Description
It is becoming popular again for watch manufacturers to include a ‘Power Reserve Indicator’** on some of their more sophisticated automatic watches and fantastically useful they are too, in allowing one to know when a watch is running low on power. This helps avoid unnecessary winding of a watch, simply because one feels it may be running low on power. Conversely, it also encourages one to wind the watch when it is running out of power, avoiding the watch stopping and losing track of time. Note – automatic movements help to maintain the performance of a watch because a movement is generally better at maintaining its accuracy when it is fully wound, or at least two thirds fully wound.
**A Power Reserve Indicator (originally called Réserve de Marche), is a ‘complication’ of a watch, designed to show the amount of remaining stored energy has left. The power reserve indicator indicates the power contained in the mainspring at any particular moment and is one of the most useful mechanical watch complications.
Introduced in late 1948, the Calibre 481 evolved from the very first automatic movement from Jaeger-LeCoultre, the JLC Calibre 476. Like the Cal. 476, the Cal. 481 features a bumper winding mechanism, meaning the rotor bounces between springs in an arc of around 270 degrees. The JLC Cal. 481 was the first watch from Jaeger-LeCoultre with a power reserve meter and although the movement has been considerably updated, the product line has continued today, along with the names Powermatic and Reserve De Marche.
Here we have a beautifully preserved and lightly used 1956 vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre Powermatic Cal.481 in 18ct pink gold. Solid Pink Gold Powermatics are rare, as few were made in solid gold and even fewer in pink gold. This watch has been fully restored by ourselves to the very highest standards and as can be seen from the photographs, it is in totally immaculate condition.
Even though is this one of the earliest Jaeger-LeCoultre automatic watches, it is an exceedingly accurate and highly reliable timepiece, which is perfectly useable and practical today.
The Dial
We think Jaeger-LeCoultre, along with Longines, have made some of the most beautiful watch dials. They are characterised by simple effortless elegance which somehow looks, just right.
The Powermatic dial has a ‘Power Reserve indicator’ which reads ’40’ on a white background when it is fully wound or ‘charged’, indicating the watch’s 40hr power reserve. As this runs down, the meter not only continues to indicate the reducing power level or ‘charge’, but the background changes to red as the charge falls below 10 hours. This information was perhaps more important in the early days of automatic watches, as other early examples produced by other manufacturers were unreliable and did not have such a large power reserve. However, this is a very useful feature to have, even today.
This beautiful ivory cream dial carries ‘art-deco’ numerals which are matched with the original restored ‘Index’ hands. The dial is signed ‘Jaeger-LeCoultre’ and ‘Automatic’ with ‘Swiss’ at the very bottom of the dial below the ‘6’.
The lens is a new original as this has been replaced as part of the restoration of the watch.
This is the original dial which has been restored to the highest possible standards by the best dial restorers in the U.K.
The Movement
The watch carries its original Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 481, 17 Jewel bumper automatic movement, which is in tip-top condition following a thorough overhaul and service by our vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre specialist watchmaker. This means the movement has been completely disassembled, cleaned, inspected and rebuilt using only original parts where required before careful calibration and testing. Upon return to stock, the watch is now running to within +11 seconds per day, which is outstanding for any vintage watch of this age! When fully wound, this movement has a 40 hour power reserve. It has been very well maintained and cared for and as can be seen, the movement is in sparkling condition.
The movement is signed ‘Jaeger-LeCoultre’ ‘Automatic’ with the Calibre No. 481, along with ’17 Jewels’, ‘Swiss’ and the movement serial number 1,181,050. This serial number dates this watch to 1956.
These movements are strong, accurate and very reliable, making it completely practical and appropriate for regular everyday use. Our watchmaker has indicated this particular movement is in tip-top condition and with regular servicing, say every 3 years or so, we fully expect this watch to run very happily for many more decades to come! We are therefore very pleased to offer a 12-month warranty on this watch movement*. Along with servicing in the future, as required.
*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the full list price is paid.
The Watch Case
Solid gold Jaeger-LeCoultre Powermatics are rare, as for some reason most were made with rolled gold cases which are effectively steel with a thicker gold plate. 18ct pink gold Powermatics are exceedingly rare. Particularly as here, in the larger sized 35mm diameter case, excluding the correct JLC crown.
The watch case is in immaculate condition with no scratches, dings or damage visible to the naked eye. As this is a french-made case it does not carry the Jaeger-LeCoultre signature, as was normal for the time. The case carries the external case serial number 133111 and 18ct hallmarks
Please note – our standard advice applies: Vintage Watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.
The Strap and Buckle
The watch is fitted with a new burgundy Alligator grain strap and a rare pink gold-plated JLC 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 burgundy and black straps in stock, in plain padded leather, alligator, crocodile or lizard skin.
The Box and Papers
Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating the watch to 1956.
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”.
The watch also comes complete with a good quality hardwood presentation box, as shown.
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 watch and one which we are very proud to offer here in completely immaculate condition. It is many more times more stylish than a modern equivalent watch and even though over 70 years old, it is still completely fresh, reliable and practical to wear as an everyday watch, should you wish to do so. However you may view it, this timepiece will make an excellent investment and heirloom piece, as well as be something to treasure 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 inevitably climb ever higher!
A word about our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring these 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 inevitably means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are a number of well known stores in West London which are very 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 wish to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to pass on a 3% transaction saving to you. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or International 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 welcome part exchanges and if you have a watch or small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.
We will be happy to Service, Repair 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.
We will be happy to answer any questions and offer advice about this or any of our watches listed for sale. If you would like some general advice regarding any aspect of vintage watches, including buying, selling, or collecting, we will also be very happy to hear from you. We await your call!
Finally, please enjoy some time spent viewing our other fine Vintage Gold Watches!
Thank you.
Andrew M via feefo 
3rd December 2024 
JLC1891 
