Jaeger-LeCoultre
Jaeger-LeCoultre, in addition to producing movements for its own watches, has also produced movements for many other famous watch houses, such as Cartier, Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet and IWC. In the early part of the 20th Century, Jaeger-LeCoultre even supplied movements to the great firm of Patek Philippe. Then as now, Jaeger-LeCoultre has always been considered one of the very finest Swiss watchmakers.
Description
In addition to producing some of the very finest Swiss movements, Jaeger-LeCoutre is certainly among the most inventive and avant-garde watchmakers in terms of watch design. Throughout its history, it has managed to create distinctive original designs from every period. There are countless examples of this from the earliest Duoplan and Reverso watches of the 1930s through to the Memovox and Triple Calendar Moonphase watches of the 1950s, each of which continues in production to this very day. Its technical superiority in making very small movements for women’s watches also allowed Jaeger-LeCoultre to develop collaborations and to supply other famous brands and French jewellers such as Hermès, Cartier, and Chopard.
Hermès, historically, has a long relationship with Jaeger-LeCoultre dating back to the beginning of the 1900s and they continued to produce co-branded pieces all the way up through the 1970s. Here is such an example in the Etrier model. The French term ‘Etrier’ means horse stirrup irons which can be seen in the shape of the lugs. The Italians gave it the name ‘Luchetto’ associating this particular shape with that of a padlock. The design obviously recalls the shape of the Hermes ‘H’ design.
Here we have a rare and iconic example of the ladies Jaeger-LeCoultre ‘Luchetto’ dress watch in 18ct from 1965. This trendsetting and iconic design was produced from around the mid-1950s until the mid-1970s, and is yet another example of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s creativity in watch design.
The Dial
The beautiful ivory cream dial is very clean and simple. The thin gold ‘Index’ hands and ‘Baton’ hour indices make this watch much more easily read than many ladies cocktail watches of a similar size.
The dial is signed ‘Jaeger-LeCoultre’ with ‘Swiss Made’ at the very bottom below ‘6’. The lens is fresh and clear having been replaced as part of the watch restoration.
This is the original dial which has been restored to very highest standards by our dial restorers who are considered to be the best in the UK.
The Watch Case
As discussed above, this watch was designed and produced by Jaeger-LeCoultre for Hermes. The ladies size Etrier ‘Luchetto’ case in 18ct yellow gold measures 23mm across and 15mm tall excluding the original Jaeger-LeCoultre crown. The Etrier Luchetto stirrup lugs lengthen the watch to 35mm overall.
The design contrasts the rounded horse stirrup-shaped lugs and the harder edges of the rectangular case and this adds to its character. The design also contributes overall to an impressive look which presents the watch beautifully on the wrist.
This watch has very well cared for and very lightly used and after careful cleaning and inspection, the watch case has simply required some gentle hand-polishing to return it to its now tip-top condition.
Inside the case-back carries the case reference number 1670, along with 18ct hallmarks and the case also carries an external reference number 1031221. The case-back is of full thickness and has never been engraved.
Please note, vintage watches are almost never waterproof, so as ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.
The Movement
Jaeger-LeCoultre movements are rightly held in very high regard for their accuracy and reliability and this watch carries its original, very high quality Jaeger-LeCoultre Cal.K840, 17 Jewel hand-wound movement which as can be seen, is in spectacularly clean condition.
The movement is signed ‘Jaeger-LeCoultre’, ‘Fab Suisse’ and ‘Swiss’, along with the Calibre number K840 and the serial number 1,735,491 which dates this watch to 1965.
The movement has been fully overhauled and serviced and is in beautiful condition. It is running strongly and remaining accurate within expected parameters for a watch movement of this age and size. The watch also has a runtime of 40 hours when fully wound. We are therefore very happy to offer this watch with our 12 month warranty on the movement*.
*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.
The Strap & Buckle
The strap fitted is a new high quality black leather strap and gold-plated buckle. We feel the strap suits the watch nicely, however, if you wish to dress up the watch with a different colour or style of strap, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige free of charge. We carry a number of colours in stock, 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 12mm straps on their website if you wish and we will order your choice for you.
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 1965.
Detailed particulars will be included with the receipt, along with our 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”.
The high quality hardwood presentation box shown in the photographs is included.
As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no quibble sale or return policy.
In Conclusion
This is an iconic and totally original vintage watch and even though it is now nearly 60 years old, it is still completely fresh, reliable and practical to wear as a daily watch. It is an item of beauty, from one of the most prestigious names in Swiss watchmaking and a superb example of 1960s contemporary watch design in superb fully restored condition.
If treated with care, this watch will remain a simply wonderful timepiece, to use, wear, treasure and enjoy, providing excellent reliability as well as a sound financial investment – as long-lasting as the watch itself. As each year goes by and the world market for vintage gold Jaeger-LeCoultre watches grows, limited supply and high demand from around the world will mean prices will inevitably climb ever higher!
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 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.
Please note, we also welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or a small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.
We will also be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.
If you have any questions please call 0207 727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.
We await your call.
Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.
Thank you.
Andrew M via feefo 
3rd December 2024 
JLC1891 
