SUPERB MEN\'S JAEGER LECOULTRE, ART DECO DIAL, 1952, RARE CAL.810/AW-VXN VACHERON
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SUPERB MEN\'S JAEGER LECOULTRE, ART DECO DIAL, 1952, RARE CAL.810/AW-VXN VACHERON:
$660.00
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This is a great opportunity for any and all vintage watch collectors to step up to a rare Jaeger LeCoultre from 1952, and find out what the mystique is all about... This very attractive and authentic Jaeger LeCoultre, made of 10K gold filled and stainless steel,is a rare art deco watch from 1952 that will delight the collector.The condition of this watch is really nice throughout.The lovely thing about watches like this one is that, as “the real thing” rather than re-issues in a retro style, they hold their value and are immune from the horrendous depreciation suffered by brand new models. This is an established classic that is regarded, quite correctly, as a rarity. There are always more buyers looking for nice vintage Jaeger LeCoultre pieces from the 1950s and ‘60s than there are worthwhile watches for sale and it can be said with confidence that a decade from now, this item will be worth substantially more than it is today. For the serious collector wanting a representative sample from the period when the traditional Swiss luxury watch industry was shaken to its core by electronic technology and had to pull out all the stops to survive, this would probably be a choice that would be hard to better.
While this is a very wearable and extremely fashionable watch at present, it is inevitable that its purchaser will have an interest in its potential as an investment. Across the board, the values of legitimate vintage wristwatches have risen dramatically over the past decade and in particular, the extent to which the worth of classic watches by makers like Jaeger LeCoultre has soared has been nothing of dramatic. If we look back at old Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Bonhams sale catalogues from the late 1990s, examples of vintage models, like the one here, can be seen to have changed hands for what, in retrospect, were painfully low sums, though, of course, these still seemed considerable at the time.
In every respect, this watch is in very nice condition and with the very rare manually wound high grade Swiss Calibre 810/AW movement it is among the ultimate purist\'s choices from this era. The 1940-1960s are regarded by many connoisseurs as the decades in which mechanical watch making in Switzerland were at its height and certainly, the quality of both construction and finish in the caliber 810/AW has not been equalled in recent years. To the man in the street with a limited knowledge of vintage wristwatches, this is an attractive classic Jaeger LeCoultre, but to someone who is really familiar with the subject, it is also far more than that on many levels.
DIAL:Central to the grading concept for the experienced collector is the idea of dial condition and originality. To have anything even approaching its maximum theoretical value, a vintage watch must have itsoriginal dialin nice, or better, condition. More than any other aspect, dials show variations in condition that will render a watch undesirable at a stroke. Prone to fading if left in bright sunlight, foxing if exposed to damp air and dust staining, the dial is more vulnerable than even a movement. Pieces like this one, with original untouched dials in very nice condition are unusual, hence when they do crop up for sale, they command high price.
The glorious white silver dial on this watch is instantly eye-catching, completely original, and in great condition, with just the slightest, almost invisible, patina that can only really be noticed with aid of magnification.The style is art deco, a look that was very much embraced by Jaeger LeCoultre at this time.With arguably the exception of Cartier, to which Jaeger LeCoultre was the movement supplier of choice, none of the other Swiss houses embraced art deco in the inter and post-war period to the extent of Jaeger LeCoultre. While deco fell from fashion in the 1960s and \'70s, today, it is very much back in vogue and items like this one are among the most eye catching and desirable on the market. Fashion comes and goes, but this Jaeger LeCoultre is still the same classic looking watch that impresses and after all these years is still on the wrist of many watch lover today.
Any vintage watch must have its original untouched dial in order to be worth its maximum potential value. The presence of a so-called “restored” dial, meaning one on which the surface has been completely stripped and replaced with a new substitute, will render any watch undesirable and diminish its value at a stroke by typically 40%. When explaining this to new collectors, we often draw a parallel to the world of antique coins, where any evidence of polishing will instantly render an item virtually worthless. Restored dials on vintage timepieces don’t have quite as negative an impact, but they should be avoided wherever possible. The dial here is 100% original, very attractive and in a well preserved condition, with all writing is clean and visable.“LeCoultre” is stated below the 12 o\'clock position, with “Swiss” at the bottom below the 6 o’clock position.All three hands are completely original and in excellent condition.
