Jaeger-LeCoultre Cal.P800/C, 9ct 1954/55

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 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, 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 would 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

Jaeger-LeCoultre watches are, and always have been, all about the perfection of their movements, their wonderful design and the very high quality of their watch cases. Also, at any given price point, the absolute confidence that one is purchasing one of the finest watches available. Here we have a classic example, with a beautiful silver-white dial in a 9ct yellow gold case. This watch simply exudes style, high quality, elegance and pure class.

The Dial

The silver-white dial provides a beautifully subtle contrast between the case, dial furnishings and hands. The dial carries applied yellow gilt standard Arabic numerals at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 interspersed with applied Dagger hour indices. These are matched with the original, restored yellow gilt ‘Dauphine’ hands. The dial is very simple and clean and the look, as with all vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre, is one of classic symmetry, simplicity, and elegance.

The dial is very simply signed Jaeger-LeCoultre with ‘Swiss Made’ at the very bottom of the dial.

The lens is new, having been replaced with a new original as part of the restoration.

This is the original dial which has been restored to the very highest standards by our dial restorers, considered to be the best in the UK.

The Movement

Jaeger-LeCoultre movements are amongst the highest quality in the world and are very highly regarded by all watchmakers. The movement here is the Jaeger-LeCoultre JLC Calibre P800/C hand-wound, 17 Jewels movement. This legendary movement was designed and produced at the time when investment and development in hand-wound watch movements was at its highest. Research, rapid development and investment during and after World War 2, led to the Omega Cal.30T2, the IWC Cal.89 and the JLC K/P 800/C. Each of these legendary movements was designed from the ground up for new levels of shock resistance, reliability and accuracy. The K or P in the calibre number refers to the form of shock protection.

Following an overhaul and service by our Jaeger-LeCoultre specialist watchmaker, the movement is running perfectly, having been calibrated and timed at +6 seconds per day. This is truly outstanding for a watch of this age and the watch also has a power reserve of 42 hours.

This watch movement is now ready for many more decades of faithful service and we have no hesitation in offering this watch with our 12-month warranty*. We will also be more than happy to assist with servicing in the future.

The movement is signed Jaeger-LeCoultre, Swiss Made and carries the Calibre number 800/C and the movement serial number 1055797 which dates this watch to 1955.

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

The Watch Case

The 9ct yellow gold watch case measures 34mm, excluding the correct unsigned crown. It was not until the 1960s that JLC signed all its winding crowns.

As with all Jaeger-LeCoultre watch cases, the quality of its design, construction and finish is immediately obvious. It is of two-piece construction and therefore provides excellent levels of water and dust resistance. It is beautifully crafted and noticeably sturdier and heavier than many of its peers from the same period. Importantly, the case-back is of full thickness and has never been engraved.

This is a British market Jaeger-LeCoultre watch. British market watch cases were made for Jaeger-LeCoultre by De Trevars, who were the British importers and case-makers for JLC during the 1950s and 1960s. This is the reason the case is signed ‘DTE’. The inside of the case-back also carries the correct London U.K. hallmarks dating this watch to 1954/1955.

This watch case is in just fabulous condition. It has been very carefully inspected, cleaned and lightly polished and is immaculate with no scratches, dings, dimples or other marks visible to the naked eye.

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

The Strap & Buckle

A new brown Hirsch Crocodile strap has been fitted, along with a Jaeger-LeCoultre gold plated buckle, which we feel compliments the watch nicely. 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.

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 1954/1955.

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”.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no quibble sale or return policy.

The presentation box shown in the photographs is included in the sale of this watch.

In Conclusion

This is exactly the kind of rare and interesting Jaeger-LeCoultre watch we love to find, restore and present for sale here. It is many more times more elegant than the modern equivalent watch and if produced today, the same standards of quality and finish would cost many thousands of £££s.

Even though it is over sixty years old, this watch is still completely fresh, reliable and highly practical to wear as an everyday watch should you so wish, but mostly, it is a thing of beauty, to wear, use, treasure and enjoy. Should you wish to view it this way, it will also make an excellent investment or heirloom piece, because as each year goes by, and the world market for vintage gold watches grows ever greater, limited supply, linked with particularly high demand from the Far East, means prices will inevitably climb ever higher!

A beautiful example of a timeless classic from one of horology’s most prestigious names, which if treated with care, will provide excellent reliability as well as a sound financial investment, as long-lasting as the watch itself!

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.

We are happy to accept PayPal as this is the quickest method of payment. However, if you would like to pay by UK cheque or UK bank transfer we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. 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 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.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call us on 0207 727 7095, or if calling from overseas, on +44 207 727 7095.

Please note, we also welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or 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.

Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.

Thank you.