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.” Mark 11 Mark XI


(Courtesy of Claudio)

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 one of the finest 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, housed with 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
dia 35.3 mm, lug-to-lug 43.5 mm, height (w/crystal) 12.6 mm

IWC
dia XX mm, lug-to-lug XX mm, height (w/crystal) XX mm

                          IWC                                         JLC

(Courtesy of Franco)

An interesting not 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(1)

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 1957 (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 bride for military IWC Mark 11s

Center Seconds: Indirect drive sweep seconds feature

Indirect drive sweep seconds feature

Shock Protection: No

Yes

Production Sheets:  

 

(1)  All technical data on the cal. 89 courtesy of Michael Friedberg and IWC - provided on the http://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 http://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 (rare)		   3rd Generation
"RAAF" or
"Flat 3"

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 notice 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.   http://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.vintagewatchpriceguide.com/

Tracking Table

No. Pics Type Case Movement Dial Hands Home Comments
      Fixed Number B/97 Cal. 488/Sbr Characteristic Broadarrow      
      Bars       Serial # Date          
1 1 1 2 3 4         RAF No 6B / 346 2112 / 48 Yes 912583 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour USA  
2 2 1 2             RAF Yes 6B / 346 2134 / 48   590911 12/4/48 MoD Yes Pointed Hour    
3 3 1 2             RAF Yes 6B / 346 2145 / 48 Yes   - MoD Yes Incorrect    
4 4 1 2 3 4 5       RAF Yes 6B / 346 2152 / 48 No 591013? 12/16/48 MoD Yes Cathedral    
5 5                 RAF Yes 6B / 346 2193 / 48   590935 12/4/48 MoD   Cathedral    
6 6 1 2 3           RAF Yes 6B / 346 2208 / 48 No 590713? 12/4/48 MoD Yes Incorrect UK  
7 7 1 2 3 4         RAF Yes 6B / 346 2231 / 48 Yes 594746 1/24/49 MoD Yes Pointed Hour    
8 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 RAF Yes 6B / 346 2235 / 48 No 591297 12/16/48 White 12 No Pointed Hour UK  
9 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 RAF No 6B / 346 2257 / 48 No 912926 2/11/53 MoD Yes Pointed Hour Singapore  
10 10                 RAF Yes 6B / 346 2276 / 48     - MoD   Cathedral    
11 11 1 2 3 4         RAF Yes 6B / 346 2344 / 48 No 590594 12/4/48 MoD Yes Cathedral Germany Square hour hands currently being installed
12 12                 RAF Yes 6B / 346 2349 / 48   594782 1/24/49 MoD   Flat hour    
13 13 1 2 3 4         RAF Yes 6B / 346 2415 / 48 No 590613 12/4/48 MoD Yes Flat hour    
14 14 1 2 3           RAF Yes 6B / 346 2419 / 48 Yes 594991 2/10/49 MoD Yes Flat hour UK  
15 15 1 2 3 4 5       RAF Yes 6B / 346 2452 / 48 Yes   - Flat 3 No Flat hour USA  
16 16                 RAF Yes 6B / 346 2568 / 48   590991? 12/16/48 MoD   Arrow    
17 17 1 2 3           RAF Yes 6B / 346 2570 / 48 No 590994? 12/16/48 MoD Yes Incorrect   Sold off German eBay
18 18 1 2 3           RAF Yes 6B / 346 2585 / 48 Yes   - MoD Yes Flat hour Australia Still on  a Bonklip
19 19 1 2 3 4         RAF Yes 6B / 346 2646 / 48 No 594749 1/24/49 MoD Yes Cathedral    
20 20 1 2 3 4         RAF Yes 6B / 346 2655 / 48 Yes 590735 12/4/48 White 12 No Pointed Hour    
21 21 1 2 3 4         RAF Yes 6B / 346 2691 / 48 No 591014 12/16/48 MoD Yes Pointed Hour    
22 22 1 2 3 4 5 6     RAF Yes 6B / 346 2693 / 48 No 590592 12/4/48 White 12 No Pointed Hour UK  
23 23 1 2 3 4 5       RAF Yes 6B / 346 2698 / 48 No 59xxxx? - MoD Yes Cathedral USA Had unusual RAF-marked bracelet band originally attached. Relumed by IWW
24 24 1 2             RAF Yes 6B / 346 2723 / 48 No     MoD Yes Pointed Hour    
25 25 1 2 3           RAF Yes 6B / 346 2740 / 48 No   - MoD Yes Flat hour USA  
26 26                 RAF Yes 6B / 346 2749 / 48     - MoD   unknown    
27 27 1 2 3           RAF Yes 6B / 346 2759 / 48 No 595398 2/10/49 MoD Yes Flat hour Japan Incorrect sweep seconds
28 28 1 2 3 4         RAF Yes 6B / 346 2850 / 48 No     White 12 No Pointed Hour Malaysia  
29 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7   RAF Yes 6B / 346 2863 / 48 No 591303 12/16/48 MoD Yes Cathedral   Incorrect sweep seconds
30 30 1 2 3 4         RAF Yes 6B / 346 2868 / 48 Yes 598501 2/10/49 MoD Yes Flat hour Italy  
31 31 1 2 3 4         RAF Yes 6B / 346 2955 / 48 No 591391 12/16/48 Flat 3 Pointed Hour UK
32 32 1 2

