Jaeger-LeCoultre Automatic Date Cal.P813 18ct 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 wonderful previously restored Jaeger-LeCoultre automatic dress watch with a stunning Blue starburst dial in outstanding condition. The large 35mm 18ct screw-back watch case is pristine, as is the Jaeger-LeCoultre bumper automatic movement. Each is of the very highest quality.

The Dial

The simply stunning Blue starburst, cross-hair dial catches the light wonderfully and contrasts beautifully against the 18ct yellow gold case. The dial carries gilt ‘pencil’ hour indices which are swept beautifully by the original Dauphine hands.  Above ‘6’ we have a crosshair subsidiary seconds dial and at ‘3’ a roulette date wheel. This is so called because the date changes from black to white on each date change, which is demonstrated in the photographs.

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

This dial has been previously restored to a very high standard and remains in incredible condition.

The Movement

Jaeger-LeCoultre movements are amongst the highest quality and are in the top tier of most highly regarded Swiss manufacturers. The movement here in this watch is the Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre P813, introduced in 1956, which is a superb 17 jewel example of a classic ‘bumper’ automatic movement. A ‘bumper’ self-winding movement is wound by means of a rotor which travels through a 180-degree arc, being arrested by buffer springs that then bounce the rotor gently backwards and forwards. This can be felt if one rotates the watch slowly from side to side, but in normal use, after one becomes accustomed to this, one is seldom conscious of the movement’s ‘pulse’. Indeed it is quite an endearing quality 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 next stage is lubrication using individually specified lubricants for differing parts of the mvement and careful re-assembly before regulating / timing. The watch winds and sets smoothly and is currently keeping accurate time, consistently, to within +7 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 ‘Jaeger-LeCoultre’, ‘Fab Suisse’ and P813 and the Serial Number is 1,256,273, dating the watch to 1957.

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

The Case

The large 35mm, 18ct yellow gold watch case is noticeably heavy and of exceedingly high quality, being solidly constructed in two pieces with a heavy screw-down case-back. Due to the sophisticated case construction with multiple edges and elegant acute profile, the watch sits beautifully on the wrist and looks every bit the quality piece it is. The watch case is in incredible condition with no scratches, dings or other signs of wear, visible to the naked eye. 

Although this watch may have been marketed as waterproof when new and even though the rubber seals have been replaced, this has not been tested and it is not guaranteed.

The inside of the case is correctly stamped with the correct Swiss 18ct Hallmarks. Externally the case carries the case serial number A733130.

As ever, 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, high quality Navy Blue Crocodile strap and gold plated buckle, which we feel matches the watch perfectly.  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, but if something different is preferred, we will do our best to assist.

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.

Payment and Delivery

If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. Paying by bank transfer for a 3% saving will not affect your 12 months warranty. 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 which we are very proud to offer here for sale in ‘almost new’ condition. It is many times more stylish than a modern equivalent watch and even though it is over 60 years old, it is still contemporary, completely fresh, reliable, and practical to wear as your everyday watch. Most of all it is a thing of beauty – some might say a ‘work of art’ – from one of the most prestigious names in watch-making. However you may wish to 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 and the supply more limited, continued demand will mean 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.