JLC Atmos finally spot on....

ErichPryde
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ErichKeane ErichKeane
SO, I actually just discovered the Atmos on youtube! This is such a cool clock, I think I'll have to pick one up some day!

There was one for sale on this forum in Portland, from user @Vercingetorix. May want to reach out and see if it is still available if you have interest? I considered it, they're cool.


https://omegaforums.net/threads/jaeger-lecoultre-atmos-clock.181595/ Cover Image
Thread 'Jaeger LeCoultre Atmos Clock' ·
Thrift store find. I simply have too many at this point in time. Clock is in good shape, better than some of mine, but has an engraving on the back. Clock has been running for the last month...
SOLD
$ 400 USD
Vercingetorix ·
 
ErichKeane
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ErichPryde ErichPryde
There was one for sale on this forum in Portland, from user @Vercingetorix. May want to reach out and see if it is still available if you have interest? I considered it, they're cool.


https://omegaforums.net/threads/jaeger-lecoultre-atmos-clock.181595/ Cover Image
Thread 'Jaeger LeCoultre Atmos Clock' ·
Thrift store find. I simply have too many at this point in time. Clock is in good shape, better than some of mine, but has an engraving on the back. Clock has been running for the last month...
SOLD
$ 400 USD
Vercingetorix ·
Ooof... how dare you. I hope he doesnt' have it anymore 😁
 
gbesq
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They are amazing. I’ve had mine for years and it runs and runs with almost perfect time. The key is to make sure that the clock is level and then make VERY small adjustments when needed to get the timing just right. When you get everything set up correctly, it’s the closest thing there is as a perpetual machine.
IMG_9146.webp
 
ErichKeane
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gbesq gbesq
They are amazing. I’ve had mine for years and it runs and runs with almost perfect time. The key is to make sure that the clock is level and then make VERY small adjustments when needed to get the timing just right. When you get everything set up correctly, it’s the closest thing there is as a perpetual machine.
IMG_9146.webp
I both desperately want one, and also hope I can't find one at a reasonable price. BUT if the one @ErichPryde mentions above is still available, the former is going to win 😀 They are so neat looking, and I love the 'perpetual' mechanical clocks! I just finished repairing a Omega Rocket 095, which uses a 9v battery to wind a mechanical movement, and that mesmerizes me. This just seems like the next step 😁
 
gbesq
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ErichKeane ErichKeane
I both desperately want one, and also hope I can't find one at a reasonable price. BUT if the one @ErichPryde mentions above is still available, the former is going to win 😀 They are so neat looking, and I love the 'perpetual' mechanical clocks! I just finished repairing an Omega Rocket 095, which uses a 9v battery to wind a mechanical movement, and that mesmerizes me. This just seems like the next step 😁
With some searching and a bit of luck, you can usually find a good one from eBay between $750 to $1,000.
 
ErichPryde
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ErichKeane ErichKeane
I both desperately want one, and also hope I can't find one at a reasonable price. BUT if the one @ErichPryde mentions above is still available, the former is going to win 😀 They are so neat looking, and I love the 'perpetual' mechanical clocks! I just finished repairing a Omega Rocket 095, which uses a 9v battery to wind a mechanical movement, and that mesmerizes me. This just seems like the next step 😁


REDACTED
 
Zman4eva
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IMG20250712154300.webp


I got mines this year for about $1k. I'm loving it. It runs a little fast but otherwise in perfect condition. I got mines from https://www.atmosclockrepairshop.com/

Highly recommended and quite a statement piece in the living room.
Edited:
 
padders
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I have the exact same model as the above. Mine runs better than within a minute a month. It’s a precision timepiece. I can’t recall the last time I adjusted it.
 
ErichKeane
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ErichPryde ErichPryde
There was one for sale on this forum in Portland, from user @Vercingetorix. May want to reach out and see if it is still available if you have interest? I considered it, they're cool.


https://omegaforums.net/threads/jaeger-lecoultre-atmos-clock.181595/ Cover Image
Thread 'Jaeger LeCoultre Atmos Clock' ·
Thrift store find. I simply have too many at this point in time. Clock is in good shape, better than some of mine, but has an engraving on the back. Clock has been running for the last month...
SOLD
$ 400 USD
Vercingetorix ·
This one managed to come home with me! I haven't set it up yet (or even unpackaged it!), but will when the kids go down for a nap. @Vercingetorix is a really nice guy who apparently has a good number of these, so a bit of a local enthusiast in the PDX area!
 
