Yes 6B/346 3451/48 No 591018 12/16/48 MoD Yes Cathedral  
78 78 RAF Yes 6B/346 3462/48 Yes 595181 2/10/49 MoD Yes Square Hour USA
79 79 RAF Yes 6B/346 3467/48       unknown
80 80 RAF Yes 6B/346 3483/48 No 594818 1/24/49 MoD Yes Flat hour
81 81 RAF Yes 6B/346 3485/48 No MoD Yes Pointed Hour
82 82 RAF Yes 6B/346 3500/48 No 591135 12/16/48 MoD Yes Flat hour UK
83 83 RAF Yes 6B/346 3510/48 No 590974 12/16/48 White 12 No Flat Hour USA
84 84 RAF Yes 6B/346 3514/48 Yes 594900 1/24/49 MoD Yes Flat hour USA
85 85 RAF Yes 6B/346 3530/48 No 595437 2/10/49 White 12 No Pointed Hour UK
86 86 RAF Yes 6B/346 3533/48 MoD Square
87 87 RAF Yes 6B/346 3568/48 No 591145 12/16/48 MoD Yes Flat hour UK
88 88 RAF Yes 6B/346 3604/48 UK
89 89 RAF Yes 6B/346 3615/48 Yes 594548 2/10/49 White 12 No Pointed Hour UK
90 90 RAF Yes 6B/346 3647/48 No 595147 2/10/49 MoD Yes Flat hour Israel
91 91 RAF Yes 6B/346 3652/48 Yes
92 92 RAF Yes 6B/346 3696/48 Yes 590543 12/4/48 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour Japan
93 93 RAF Yes 6B/346 3757/48 Yes 595148? 2/10/49 White 12 No Cathedral
94 94 RAF Yes 6B/346 3781/48 No MoD Yes Pointed Hour UK
95 95 RAF Yes 6B/346 3806/48 No MoD Yes Pointed Hour USA
96 96 RAF Yes 6B/346 3831/48 Yes 594944 1/24/49 MoD Yes Flat hour USA
97 97 RAF Yes 6B/346 3855/48 No 590682 12/4/48 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour
98 98 RAF Yes 6B/346 3920/48 64070X? 9/17/49 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour
99 99 RAF Yes 6B/346 3936/48 Yes 594541 1/24/49 MoD Yes Flat hour
100 100 RAF Yes 6B/346 3942/48 No 595072 2/10/49 MoD Yes Flat hour
101 101 RAF Yes 6B/346 3947/48 No MoD Yes Pointed Hour
102 102 RAF Yes 6B/346 3951/48 MoD Pointed Hour
103 103 RAF Yes 6B/346 3953/48 No White 12 No Pointed Hour  
104 104 RAF Yes 6B/346 3859/48 No 590741 12/4/48 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour UK
105 105 RAF Yes 6B/346 3893/48 MoD Yes Incorrect
106 106 RAF Yes 6B/346 3995/48 595094? 2/10/49 MoD Arrow
107 107 RAF Yes 6B/346 4031/48 No 591043 12/16/48 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour
108 108 RAF Yes 6B/346 4036/48 Yes UK
109 109 RAF Yes 6B/346 4046/48 No 590949 12/4/48 White 12 No Pointed Hour
110 110 RAF Yes 6B/346 4053/48 Yes 595157 2/10/49 MoD Yes Cathedral
111 111 RAF Yes 6B/346 4057/48 No UK
112 112 RAF Yes 6B/346 4064/48 White 12 Flat hour
113 113 RAF Yes 6B/346 4068/48 No 595386 2/10/49 White 12 Yes Pointed hour
114 114 RAF Yes 6B/346 4090/48 No 598498 2/10/49 MoD Yes Cathedral
115 115 RAF Yes 6B/346 4095/48 590645? 12/4/48 MoD Cathedral
116 1 RAAF No G.6B/346 174 No 912459 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour USA
117 2 RAAF No G.6B/346 230 No 913007 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour
118 3 RAAF No G.6B/346 240 No 6408049/17/49 White Twelve No Square Hour USA
119 4 RAAF No G.6B/346 266 No 912844 2/11/53 NOS Flat 3 No Flat hour USA
120 5 RAAF No G.6B/346 268 No   Flat 3 No Flat hour
121 6 RAAF No G.6B/346 299 No 912528 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour Australia
122 7 RAAF No G.6B/346 274 No 640647 9/17/49 White 12 No Flat hour Australia
123 8 RAAF No G.6B/346 308 No 595325 2/10/49 White 12 No Flat hour
124 9 RAAF No G.6B/346 318 No 640750 9/17/49 White 12 No Flat hour Germany
125 10 RAAF No G.6B/346 327 No 640656 9/17/49 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour Malaysia
126 11 RAAF No G.6B/346 338 No Flat 3 No Flat hour
127 12 RAAF Yes G.6B/346 381 No 594841? 1/24/49 MoD Yes Flat hour
128 13 RAAF No G.6B/346 407 No 640763 9/17/49 Flat 3 No Flat hour
129 14 RAAF No G.6B/346 408 No 640847 9/17/49 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour Germany
130 15 RAAF No G.6B/346 410 No 912714 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat Hour China (HK)
131 1 RAAF No G6B/346 15/53 No 640697 9/17/49 Flat 3 No Flat Hour Australia  
132 2 RAAF No G6B/346 58/53 No Flat 3 No Pointed Hour
133 3 RAAF No G6B/346 77 / 53 No Flat 3 No Flat hour
134 4 RAAF No G6B/346 89 / 53 No 640722 9/17/49 Flat 3 No Flat hour USA
135 5 RAAF No G6B/346 104 / 53 No Flat 3 No Flat hour China (HK)
136 6 RAAF No G6B/346 113 / 53 No 640759 9/17/49 Flat 3 No Flat hour Italy
137 7 RAAF No G6B/346 115 / 53 No 912826 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour Australia
138 8 RAAF G6B/346 139 / 53 No 912690 2/11/53 Flat 3 No
139 9 RAAF No G6B/346 140 / 53 No 912728 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour China (HK)
140 10 RAAF No G6B/346 169 / 53 No 912538 2/11/53 NOS Flat 3 No Flat hour Holland Pics courtesy of HG in the Netherlands, nice restoration
141 11 RAAF No G6B/346 172 / 53 No NOS Flat 3 No Flat hour Canada
142 12 RAAF No G6B/346 200 / 53 No MoD Yes Japan Watch now has been completed and is in Japan with a different dial and close, but incorrect hands.
143 13 RAAF No G6B/346 208 / 53 No 912637 2/11/53 White 12 No Flat hour USA
144 14 RAAF No G6B/346 230 / 53 No 913015 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour Thailand
145 15 RAAF No G6B/346 234 / 53 No 912XXX? 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour Germany Pics courtesy of K. Knirim
146 16 RAAF No G6B/346 236 / 53 No 913013 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour
147 17 RAAF No G6B/346 237 / 53 No 912727 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour China (HK)
148 18 RAAF No G6B/346 241 / 53 No 912973 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Redial UK
149 19 RAAF No G6B/346 259 / 53 No Flat 3 No Flat hour China (HK)
150 20 RAAF No G6B/346 264 / 53 No 912491 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour Singapore
151 21 RAAF No G6B/346 278 / 53 No 595280 2/10/49 White 12 No Flat hour China (HK)
152 22 RAAF No G6B/346 284 / 53 No 912917 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour
153 23 RAAF No G6B/346 307 / 53 No 912885 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour
154 24 RAAF G6B/346 315 / 53 No No No White 12 No
155 25 RAAF Yes G6B/346 319 / 53 No 912928 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour
156 26 RAAF No G6B/346 326 / 53 No 640726 9/17/49 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour
157 27 RAAF No G6B/346 335 / 53 No Flat 3 No Pointed Hour Watch restored by classicwatch.com
158 28 RAAF Yes G6B/346 355 / 53 No 595245 2/10/49 White 12 No Pointed Hour
159 29 RAAF Yes G6B/346 362 / 53 No Flat 3 No Square Hour
160 30 RAAF No G6B/346 367 / 53 No Flat 3 No Flat hour
161 31 RAAF Yes G6B/346 397 / 53 No 6407XX 9/17/49 Flat 3 No Flat hour
162 32 RAAF No G6B/346 402 / 53 No 912584 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat Hour Australia
163 33 RAAF No G6B/346 423 / 53 No 912537 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour
164 34 RAAF No G6B/346 408 / 53 No 91XXXX? 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour USA
165 35 RAAF No G6B/346 427 / 53 No 640817 9/17/49 NOS Flat 3 No Flat hour Germany
166 36 RAAF No G6B/346 434 / 53 No 912679 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour China (HK)
167 37 RAAF No G6B/346 463 / 53 No 913024 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour Australia The last 488/Sbr ever made!
168 38 RAAF No G6B/346 485 / 53 No 640617 9/17/49 Flat 3 No Flat hour Germany Pics courtesy of Wolfhard in Germany (has flat Aussie-spec crystal)
169 39 RAAF No G6B/346 494 / 53 No 912442 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour
170 40 RAAF No G6B/346 499 / 53 No 912861 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour
171 41 RAAF No G6B/346 508 / 53 No 912834 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat Hour Australia
172 42 RAAF No G6B/346 526 / 53 No Flat 3 No Incorrect
173 43 RAAF No G6B/346 561 / 53 No Flat 3 No Flat Hour Incorrect crown
174 44 RAAF No G6B/346 565 / 53 No Flat 3 No Flat hour UK
175 45 RAAF No G6B/346 574 / 53 No 912796 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour USA
176 46 RAAF No G6B/346 576 / 53 No Flat 3 No Flat hour
177 47 RAAF No G6B/346 580 / 53 No 912814 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour
178 48 RAAF No G6B/346 588 / 53 No 640807? 9/17/49 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour
179 49 RAAF No G6B/346 586 / 53 No Flat 3 No Flat Hour Spain Sold on eBay Spain. Incorrect crown, polished case.
180 50 RAAF No G6B/346 589 / 53 No 91271X 2/11/53 Mod Yes Flat Hour HK