3

 4 5 6 7   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
33 33 1 2 3           RAF Yes 6B / 346 3020 / 48 No 591430 12/16/48 MoD Yes Flat hour    
34 34                 RAF   6B / 346 3025 / 48                
35 35 1 2 3 4         RAF Yes 6B / 346 3102 / 48 No 591044 12/16/48 MoD Yes Cathedral    
36 36 1 2             RAF Yes 6B / 346 3114 / 48 No 591037 12/16/48 White 12 No Pointed Hour Germany  
37 37 1 2 3 4 5 6     RAF No 6B / 346 3162 / 48 No 591124 12/16/48 MoD Yes Pointed Hour   flat RAAF crystal
38 38 1 2 3           RAF Yes 6B / 346 3176 / 48 No 590493 12/4/48 MoD Yes Flat hour UK  
39 39 1 2

3

 4 5 6 7   RAF Yes 6B / 346 3287 / 48 No     MoD Yes Flat hour    
40 40                 RAF Yes 6B / 346 3352 / 48   595020 2/10/49 MoD   Pointed Hour    
41 41 1 2 3 4         RAF Yes 6B / 346 3362 / 48 Yes 595437 2/10/49 MoD Yes Pointed Hour USA  
42 42 1 2 3           RAF Yes 6B / 346 3432 / 48 Yes   - MoD Yes Pointed Hour    
43 43 1 2 3 4         RAF Yes 6B / 346 3451 / 48 No 591018 12/16/48 MoD Yes Cathedral    
44 44                 RAF Yes 6B / 346 3467 / 48     -     unknown    
45 45 1 2 3 4 5 6 7   RAF Yes 6B / 346 3483 / 48 No 594818 1/24/49 MoD Yes Flat hour    
46 46 1 2 3 4 5       RAF Yes 6B / 346 3514 / 48 Yes 594900 1/24/49 MoD Yes Flat hour USA  
47 47                 RAF Yes 6B / 346 3530 / 48     - White 12 No Pointed Hour UK  
48 48                 RAF Yes 6B / 346 3533 / 48     - MoD   Square    
49 49 1 2 3 4         RAF Yes 6B / 346 3647 / 48 No 595147 2/10/49 MoD Yes Flat hour Israel  
50 50 1 2 3           RAF Yes 6B / 346 3757 / 48 Yes 595148? 2/10/49 White 12 No Cathedral    
51 51 1 2 3 4         RAF Yes 6B / 346 3806 / 48 No   - MoD Yes Pointed Hour USA  
52 52 1 2 3           RAF Yes 6B / 346 3831 / 48 Yes 594944 1/24/49 MoD Yes Flat hour USA  
53 53 1 2 3 4         RAF Yes 6B / 346 3855 / 48 No 590682 12/4/48 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour    
54 54 1 2 3 4 5       RAF   6B / 346 3920 / 48   64070X? 9/17/49 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour    
55 55 1 2 3 4 5       RAF Yes 6B / 346 3936 / 48 Yes 594541 1/24/49 MoD Yes Flat hour    
56 56 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 RAF Yes 6B / 346 3942 / 48 No 595072 2/10/49 MoD Yes Flat hour    
57 57                 RAF Yes 6B / 346 3951 / 48     - MoD   Pointed Hour    
58 58 1 2 3 4 5       RAF Yes 6B / 346 3953 / 48 No     White 12 No Pointed Hour    
59 59 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 RAF Yes 6B / 346 3859 / 48 No 590741 12/4/48 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour UK  
60 60 1 2 3           RAF Yes 6B / 346 3893 / 48       MoD Yes Incorrect    
61 61                 RAF Yes 6B / 346 3995 / 48   595094? 2/10/49 MoD   Arrow    
62 62 1 2 3 4 5 6     RAF Yes 6B / 346 4031 / 48 No 591043 12/16/48 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour    
63 63 1 2 3 4         RAF Yes 6B / 346 4046 / 48 No 590949 12/4/48 White 12 No Pointed Hour    