ErichKeane
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The little one went down for a nap, so I took a few minutes to set this up! It chugged along for quite a few minutes before I figured out I set it incorrectly😀 so I've since fixed that and let it get going.

I'm straight thrilled! Its prettier than I thought it would be(and I didn't unpackage it when I bought it so a bit cat in the bag 😀).

PXL_20250713_234110937.webp PXL_20250713_234117185.webp PXL_20250713_234543268.webp
 
JimInOz
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ErichKeane ErichKeane
the kids
and

ErichKeane ErichKeane
set this up!

Kids will be attracted to that clock like moths to a flame (and I can't blame them).

You will need to set it on a block of marble (or solid concrete) at least 3 feet square at the top and at least six inches above your oldest explorers hand height.

😉
 
vintage hab
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Wryfox Wryfox
Our model is actually quite rare(Model 5903 w/528-6 movement). It is larger and heavier than the std model. The only downside is the lift off case vs the front door version used in the other 99% of Atmos clocks.
I've been looking at these clocks, and it seems that most have the lift-off case. I've read that hinged or sliding doors are mostly found on certain higher-end or limited edition models. Is this correct?
 
gatorcpa
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vintage hab vintage hab
I've read that hinged or sliding doors are mostly found on certain higher-end or limited edition models. Is this correct?
Not necessarily. Some models have removable front glass. Other models have different doors.

There are so many different models now.
gatorcpa
 
Wryfox
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vintage hab vintage hab
I've been looking at these clocks, and it seems that most have the lift-off case. I've read that hinged or sliding doors are mostly found on certain higher-end or limited edition models. Is this correct?

It's the evolution of models primarily. Early on, the lift off case was convenient from a design standpoint but a pain in the butt for owners. The front open door came later and was far more useful. Not as many lift off models were made compared to the later front door models. The current model is front door access.

As to why you see so many from that era, and I assume you are in the US, is the buying power of swiss products was far greater in the 1950s and 60s but has dropped rapidly over the years, making Atmos clocks far more expensive in the recent decades, and therefore fewer newer models purchased.

They are about $11k today. But back in the 50s they were about $2200 (both numbers in 2025 dollars)
Edited:
 
gatorcpa
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Wryfox Wryfox
They are about $11k today. But back in the 50s they were about $2200 (both numbers in 2025 dollars)
Atmos selling prices in the 1950's were around $150 in the US, so the $2,200 figure is not far off if you look only at the CPI.

However, you are forgetting that it took 4 Swiss francs to buy $1 US in the 1950's. Now the franc is about $1.25 each.

$1.25/$0.25 = 5. What is 5 X $2,200? I think it's $11,000.

So the 2025 price including both inflation (which affects both currencies) and the depreciation of the US dollar (which affects only one), is pretty much exactly what I would expect.
gatorcpa
 
UncleBuck
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gatorcpa gatorcpa
pretty much exactly what I would expect.
gatorcpa
Which is why we follow your lead so often, my friend.
Grateful
 
Wryfox
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gatorcpa gatorcpa
Atmos selling prices in the 1950's were around $150 in the US, so the $2,200 figure is not far off if you look only at the CPI.

However, you are forgetting that it took 4 Swiss francs to buy $1 US in the 1950's. Now the franc is about $1.25 each.

$1.25/$0.25 = 5. What is 5 X $2,200? I think it's $11,000.

So the 2025 price including both inflation (which affects both currencies) and the depreciation of the US dollar (which affects only one), is pretty much exactly what I would expect.
gatorcpa


Not forgetting anything. You've calculated the same result as I have. It was actually about 5x francs per dollar from 1950s to today. And yes that was factored in.

Since inflation is approx the same for both it is irrelevant and only the exchange price change matters. 11,000/5 is 2,200 equiv as calculated. All other things being even, it was far cheaper in the 50s than today due to 5x higher buying power.
Edited:
 
UncleBuck
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Remarkable clocks but my Queen hates the color......."brassie, old strokes!"
 
padders
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Mine is a removable front door model in old man gold plate. The guy I got it from has a rather more fashionable rhodium plated version which I will at some point persuade him to sell as it is simply lovely though a tad more valuable. Mine had a new bellows and a full JLC service before I picked it up for a song. It is the fear of service cost that keeps the prices relatively low but if you find a good one with a working bellows you are laughing.
 
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