Jaeger LeCoultre has joined the pre-owned party, by launching its own Collectibles series of watches, sold via their website.

Refurbished and restored to concours classic car standard these are vintage watches with that factory fresh feel. Beautiful to look at, hand crafted too. For now there are just 12 pieces on sale and we love the Master Mariner from the late 60s, but at 24,000 euros we think you are better off buying a new JLC watch. If you do fancy a vintage model with the Cal 883 movement we found one from a watch dealer, asking price $9900. Yep, less than half the JLC factory price.

Don’t mind paying a premium for a factory refurbishment and a new crystal, strap etc but twice the market value?

If you want to go large a mere 60,000 euros gets you a restored Shark Deep Sea with a trusty Valjoux 72 inside. Again, lovely old watch but there are mint Valjoux 72 dive watches on the pre-owned market from around £2000. You aren’t going to dive in a restored JLC dive watch, or any other late 50s/early 60s dive watch, it’s a wear it occasionally investment piece.

Frankly 60,000 euros is better spent on a Daytona or Patek for the safe, plus a Doxa, Seiko or Ball gas tube lume watch for actual diving.

More here.