Jaeger-LeCoultre Cal.480/CW 14ct 1955

Jaeger-LeCoultre

Since the founding of Jaeger-LeCoultre in 1833, the company has had a very inventive history, developing over 1,249 mechanical calibres, registering 400+ patents and playing a tremendous role in the development of the industry as a whole. Whether it is the keyless pocket watch, calibre 101, or the iconic Reverso, 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 have bought in their 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 it for them. Furthermore, the exquisite Jaeger-LeCoultre Cal.920, is still in production and in use by both Vacheron Constantin and Audemars Piguet today.

Description

A beautiful Jaeger-LeCoultre gentleman’s hand-wound dress watch in 14ct yellow gold from 1955. As can be seen, the dial design is clean, simple and highly elegant and the Calibre P480/CW hand-wound movement within is very highly regarded for its accuracy and reliability, being one of the highest quality movements made by JLC at the time.

The simple, classic, understated and beautifully well-balanced dial is pure elegance and style. All in fact that Jaeger-LeCoultre has always represented. The dial is furnished with mixed hour indices and carries original unrestored ‘dauphine’ hands. The ivory-cream of the dial contrasts beautifully with the yellow gold case and hands.

The Dial

This is classic vintage dress watch dial design at its best. Simple, elegant, and just right. Something many contemporary watch dials fail to achieve. The ivory-cream dial carries mixed gilt ‘arrowhead’ hour indices and ‘3 – 6 – 9 – 12’ standard Arabic numerals all swept by the original ‘dauphine’ hands. This beautiful dial has the addition of a subsidiary seconds dial just above 6.

The dial is simply signed ‘LeCoultre’ at the very top of the dial along with ‘Swiss Made’ at the very bottom below 6.

This is the original dial which has been previously restored to a very high standard and remains in outstanding condition, as can be seen in the photographs.

The Movement

The watch is complete with its original ultra-high quality, 17 Jewel, Calibre P480/CW hand-wound movement. This is very highly regarded as one of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s finest calibres and was a cornerstone in its hand-wound movement development. 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 signed ‘LeCoultre Co’ and ‘Fab Suisse’ with the Calibre number P480/CW and the movement serial number 1059233, dating the year of manufacture to 1955.

The watch is now running perfectly having been calibrated and timed at +10 seconds per day which is outstanding for any watch of this age. The watch has a runtime of 42 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 Watch Case

The 14ct yellow gold watch case is a good size at 34mm diameter, excluding the correct unsigned crown. The case is of a superbly made two-piece design for increased dust and moisture protection and has a thin bezel and straight swept back lugs which add elegance and simplicity to the watch.

The case is in excellent condition, having received a very gentle and sympathetic clean and polish. The watch has obviously been very well cared and seen little use as there are no dings, scratches or other marks visible to the unaided eye.

On the inside of the case back is correctly signed with ‘Cased and Time in USA’, ‘LeCoultre’ along with the case reference number 727-722-103 and the case serial number 85947. On the exterior of the case back is signed ’14K Gold – D&A’

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

The Strap & Buckle

A high quality brown lizard strap has been fitted, along with a JLC gold plated buckle. 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 1955.

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 the original Jaeger-LeCoultre presentation box.

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.

In Conclusion

This is a simply wonderful vintage gold Jaeger-LeCoultre dress watch which is much more stylish than a modern equivalent. Even though it is almost 70 years old, it is still completely fresh, reliable and practical to wear as your everyday watch, should you wish. Most of all it is a thing of beauty – some may say a ‘work of art’ from one of the most prestigious names in Swiss watch-making. However you wish to view it, this time-piece will make an excellent investment and heirloom piece, as well as be something to treasure, use and enjoy. As each year goes by and the world market for vintage gold watches grows ever larger, the limited supply allied to high demand means prices will 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.