MOVEMENT :The sheer quality of vintage Jaeger LeCoultre movements is legendary, with these classic calibres being arguably the finest from any of the luxury houses at this time. The firm has always been one of a tiny handful of Swiss makers that could be classed as genuine “manufactures” in the strictest sense of the word. For those less familiar with the terminology of fine horology, it should be explained that this is the correct title to describe a company (collectors argue endlessly over which brands were and were not “manufactures”, but the generally held view is that there were, at most, ten Swiss concerns that could honestly describe themselves in this way and lay claim to this ultra-exclusive status.) that is capable of entirely manufacturing its own movements in-house from scratch, importing no out sourced components from other factories. Companies like Jaeger LeCoultre have enormous credibility that is derived from this integrity in their products and we would be the first to admit that the satisfaction in owning a vintage timepiece that was produced in this way “under one roof” is particularly considerable. On a more tangible note, it is unquestionably the case that building its entire movements in house gave Jaeger LeCoultre a degree of quality control over its production that would have been extremely difficult to otherwise co-ordinate. Studying the movement carefully now, we have no hesitation in saying that its quality and, more significantly its finish, are of a level that is absolutely second to none. The eye catching frosted gilt bridge plates have been individually dressed by hand, their edges being bevelled to perfection, every jewel perfectly polished to ensure friction free running and even the screw heads that are visible on the top of the movement surface have been laboriously polished, one by one, to a mirror finish by a master craftsman.
The movement here is the very rare manually wound calibre 810/AW. This was a hand wound unit, roundin shape featured every possible refinement of its era,built entirely in-house by Jaeger LeCoultre.The cal 810 is a 10-1/2 ligne, 1800 bph movement, built on the cal 800 base movement (which itself uses the cal 480 base). It was offered in 15 and 17 jewels versions with and without Parechoc shock protection. Caliber 810/AW were in production for only two years, 1952-54, with a very limited productionof only 9,500 movements!
In its original form, as here, it had a steady running rate of 18000 half beats per hour, 17 Jewels, rhodium plated, fausses cotes decoration, monometallic balance, self-compensating flat hairspring, and a power reserve of approximately 40 hours. The rhodium finished plate bridge is signed \"LeCoultre Co, Swiss\" together with 17 jewels and the calibre number 810/AW. Next to the balance wheel is the VXN mark and also present is the individual serial number dedicated to this particular mechanism, 1006355 which clearly identifies this unit as being of 1952 origin. The condition of the whole movement is excellent and the LeCoultre signature stand out in gold as it did when new.
The standard of hand finishing present here is little short of breathtaking and we would encourage the new owner of this piece to carefully remove its case back in a dust free Environment and take a few minutes to study its movement under magnification with a jeweller’s eyeglass. This degree of quality, a point made at the beginning of this description, simply isn’t to be found in a new watch today and it always seems such a terrible shame that the majority of novice collectors, though aware that they own a high priced vintage rarity by one of the top-tier manufacturers, are not entirely conversant with the features that make it internally so remarkable.
The internal finish of a watch is a much more complicated proposition than external finish, and a much more expensive one. There are no unnecessary parts in a watch movement. Each one serves a function and,for the vast majority of them, the quality of finish will determine howwellthe part can perform its function and for howlong. This is true of everything from the mainspring and barrel to the cannon pinion that carries the minute hand on the dial. The polish of the mainspring, barrel, and barrel cover have everything to do with how smoothly power is provided to the movement. A poorly finished —or misadjusted— cannon pinion will immediately be discernible in the tactile quality of hand-setting. And a poorly finished cannon pinion cannot be properly adjusted and will ultimately affect the smooth movement of the minute hand during running or bind the movement entirely.
In view of the high cost of this watch when new, it is perhaps not too surprising that the piece has been regularly serviced throughout its life, with little regard to expense. The result of this careful maintenance has been that it works perfectly and internally has no corrosion, discolouration or changed parts whatsoever, making this item a perfect choice for even the collector.The reliability and accuracy of Jaeger LeCoultre movements, both past and present, is unsurpassed, and there is absolutely no reason whatsoever why this watch, with regular servicing, will not been in full running older a century from now, perhaps as an heirloom piece or a collector’s example of mid-20th century high horology in wristwatch form.It is still possible to return vintage Jaeger LeCoultre watches back to Le Sentier for servicing, but in practice, an experienced local watchmaker will be more than capable of performing the routine cleaning and oiling required to keep this unit in rude health. One of the most appealing aspects of high level vintage watches like this one is their potential to last almost forever.
