Jaeger-LeCoultre 18ct 1962

Description

It is little 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. In the early part of the 20th Century, Jaeger-LeCoultre even supplied bare movements to the great firm of Patek Philippe. Then as now, Jaeger-LeCoultre was considered one of the finest watchmakers in Switzerland.

Here we have a very stylish example of an 18ct Yellow Gold Jaeger-LeCoultre dress watch from 1962. The watch is in superb all round original condition and as can be seen, the movement is looking spectacular, having been fully restored and serviced by our watchmaker.

Note – although this watch was marketed as a gentleman’s watch when new, it is quite a small watch by modern day standards, and so will be best suited for someone with smaller wrists. Given the trend for ladies to wear larger watches these days, this watch is also suitable for a lady, particularly as it is very thin.

The Dial

The beautifully restored pure White dial is pure style and elegance. The design is very clean and simple and the thin ‘Index’ hands in yellow gold match the applied thin Baton hour indices, also in yellow gold.

The dial is signed Jaeger-LeCoultre at 3 and Swiss Made at the very bottom of the dial below 6.  The lens is clear having been newly replaced.

This is the original dial which has been restored to the very highest standards by the best dial restorers in the UK.

The Watch Case

This watch has a particularly attractive, very high quality 18ct yellow gold case with an unusual, distinctive flat bezel which is integral to the two-piece case design.

This watch case is in immaculate condition, showing it has been very well cared for and indicating the watch has seen very little use. After thorough immersive cleaning, it has been carefully inspected and has simply required a gentle light hand polishing to return it to its current tip-top condition.

The case carries the case serial number 837305 on the outside of the case-back and the Jaeger-LeCoultre signature and Swiss 18ct hallmarks on the inside.

Please note, vintage watches should not be assumed to be waterproof and should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Movement

The watch carries its all original very high quality Jaeger-LeCoultre Cal.819-C, 17 jewel hand-wound movement, which as can be seen is in spectacular condition. Jaeger-LeCoultre movements are among the very best and quite rightly held in very high regard among both collectors and watchmakers. It is signed Jaeger-LeCoultre and ‘Fab Suisse’ and Swiss, along with the serial number 1,500,461 which dates this watch to 1962. It has just been serviced and it is in beautiful condition. It is also running strongly and keeping accurate time, within +15 seconds per day, which is well within expected parameters. The watch has a runtime of 40 hours from its fully wound state which shows the movement is particularly strong running and again, well within expected parameters. We are therefore more than happy to offer this watch with our 12 months warranty on the movement*.

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

The Strap & Buckle

A new high quality Brown padded Italian Lizard strap with a gold plated buckle has been fitted which we feel matches the watch perfectly. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please do 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, however we can also obtain most types and colours from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their huge range of 16mm straps if you wish here.

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 1962. Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will 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 a charming and totally original watch and even though it is around 55 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 a classic 1960s vintage hand wound watch from one of horology’s most famous names, 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 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 on our Landline 0207 727 7095 or Mobile 07515 949250 or if calling from overseas, on Landline +44 207 727 7095 or Mobile +44 7515 949250.

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

Thank you.