64 64 1 2             RAF Yes 6B / 346 4057 / 48 No   -       UK  
65 65                 RAF Yes 6B / 346 4064 / 48     - White 12   Flat hour    
66 66 1 2 3 4         RAF Yes 6B / 346 4090 / 48 No 598498 2/10/49 MoD Yes Cathedral    
67 67                 RAF Yes 6B / 346 4095 / 48   590645? 12/4/48 MoD   Cathedral    
1 68 1 2 3 4 5       RAAF No G.6B / 346 174 No 912459 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour USA  
2 69 1 2 3 4 5 6     RAAF No G.6B / 346 230 No 913007 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour    
3 70 1 2 3           RAAF No G.6B / 346 266 No 912844 2/11/53 NOS Flat 3 No Flat hour USA  
4 71 1 2 3 4 5       RAAF No G.6B / 346 274 No 640647 9/17/49 White 12 No Flat hour Australia  
5 72 1 2 3           RAAF No G.6B / 346 327 No 640656 9/17/49 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour Malaysia  
6 73 1 2 3           RAAF No G.6B / 346 338 No     Flat 3 No Flat hour    
7 74 1 2 3 4 5       RAAF Yes G.6B / 346 381 No 594841? 1/24/49 MoD Yes Flat hour    
8 75 1 2 3 4 5 6     RAAF No G.6B / 346 408 No 640847 9/17/49 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour Germany  
9 76 1 2 3 4 5 6     RAAF No G.6B / 346 410 No 912714 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat Hour China (HK)  
1 77 1 2             RAAF No G6B / 346 58 / 53 No     Flat 3 No Pointed Hour    
2 78 1 2 3 4 5       RAAF No G6B / 346 77 / 53 No     Flat 3 No Flat hour    
3 79 1 2 3 4 5 6     RAAF No G6B / 346 89 / 53 No 640722 9/17/49 Flat 3 No Flat hour USA  
4 80 1 2 3 4         RAAF No G6B / 346 104 / 53 No     Flat 3 No Flat hour China (HK)  
5 81 1 2 3 4 5 6 7   RAAF No G6B / 346 113 / 53 No 640759 9/17/49 Flat 3 No Flat hour Italy  
6 82 1 2 3 4 5       RAAF No G6B / 346 115 / 53 No 912826 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour Australia  
7 83                 RAAF   G6B / 346 139 / 53 No 912690 2/11/53 Flat 3 No      
8 84 1 2 3           RAAF No G6B / 346 140 / 53 No 912728 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour China (HK)  
9 85 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 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
10 86 1 2             RAAF No G6B / 346 172 / 53 No   - NOS Flat 3 No Flat hour Canada  
11 87 1 2 3           RAAF No G6B / 346 200 / 53 No     MoD Yes   Australia  
12 88 1 2 3 4 5       RAAF No G6B / 346 208 / 53 No 912637 2/11/53 White 12 No Flat hour USA  
13 89 1 2 3 4 5       RAAF No G6B / 346 230 / 53 No 913015 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour Thailand  
14 90 1 2 3           RAAF No G6B / 346 234 / 53 No 912XXX? 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour Germany Pics courtesy of  K. Knirim
15 91 1 2 3 4         RAAF No G6B / 346 236 / 53 No 913013 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour    
16 92 1 2 3 4         RAAF No G6B / 346 259 / 53 No     Flat 3 No Flat hour China (HK)  
17 93 1 2 3           RAAF No G6B / 346 264 / 53 No 912491 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour Singapore  
