JAEGER LECOULTRE 14K Solid Gold Art Deco Gents Vintage Watch 1942 - STUNNING
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:35116999 | Department: Unisex Adult |
| Brand: Jaeger-LeCoultre | Gender: Men's |
| Style: Art Deco | Metal Purity: 14k |
| Caseback: Solid | Type: Wristwatch |
I have a passion for collecting beautiful vintage watches, particularly Art Deco watches from the 1930's/40's and have collected some fabulous timepieces over the years. This watch is among the most beautiful vintage Art Deco watches I have seen and it is in amazing overall condition. It is a 14 carat solid gold Art Deco style watch manufactured by Jaeger LeCoultre in 1942. Although originally manufactured for a gentleman, at a... time when watches were made much smaller than today, this watch will also be of interest to a lady looking for a vintage watch oozing with retro appeal. The case has beautiful extended curved lugs and the Art Deco textured two tone dial looks fabulous. The movement has just been oiled and adjusted by Richard my watchmaker so it is running well and keeping time. I have just fitted a new strap so this watch is ready to wear and enjoy. The watch is triple signed, on the case, dial and movement.Ihave been collecting vintage watches for some thirty years and selling them asan enjoyable lifestyle occupation since 2003. I have consistently receivedexcellent feedback and many repeat buyers. Customer satisfaction is veryimportant to me so if you do have any problems please get in touch. I will always do my best to help. I oftenassist customers who ask for my help several years after they have purchased awatch from me; so once you have bought a watch, you will remain an importantcustomer. You can email me to ask any questions.Please scroll right down to see more photographs and details.
Dial: two tone textured finish, in excellent condition and signed "LeCoultre". Gold coloured pyramid dots and an Arabic 12 mark the hours and a subsidiary seconds dial is located just above the six o'clock position. The hands are in good shape and the tablet crystal is clean and clear. The dial has just been returned from professional restoration to a very high standard, bringing it faithfully back to as it looked when new.Case: 14 carat solid gold in great condition, measuring approximately 24 mm across at the widest point and 37 mm in overall length. The outside and inside of the case are hallmarked as 14K gold and the inside signed "LeCoultre". The case shows the expected signs of careful and probably infrequent use over 78 years but no dents or scratches of any significance that I could see to point out to you.Movement: freshly oiled nd djusted high end Swiss 17 jewel movement, signed “Le Coultre Co”. The serial number of the movement dates the watch to 1942.Strap: fitted with a new brown crocodile grain leather strap, which attached to the watch measures approximately 211 mm from buckle tip to last hole.
JaegerLeCoultre Watch Co. HistoryIam sometimes asked why some Jaeger LeCoultre watches are signed LeCoultre. Thishas much to do with the complex United States duty regulations that made it morecost effective to import Jaeger LeCoultre movements, dials, crowns and handsinto the USA from Switzerland and for the cases to be manufactured in theStates. In the 1950’s the Longines Wittnauer group was the distributor ofLeCoultre watches and Vacheron & Constantin watches sold in North America.The Longines Wittnauer group did not manufacture Jaeger LeCoultre watches assome people mistakenly believe, the movements were produced in the Swiss JaegerLeCoultre factory at Le Sentier and were identical in every way to movementsdistributed within Europe other than the LeCoultre markings on the watch. Thecases were manufactured under licence in the United States and were marked"Cased and Timed in the USA by LeCoultre". In approximately 1985 the brand name"Jaeger LeCoultre" was adopted worldwide.Somepeople believe that because LeCoultre movements are signed "VXN" on the bridge(denoting Vacheron & Constantin), they were manufactured by Vacheron &Constantin. This is incorrect. Jaeger LeCoultre supplied movements to Vacheron& Constantin, which were used in their watches but not vice versa. The onlycollaboration that ever took place between these two prestigious watchmakers wasthe "Galaxy" diamond dial model. The Galaxy was marketed by both companies; withthe case marked "Vacheron & Constantin - LeCoultre Inc." and the dial signed"LeCoultre". Amore comprehensive explanation of these often mis-understood issues is providedin the excellent text book “Jaeger LeCoultre a Guide for the Collector” by ZafBasha. Forthose who are interested in the history of famous watchmakers, the JaegerLeCoultre watch company is one of the oldest Swiss watchmakers. AntoineLeCoultre opened a small factory in Le Sentier in 1833 where current factoryremains. LeCoultre quickly built a reputation for quality and precision, so muchso that he became the leading supplier of movements to the watch making industryin Switzerland. In 1925 Antoine’s grandson, David, merged the company with thatof Edmond Jaeger, which is when the current day company, Jaeger LeCoultre cameinto existence. It is one of the few Swiss companies still producing its ownmovements, cases, dials and bracelets. This gives the company total control overthe quality and precision of its watches and is a contributory factor for itbeing one of the small number of elite watchmakers with a world wide reputationfor quality and precision. Jaeger LeCoultre has been one of the most innovativewatchmakers in the world, having produced a number of revolutionary inventionsincluding the Atmos “Perpetual Motion Clock” (which operates by changes in airpressure) and the creation of the world’s smallest mechanical movement whichweighed less than one gram. Termsof Sale I pack my watches verywell to avoid damage but very occasionally a problem may occur due to roughtreatment in transit or the use of scanning equipment by Customs or the postalservices which can magnetise the watch mechanism. I warrant that the watch youpurchase will, when you receive it, be as described in the listing. If there isa problem when you receive your purchase I provide a no quibble full refundoption. Alternatively I will undertake any repairs that are necessary if thewatch is damaged or if in any other way differs significantly from thedescription. If I have not stated that the watch has been serviced, you maywish to have this work done, particularly if you intend to wear the watch on adaily basis. On request, I can provide you with details of independentwatchmakers to whom you can send your watch forservicing. I provide comprehensivedetails of my watches, including very clear photographs taken with a highresolution macro lens which shows detail not visible to the naked eye. I alsoinvite you to ask questions if there is anything else you need to know. Pleasetake care to consider the dimensions of the watch case as if it is a gentlemans’Art Deco rectangular vintage watch, they were made significantly smaller thancontemporary watches. Youare buying a used watch so there will be signs of use. Please do not expect quartz accuracy from avintage watch. In the 1940’s/1950’s theaccepted timekeeping tolerance for a new 17 jewel manual watch was within threeminutes a day. All of my watches areprofessionally inspected and tested before sale and if they are not runningsmoothly and keeping reasonable time I have them serviced and/ or have any otherwork undertaken that is needed to ensure the watch is in running condition. However please bear in mind that a fault can develop unexpectedly at any time aswith any used item so I am unable to provide any on-going warranty. Please alsonote that I provide no guarantee that my watches are waterproof. I would alwaysstrongly recommend keeping any vintage well away from moisture.Listing and template services provided by inkFrog