Statistics

  RAF JLC 6B/346 Mark 11 115
  RAAF JLC G.6B/346 Mark 11 15
  RAAF JLC G6B/346 Mark 11 50
  Total Observed Count 180

Contact Info 

If you have an JLC Mark 11 and would like to have it added to the table or have suggestions for other information that could be added to this page related to JLC Mark 11s, please e-mail either Zaf at zafbasha@classicwatch.com or Paul at shepcs2002@yahoo.com


Links

A great place to discuss JLC watches and ask some experts: www.jaegerlecoultreforum.com
For one of the best places on the net for vintage jaeger-lecoultre's and other watches: www.classicwatch.com
This page was directly inspired from the excellent IWC Tracking Page here: IWC WWW Tracking Page
A great comparison of JLC & IWC Mark 11s by Tito Quest for two Marks (long) and Quest for the two Marks - Part II (movement scans)
A great RAAF watch site with a interesting article on the Mark 11 and the RAAF: RAAF Watches
Some of the best pictorials ever of the JLC, an article by SteveG Jaeger-LeCoultre Mark 11, caliber 488SBr


Footnotes:
1.Ministry of Defence
2. From discussions with Z.M Wesolowski, author of the book A Concise Guide to Military Timepieces 1880-1990.
3.  Craig P.


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