18 94 1 2 3 4         RAAF No G6B / 346 278 / 53 No 595280 2/10/49 White 12 No Flat hour China (HK)  
19 95 1 2 3 4         RAAF No G6B / 346 307 / 53 No 912885 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour    
20 96                 RAAF   G6B / 346 315 / 53 No   - White 12 No      
21 97 1 2 3 4 5       RAAF Yes G6B / 346 319 / 53 No 912928 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour    
22 98 1 2 3 4         RAAF No G6B / 346 326 / 53 No 640726 9/17/49 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour    
23 99 1 2 3           RAAF Yes G6B / 346 355 / 53 No 595245 2/10/49 White 12 No Pointed Hour    
24 100 1 2 3           RAAF No G6B / 346 367 / 53 No   - Flat 3 No Flat hour    
25 101 1 2 3 4 5       RAAF Yes G6B / 346 397 / 53 No 6407XX 9/17/49 Flat 3 No Flat hour    
26 102 1 2 3 4         RAAF No G6B / 346 423 / 53 No 912537 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour    
27 103 1 2 3 4         RAAF No G6B / 346 408 / 53 No 91XXXX? 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour USA  
28 104 1               RAAF No G6B / 346 427 / 53 No 640817 9/17/49 NOS Flat 3 No Flat hour Germany  
29 105 1 2 3 4 5       RAAF No G6B / 346 434 / 53 No 912679 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour China (HK)  
30 106 1 2             RAAF No G6B / 346 463 / 53 No 913024 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour Australia The last 488/Sbr ever made!
31 107 1 2 3 4 5       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)
32 108 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 RAAF No G6B / 346 494 / 53 No 912442 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour    
33 109 1 2 3 4         RAAF No G6B / 346 526 / 53 No     Flat 3 No Incorrect    
34 110 1 2 3 4 5       RAAF No G6B / 346 574 / 53 No 912796 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Flat hour USA  
35 11 1 2 3 4 5       RAAF No G6B / 346 580 / 53 No 912814 2/11/53 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour    
36 112 1 2 3           RAAF No G6B / 346 588 / 53 No 640807? 9/17/49 Flat 3 No Pointed Hour    

Statistics

  RAF JLC 6B/346 Mark 11 67
  RAAF JLC G.6B/346 Mark 11 9
  RAAF JLC G6B/346 Mark 11 36

(Courtesy of Claudio)

   Total Observed Count 112

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 me 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: http://www.classicwatch.com/
This page was directly inspired from the excellent IWC Tracking Page here: IWC WWW Tracking Page
Here's a neat JLC Site: JLC Society
An earlier review of my first JLC Mark 11 is here: JLC Society Mark 11 Review
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

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.

The information on this page is the copyright of the Paul Shepard, Ilja Probst and Zaf Basha.
The images on this page are taken from publicly available sources, or used with permission, and are the copyright of their respective owners.


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