THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: JAEGER LECOULTRE
YEAR: 1959
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 35mm
CASE MATERIAL: 9CT YELLOW GOLD
BRACELET MATERIAL: LEATHER
MOVEMENT: AUTOMATIC

Known as the “watchmaker of watchmakers,” Jaeger-LeCoultre has been one of the most respected Swiss manufacturers for nearly 200 years. Renowned for supplying movements and components to many of the top Swiss brands—including Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Cartier—Jaeger-LeCoultre has also produced some remarkable watches in its own right. Yet, for reasons unbeknownst to us, JLC has never garnered the same level of “hype” as some of its peers, despite its elegant designs and undeniable quality. The upside, however, is that many stunning JLC watches can still be acquired at very reasonable prices.

The present example dates to 1959 and features a handsome 35mm 9ct yellow gold case— large for its time. It is powered by JLC’s E329 bumper movement and boasts a beautiful crosshair dial with a subsidiary seconds register at 6 o’clock and a date window at 3 o’clock. Remarkably, the watch has been kept in incredible condition after nearly seven decades, showing only light marks throughout. The dial has minor blemishes, common for its age, while the original lume plots remain fully intact, having aged to a warm, dark creamy tone.

The movement is running impressively well at 0 s/d, 320 amplitude, with a 0.2 ms beat error. We’ve paired it with a set of beautiful black leather straps from our friends at The Strap Tailor, complete with the original gold buckle. Vintage JLCs continue to represent some of the best value in the vintage watch world—this is another example.