Ladies Jaeger-LeCoultre Cal.818/3 18ct 1942

Jaeger-LeCoultre

Jaeger-LeCoultre, in addition to producing movements for its own watches, has also produced movements for many other famous watch houses, such as Cartier, Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet and IWC. In the early part of the 20th Century, Jaeger-LeCoultre even supplied movements to the great firm of Patek Philippe. Then as now, Jaeger-LeCoultre has always been considered one of the very finest Swiss watchmakers.

Description

In addition to producing some of the very finest Swiss movements, Jaeger-LeCoultre is certainly among the most inventive and avant-garde watchmakers in terms of watch design. Throughout its history, it has managed to create distinctive original designs from every period. There are countless examples of this from the earliest Duoplan and Reverso watches of the 1930s, through to the Memovox and Triple Calendar Moonphase watches of the 1950s – each of which continues in production to this very day. Its technical superiority in making very small movements for women’s watches also allowed Jaeger-LeCoultre to develop collaborations and to supply other famous brands and French jewellers such as Hermès, Cartier, and Chopard.

Here we have a rare and iconic example of a ladies Jaeger-LeCoultre dress watch in 18ct gold from 1942. The watch case and movement are each in immaculate condition, having been fully restored and serviced by our watchmaker.

The Dial

The beautiful restored white dial is simple and elegant. The overall design is very clean and the thin black ‘Index’ hands and roman numeral hour indices make this watch much more easily read than many ladies watches of a similar size. This watch is also complete with a delicate rail track around the inside of the hour indices.

The dial is signed ‘Jaeger-LeCoultre’ with ‘Swiss Made’ at the very bottom below the ‘6’. The lens is fresh and clear having been replaced as part of the watch restoration.

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

The Movement

Jaeger-LeCoultre movements are rightly held in very high regard for their accuracy and reliability and this watch carries its original, very high quality Jaeger-LeCoultre Cal.818/3, 17 Jewel hand-wound movement which as can be seen, is in spectacularly clean condition.

The movement is signed ‘Jaeger-LeCoultre’ and ‘Swiss’, along with the Calibre number 818/3. This watch also carries the movement serial number 216793.

The movement has been fully overhauled and serviced and is in beautiful condition. It is running strongly and remaining accurate within expected parameters for a watch movement of this age and size and also has a runtime of 40 hours when fully wound. We are therefore very happy to offer this watch with our 12 month warranty on the movement*.

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

The Watch Case

This watch has a very high quality 18ct yellow gold square case, somewhat similar to the Cartier ‘Tank’ design.

The case measures 26mm across, excluding the original Jaeger-LeCoultre crown, 26mm long, excluding the lugs and 38mm corner to corner making this watch something spectacular when on the wrist.

This watch has been very well cared for and very lightly used so after careful cleaning and inspection the watch case has simply required some gentle hand-polishing to return it to its now tip-top condition.

The case-back is correctly signed as expected ‘Jaeger-LeCoultre’ and ‘Swiss’, with 18ct hallmarks. The case-back is of full thickness and has never been engraved.

Please note, vintage watches are almost never waterproof, so as ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Strap & Buckle

A new, high quality black lizard strap has been fitted, along with a gold-plated buckle. We feel the strap suits the watch very well, 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. We can also obtain most types and colours from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their huge range of 17mm 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 1942.

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 high quality hardwood presentation box shown in the photographs is included.

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 charming and totally original vintage watch and even though it is over 60 years old, it is still completely fresh, reliable and practical to wear as a daily watch. It is an item of beauty, from one of the most prestigious names in Swiss watchmaking and a superb example of a classic 1940s hand-wound watch in superb fully restored condition.

If treated with care, this watch will remain a simply wonderful timepiece, to use, wear, treasure and enjoy, providing excellent reliability as well as a sound financial investment – as long-lasting as the watch itself. As each year goes by and the world market for vintage gold Jaeger-LeCoultre watches grows, limited supply and high demand from around the world will mean prices will inevitably 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.

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 by 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 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 0207 727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.

We await your call.

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

Thank you.