Jaeger-LeCoultre Club, Cal.1900 18ct 1970

Jaeger-LeCoultre

Since its founding in 1833, Jaeger-LeCoultre has had a highly inventive history, developing over 1,249 mechanical calibres, registering over 400 Patents and playing a tremendous role in the development of the industry as a whole. Whether it is the world’s first keyless watch, its Calibre 101, the Futurematic, the Memovox or the iconic Reverso, it would be difficult to imagine a historical account of watchmaking without the mention of Jaeger-LeCoultre.

It is not commonly known that Jaeger-LeCoultre, in addition to producing movements for its own watches, has also produced movements for a number of famous watch houses such as Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, and IWC. Indeed for most of the 20th Century, Jaeger-LeCoultre even supplied bare movements to the great firm of Patek Philippe. The company has always been a true ‘Manufacturer’ of the finest quality watch movements. Indeed Jaeger-LeCoultre has always manufactured its movements inhouse. This is unusual because very often, high-end brands such as Rolex, Patek Phillippe, Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin would buy in movements for particular needs. For example, in 1967 when Patek Phillippe, Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin needed an ultra-thin automatic movement, it was to Jaeger-LeCoultre they turned, to produce one for them. Furthermore, the exquisite Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 920, is still in production and in use today by both Vacheron Constantin and Audemars Piguet.

Description

Here we have a rarely seen example of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Club, 18ct gold dress watch from 1970 with a good size 31mm x 31mm case and a rare chocolate brown dial. The dial is original, unrestored and untouched.  This watch also has a very highly regarded Cal.1900, 17 Jewel hand-wound movement which is in tip-top condition. These movements are very accurate and reliable, making the perfect watch for special occasions or with some care, everyday use, as you wish.

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Club model range was only produced for 4 or 5 years during the early 1970s and these rare watches are now becoming quite collectable and sought after. This is an especially rare example with a ‘TV’ case and rare dial.

As with all of our watches, this watch is in fully restored condition and will be sold with our 12 months warranty, our Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee and 14 days sale or return policy.

Note: This watch would make an excellent 50th birthday present!

The Watch Case

The 18ct yellow gold watch case measures 31mm x 31mm, excluding the signed JLC crown. This is larger than this initially may seem, as this TV style case actually measures 38mm corner to corner.

The case is of a superb two-piece design for increased dust and moisture protection. It has a thin bezel and straight swept-back lugs which adds elegance and simplicity to the watch and is in excellent condition, having received a very gentle and sympathetic clean and polish. The watch has obviously been very well cared for as there are no dings, scratches or marks visible to the naked eye.

Inside the case-back, all is correctly signed ‘LeCoultre Co.’ and ‘Swiss’ with Swiss 18ct hallmarks. On the outside of the case, the serial number 1151552 and the case reference number 200601 are shown which date this watch to 1970. The external case numbers are clear, indicating the watch case has not been over-polished. Also, importantly, the case-back is of full thickness and has never been engraved.

As always, our standard advice applies: vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Dial

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Club dial is elegance and style personified. It, in fact, evokes its Club name, ie classy, sophisticated, and exclusive.

The chocolate brown dial is very simply furnished with applied yellow gold ‘baton’ hour indices matched by the original yellow gold ‘Index’ hands.

The dial is original, unrestored and untouched and it is in extraordinarily good condition. Even under close examination, there is no fading, spotting, staining or other signs of ageing.

The dial carries the JL brand and is simply signed ‘Jaeger-LeCoultre’, ‘Club’ with ‘Swiss Made’ at the very bottom of the dial. The lens is new, having been replaced with the correct original part, as part of the restoration.

The Movement

The Jaeger-LeCoultre 17 Jewelled, Calibre 1900 hand-wound movement is in sparkling condition and has obviously been properly maintained.

These movements are particularly well regarded for their reliability and accuracy, making this watch quite suitable for everyday use.

The movement has been fully overhauled and serviced by our watchmaker. This involves completely dismantling the movement to each of its component parts, ultrasonic cleaning, microscope inspection and replacement of parts as required, only with new JLC originals, then careful assembly and oiling ready for final testing and careful calibration.

The movement is correctly signed ‘LeCoultre’ and ‘Seventeen Jewels’ with the calibre number 1900.

The watch is now running perfectly having been calibrated and timed at +3 seconds per day which is outstanding for any watch of this age. The watch has a runtime of 39 hours from its fully wound state which shows the movement is particularly strong and running and well within expected parameters. It is now ready for many more decades of faithful service and we are therefore more than happy to offer this watch with our 12 months’ warranty and assist with servicing again in around three years time.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.

The Strap & Buckle

A new, high-quality olive green crocodile strap has been fitted along with a plain gold plated buckle, which we feel suits the watch wonderfully. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown and black in stock in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin, but can also obtain most types and colours from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their huge range of 19mm straps if you wish.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to 1970.

Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt and 12 months warranty*. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will also be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than totally authentic, or not as described, Vintage Gold Watches of London will offer you a full refund at any time”. As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no quibble sale or return policy.

The original Jaeger-LeCoultre presentation box shown in the photographs is included in the sale.

In Conclusion

We are great admirers of vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre and this is exactly the kind of rare example we love to find, restore and offer to you for sale. It is many more times more stylish than the modern equivalent watch and even though it is now 50 years old, it is still completely fresh, reliable and practical to wear as your everyday watch, should you wish. But mostly, it is a thing of beauty, some would say, a piece of art from one of the most prestigious names in Swiss watchmaking.

Should you wish to view it this way, it is also an excellent investment and heirloom piece and as each year goes by and the world market for vintage gold watches grows ever greater, limited supply and high demand from the Far East, means prices will climb ever higher!

This is a beautiful example of a classic vintage watch from one of horology’s most famous names and if treated with care, will remain an excellent investment as well as something to use, wear, treasure and enjoy. It will provide excellent reliability as well as a sound financial investment, as long-lasting as the watch itself.

Please note – vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring them to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post-sales customer care and service. This approach means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well-known stores in West London which are highly successful charging between two to three times the price you see here. We therefore consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.

We are happy to accept PayPal as this is the quickest method of payment. However, if you would like to pay by UK cheque or by UK bank transfer we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and unfortunately out of our control.

We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges, however attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.

For those that happen to visit the UK on occasion we are of course more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and your watch directly to you there.

If you have any questions please call 0207 727 7095 or if calling from overseas, +44 207 727 7095.

Please note, we welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss.

We will also be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.

Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.

Thank you.