Jaeger-LeCoultre Bumper Automatic Cal.P812 14ct 1957

Jaeger-LeCoultre

Perhaps the most interesting, creative and adventurous of all the major high-end watchmakers, Jaeger-LeCoultre, founded in 1833, has had an incredibly inventive history, developing over 1,250 mechanical calibres, registering over 400 Patents and playing a tremendous role in the development of the industry as a whole. Whether it is the keyless watch, Calibre 101, the iconic Reverso or the Memovox alarm, it would be difficult to imagine a historical account of watchmaking without the mention of Jaeger-LeCoultre. The company has always been a true ‘Manufacturer’ of the finest quality watch movements. This is unusual because more often than not, high-end brands such as Rolex, Patek Phillippe, Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin would often 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

A simply stunning, fully original, unrestored and untouched Jaeger-LeCoultre gentleman’s bumper automatic dress watch in 14ct yellow gold from 1957. As can be seen, the dial design is highly elegant and typically from the 1950s with beautiful hour indices and a subsidiary seconds dial. Its Calibre P812 bumper movement is very highly regarded for its accuracy and reliability, being one of the highest quality automatic movements made by JLC at the time. This was on par with the very best available from any Swiss manufacturer. This incredible watch also carries lyre lugs which give the watch an extra special look and feel when on the wrist.

The Dial

This wonderful dial is original, unrestored and untouched and considering the age of the watch, is also in really incredible condition. The dial carries some beautiful, even signs of ageing in the gentle fading, spotting and pitting. Therefore, due to its relatively good condition and for reasons of retaining the character and the originality of the watch, we have left it completely alone.

The outstanding dial carries the original gilt ‘spearhead’ hour indices which are swept by the original gilt ‘dauphine’ hands all completed by the subsidiary seconds dial at 6 and an inner gold circle, all of which make this watch very easy to read when on the wrist.

This dial is correctly and simply signed with ‘LeCoultre’ and ‘Automatic’ at the very top of the dial below 12.

As this dial is in original, unrestored condition, this has been left untouched by our restoration team due to its superb condition. Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however we decided in this case to leave it alone, due to its unusually good condition and to retain its originality and charm for those who prefer this. It also helps to contrast with almost all of the other watch dials you see on our website, which have been restored. The hands, likewise, have also been left in their original untouched condition.

Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you’re seeing may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the naked eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray.

The Movement

Jaeger-LeCoultre movements are amongst the highest quality and top tier of most highly regarded Swiss watch manufacturers. The movement used in this watch is the Jaeger LeCoultre calibre P812, introduced in 1955, which is a superb 17 jewel example of a classic ‘bumper’ automatic. A bumper self-winding movement is wound by means of an oscillating rotor that travels through a 180 degree arc, being arrested by buffer springs that then bounce the rotor back in its original direction. The bounce can just be felt if one rotates the watch slowly from side to side, but in normal use, one is seldom conscious of its ‘pulse’. Indeed it is quite an endearing character of the vintage watch.

This is the original movement, which as can be seen, is in sparkling condition having just been fully overhauled and serviced by our Master Watchmaker. This involves complete disassembly of the entire watch movement, close inspection of all critical parts under high magnification and then replacement where necessary, using only original manufacturer parts. The following stage is lubrication using individually specified lubricants for differing parts of the movement and careful re-assembly before regulating / timing. The watch winds and sets smoothly and is currently keeping accurate time, consistently, to within 8 seconds per day! This is outstanding for any vintage watch of this age. We therefore we have no hesitation in offering this watch with our 12 months warranty*.

This movement is signed ‘Le Coultre Co’ ‘Seventeen 17 Jewels’ and P812. The movement number Serial Number is 1278119 which dates the watch to 1957.

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

The Case

This large sized 34mm watch case is of exceedingly high quality, being constructed in two pieces with a screw down case-back which closes perfectly,  indicating a good fit. This watch case also carries lyre lugs, they give the watch a beautiful presence on the wrist. The watch case is in incredible condition with no signs of wear visible to the naked eye. The case-back is of full thickness and has never been inscribed.

The inside of the case back is correctly signed ‘Case and Timed in USA by LeCoultre’ along with the case serial number 970-586 and 85787. Externally the case-back is signed ’14K Gold – D&A’.

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

The Strap & Buckle

A high quality blue crocodile strap and a JLC yellow 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 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 1957.

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 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.

This watch comes complete with a Jaeger-LeCoultre presentation box along with an original JLC booklet.

Payment and Delivery

If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this. 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 who happen to visit London 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 hand your watch directly to you there.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.

This is a truly first class example of a vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre which is ready to wear and completely practical for everyday use. If treated with care, it will make an excellent investment or heirloom piece. Even though vintage gold Jaeger-LeCoultre prices have risen markedly recently, we still feel good examples such as this are still undervalued and as each year goes by and the world market for vintage gold Jaeger-LeCoultre watches continues to expand, prices will continue to 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.

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 us on 020 7727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.

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

Thank you.