CASE :While famous as a maker of its own movements, Jaeger LeCoultre was never a manufacturer of cases. Instead, it commissioned these from a small number of Swiss suppliers who excelled in this highly specialised field.The original classic roundcase in 10 karat Gold filled and stainless steel back is in a well preserved condition,with just the faintest of imperfections that can hardly even be made out with the naked eye. Casehas a strong eye catching look.
Inside the case back is written \"Cased and Timed in USA by LeCoultre, 10K Gold filled Bezel, Stainless steel back\" and carries a rarely seen marine anchor.We suspect that the majority of experienced collectors are familiar with the reasons for the abbreviated LeCoultre signature being used at times instead of the full Jaeger LeCoultre version. This can be confusing for newcomer enthusiasts who, understandably, require confirmation that these two signatures do represent the products of a single company rather than two unrelated concerns. In fact, they have no need to worry and the explanation simply boils down to a trade name ownership issue. In Europe, the full Jaeger LeCoultre name was used but in the USA, as a result of contention over the rights to use the Jaeger word, Jaeger LeCoultre watches were sold signed as LeCoultre. Cases were typically stamped, as here, as LeCoultre regardless of where they were to be sold, simply to avoid the inconvenience in the factory of mating certain case types to dials and movements intended for certain markets.The movements used in LeCoultre signed watches are in every respect identical to those sold under the full Jaeger LeCoultre name in Europe. They were made to the same superb standard, by the same workforce, in the same factory and the only difference between the two is the form of their signature.A more comprehensive explanation of these often mis-understood issues is provided in the excellent text book\"Jaeger LeCoultre a Guide for the Collector\"byZaf Basha.
A quick note should added concerning gold filled cases and/or bezels. While these are not solid gold, they should not be confused for cheaper, less substantial, gold plated cases. The basic concept was one of rolling out thick sheets of solid gold, with a layer of base metal sandwiched in between them, to create a result that had a high percentage of precious metal, but obviously a lower overall cost than a housing in solid gold. In contrast, electro plating simply involves submerging a base metal case in a plating batch and coating it with the thinnest cosmetic layer of gold. Gold plated cases typically look pretty scruffy after just one year or two of wear as the base metal starts to rub through the plating. The gold fill on bezels and lugs like this one is so thick that with care, it will never wear though to the steel below, even after a lifetime of regular use. Very popular in the 1950s, gold filled cases gradually disappeared from the market towards the end of the 1960s, simply because they were so costly to produce.
CROWN :This exquisite Jaeger LeCoultre watch has its original correct unsigned plainwinding crown with gold tone.
STRAP :We have fitted this piece with a new Ostrich type dark grey/brown leather grain strap (and silver pin buckle) that is very similar to those shown in Jaeger LeCoultre catalogues from the same period. While not being a Jaeger LeCoultre item, it is perfectly suited to the upmarket, chic look of the watch and certainly need not be replaced. It is in mint condition, having never been worn.
It would be almost impossible for the lucky winner to ever lose a penny on this watch and if owned for several years, it will produce a tidy profit. Twenty years ago, vintage Jaeger LeCoultre watches from the 1950s and \'60s were already very difficult to find and today, they have virtually dried up entirely.The craftsmanship and sheer artistry present in these micro-mechanical wonders is a source of constant fascination, and studying the movements in these early watches with an eyeglass is at times little short of a humbling experience.Watches like this one, by any of Switzerland’s most respected houses, are almost impossible to find now, with most having disappeared into the hands of private collectors during the first wave of vintage watch mania in the mid 1980s.It is certainly a gem for the collector of early vintage Jaeger LeCoultre watches, and would make an impressive showpiece in any serious portfolio of antique timepieces.This particular watch is a very nice piece for anyone specifically looking for a classic Jaeger LeCoultre with awesome Art Deco flavor dial, and with the much celebrated rare 810/AW movement for long term ownership.
MEASURES APPROX:* Please take care to consider the dimensions of the watch case given in millimeters (the watch industry standard) and inches. Draw the measurements on paper to help visualize the watch on your wrist as vintage men\'s watches from the 1910s to 1970s were made significantly smaller than contemporary watches.
WIDTHWITHCROWN: 35 MM (1.38 INCHES)
LENGTH WITH LUGS: 37.50 MM (1.48 INCHES)
WIDTH WITHOUT CROWN: 32.75 (1.29 INCHES)
DEPTH with GLASS: 9.80 MM (0.38 INCHES)
LUGS: 18 MM (0.71 INCHES)
BAND: 18 MM WIDE.
Brand
Jaeger LeCoultre.
Condition
Pre-owned in very nice condition.
Case Material10K Gold Filled bezel & Stainless Steel back.
