Looking to Locate this Watch's History
A big aspect of watch collecting and the community, is researching the watch, its one of the fun hobbies that come with being a watch enthusiast. This is my first vintage head scratcher as I'm still new to the game.
My grandfather's LIP Souvernaire automatic wrist watch was passed down to my mother as a family heirloom of sorts. My mom asked me to find out the history behind this timepiece. I tried googling it and looking through LIP's background but couldn't find anything about this specific watch. All I found was the history of the company only.
This watch is a LIP Souvernaire Automatic Wristwatch with writings on the back of "856957" "Antimagnetic" "Waterproof" "Stainless Steel Back" .
If anyone knows or can find where and when this watch was made, maybe the history behind it. We don't care about monetary value, its more of a sentimental value for my mother.
Lip are French, and of relative importance.
The model is Souveraine.
Lip often used their own calibres (often denoted by Rxx). Mostly manual winds, if it’s auto with no date it’s likely to be a R147, which is effectively a PUW 1260, but I’m speculating. Not sure if they rode the Felsa Bidynator train of the late 40s / 50s, or if they went in on AS or other ebauches.
It will need a new crystal - acrylic will be appropriate and cheap to replace.
Probably 1960s judging by size, but pop the back. It’s very nice, probably not worth a lot in reality but what it’s worth in sentimentality is going to trump this.
Pop the back, check the movement - go reference it to Dr Ranfft’s database.
Lip are French, and of relative importance.
The model is Souveraine.
Lip often used their own calibres (often denoted by Rxx). Mostly manual winds, if it’s auto with no date it’s likely to be a R147, which is effectively a PUW 1260, but I’m speculating. Not sure if they rode the Felsa Bidynator train of the late 40s / 50s, or if they went in on AS or other ebauches.
It will need a new crystal - acrylic will be appropriate and cheap to replace.
Probably 1960s judging by size, but pop the back. It’s very nice, probably not worth a lot in reality but what it’s worth in sentimentality is going to trump this.
Pop the back, check the movement - go reference it to Dr Ranfft’s database.
Thank you so much I’ll be doing that asap, I really appreciate all that information.
I agree with @Porthole 's assessment except that I would move the date of the watch back into the 1950's based on the Arabic numerals. It looks post-war. Ranfft only links PUW movements to LIP around 1960 so something else may be powering that. You are going to need a stem and a crown, a common fix. There must be a LIP completist out there somewhere.
I agree with @Porthole 's assessment except that I would move the date of the watch back into the 1950's based on the Arabic numerals. It looks post-war. Ranfft only links PUW movements to LIP around 1960 so something else may be powering that. You are going to need a stem and a crown, a common fix. There must be a LIP completist out there somewhere.
It’s why I’m suggesting popping the back because the PUW 1260 is 1960-65, and I’m not just relying on Ranfft for that one. I agree the watch could be older based on style and appearance, and I would concede 50s is definitely reasonable, but if the movement was an R147 automatic then it’s a little too early unless it’s housing another manufacturers ebauche. Hence, pop the back…
It’s why I’m suggesting popping the back because the PUW 1260 is 1960-65, and I’m not just relying on Ranfft for that one. I agree the watch could be older based on style and appearance, and I would concede 50s is definitely reasonable, but if the movement was an R147 automatic then it’s a little too early unless it’s housing another manufacturers ebauche. Hence, pop the back…
I don't see many LIP watches, especially given how many were in production. Mortima, Yema, and even Selhor are more common and they shouldn't be.
I don't see many LIP watches, especially given how many were in production. Mortima, Yema, and even Selhor are more common and they shouldn't be.
True. Most I’ve ever seen are very beat up, or plain. This one hits the mark better, but needs a lot of work. Personally, the only vintage Lip I’d really get of bed for is an original Himalaya.
@Aurelian @Porthole
@Aurelian @Porthole
So it’s not an automatic - you stated it was an automatic in your spiel. It’s hand-wound…
Definitely going to need a stem and crown.
So it’s not an automatic - you stated it was an automatic in your spiel. It’s hand-wound…
Definitely going to need a stem and crown.
thats right my bad i misread the writing on the dial. It must say something like antishock maybe? It is definitely manual.