Jaeger-LeCoultre Cal.P480/C 18ct 1957

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 18ct yellow gold from 1957. As can be seen, the dial design is clean, simple and highly elegant and the Calibre P480/C 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 ‘baton’ hour indices and carries original restored ‘index’ 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 silver dial carries black ‘baton’ hour indices with gold indices at ‘3 – 6 – 9 – 12’, all swept by the original ‘index’ hands. The absence of a seconds hand adds the typical Calatrava look originally introduced by Patek Philippe, which established a reference standard for the gent’s dress watch in the 1930s and ’40s.

The dial is simply signed ‘Jaeger-LeCoultre’ 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/C 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 ‘Jaeger-LeCoultre’ and ‘Fab Suisse’ with the Calibre number P480/C and the movement serial number 1266821, dating the year of manufacture to 1957.

The watch is now running perfectly having been calibrated and timed at +14 seconds per day which is outstanding for any watch of this age. The watch has a runtime of 40 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 18ct watch case is a good size at 33mm diameter, excluding the correct unsigned, almost sunken, 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 naked eye.

Inside the case-back, all is properly marked and as expected with Swiss 18ct hallmarks. On the outside of the case is shown the serial number 744517. This external case serial number is clear, indicating the watch case has not been over-polished and importantly, the case-back is of full thickness and has never been engraved.

The Strap and Buckle

The watch is fitted with a high quality brown lizard strap and plain gold-plated buckle which we feel suits the watch perfectly. However, if a different colour or different style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to provide your choice, free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown and black in stock in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin and 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 also 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 high quality hardwood presentation box shown in the photographs is included.

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.