Band MaterialNew Ostrich type leather grain, 18 mm.
Band ColorDark grey/brown.Dial
Art deco white/cream original dial in very nice condition, signed \"LeCoultre, Swiss\".Movement Type
Swiss Made hand wound Jaeger LeCoultre LEGENDARY High Grade Cal. 810/AW, Signed LeCoultre, Swiss, 17 Jewels with VXN mark.In strong working condition.
Hands Case Back
The attractive gold hands are in excellent condition and original to the watch.Stainless Steel.
Case Width35 mmwithcrown.
Case Length37.50 mm with the lugs.
Case Thickness9.80 mm with glass.
Crown
Original correct unsigned plain winding crown.
Crystal
Excellent condition.
Hand IndicatorsHour, Minute, second.Comments
A very desirable andhard to findArt Deco Jaeger LeCoultre with original/untouched dial,810/AW high grade manual movement, all in very nice condition. Keeps accurate time.
Other InfoNo Box. No Papers.
For those who are interested in the history of famous watchmakers, the Jaeger LeCoultre watch company is one of the oldest Swiss watchmakers. Antoine LeCoultre opened a small factory in Le Sentier in 1833 where current factory remains. LeCoultre quickly built a reputation for quality and precision, so much so that he became the leading supplier of movements to the watch making industry in Switzerland. In 1925 Antoine’s grandson, David, merged the company with that of Edmond Jaeger, which is when the current day company, Jaeger LeCoultre came into existence. It is one of the few Swiss companies still producing its own movements, cases, dials and bracelets. This gives the company total control over the quality and precision of its watches and is a contributory factor for it being one of the small number of elite watchmakers with a world wide reputation for quality and precision. Jaeger LeCoultre has been one of the most innovative watchmakers in the world, having produced a number of revolutionary inventions including the Atmos “Perpetual Motion Clock” (which operates by changes in air pressure) and the creation of the world’s smallest mechanical movement which weighed less than one gram.
!!! NOTE that the JLC blackboard tag price and the white wooden boxe seen on some pictures aren\'t for sale at this time.
!!! Important : l\'étiquette JLC visible sur les photos ainsi que le coffret de présentation en cuir blancne sont pas disponibles à la vente.
\"FINE PRINT \": PLEASE READ, UNDERSTAND, AND ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING PRIOR TO offerDING:Please have funds available and be prepared to makeimmediate payment upon close of sale. Less than 5 responses, please email us prior to offerding. Those who accept our policies always have a great experience when doing business with us.All items carefully described to the best of our ability.Please ask all questions prior to offerding on this item. This is the \"inspection\" period just like a live sale. Please do not save questions untill the last minute as they may not be able to be answered in time. We usually respond to emails within 2 hours.
ANOTE ABOUT GOLD CONTENT:Whenever a claim is made as to metal or karat purity, it has been verified by jeweler\'s hallmarks or tested to industry standards. We unconditionally guarantee the content stated in our descriptions. We will specify if an item is not solid gold.
We never guarantee that any of the watches we sell are waterproof or water resistant unless the watch is \"Brand New\" and manufactured to be as such. Since we primarily sell pre-owned wristwatches, we have no way to be certain whether the watch has retained the original waterproofing or resistance it may have had when new.
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Items will be posted on receipt of cleared funds,INSURED TO COVER YOUR FULL PURCHASE PRICE AND SHIPPED INTERNATIONALLY WITH SIGNATURE REQUIRED AND TRACKING NUMBER.Please understand that we have no control over delays or costs once your watch is shipped due to your country\'s customs or laws.
PAYMENT INFORMATION: Payment is due upon close of sale.We accept payment by paypal only.In accordance with policy, payments not received in two days will initiate anunpaid item case through the Resolution Center.Additional Information
All watches have been thoroughly examined and authenticated by Roger, our French certified master-watchmaker. Pictures are of the actual item.
About UsWe specialize in the fine vintage wristwatch business for over almost three decades. We are based in Phoenix, USA, but also in Paris, France and in Moscow, Russia. We have commonly satisfied customers from all over the world, so please check our store !
Our watches are carefully inspected for their authenticity and good function. Due to some of our wristwatches age it is reasonable that some wear might be visible. When this occurs it will be noted in the object’s description and pictures. Nevertheless, if you have any questions on an item you are considering of purchasing please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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SUPERB MEN\'S JAEGER LECOULTRE, ART DECO DIAL, 1952, RARE CAL.810/AW-VXN VACHERON:
$660.00