The company only produced 5,000 examples of the movement. 500 were for the European market, and the remaining 4,500 made for the U.S. market and were split between the more common round cased version and this less common rectangular cased one.
Today's offering showcases one of these desirable watches. Its parts are original down to all hands and the winding crown.
Its case top has previously been decorated. Its silver dial with its cutouts for displaying the month, day, and moonphase, is a clean restoration. And the unusual, rectangular highly-complicated Jaeger-LeCoultre movement is running strong and true.
One of our watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it. After exactly 70 years, it continues to keep perfect time, running within a few seconds per day and all calender functions work just as they should.
For the finishing touch we have equipped it with a brand new Teju strap making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
Included with the purchase is a full one-year international warranty, a Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate attesting to the watch's performance.
Complicated LeCoultre watches:
Usually when things are complicated, it means more stress, more work, and more effort, but in the end, it's worth it. The same holds true for vintage wristwatches, where gifted artisans and engineers from years gone by labored months and years to create complicated timepieces that transcend art and talent. When it comes to vintage wristwatches, the highest realms of respect and value are reserved for these watches that do much more than merely tell time.
- Manufacturer: Jaeger-LeCoultre
- Country of origin: Switzerland, made for the U.S. market
- Year built: 1949
- Serial no.: 612,304
- Model: Triple Date Calendar with Moon Phase
- Case material: 10K gold filled
- Case markings (outside): 10K Gold Filled
- Case markings (inside): Cased and timed in U.S.A. by LeCoultre
- Case condition: Original plating, case top has been previously decorated, a couple pin pricks of gold wearthrough on the back and wearthrough at the high points of the lugs
- Dimensions: 24mm wide (excluding crown), 40mm long lug tip-to-tip
- Dial: Silver, gold indexes stamped into bezel, blue outer date track, apertures for day, date, month, and moon phases, subdials in English, nicely restored
- Hands: Original, blue steel "epees" with with red arrow-tipped silver date hand, excellent condition
- Movement type: Cal. 486/AW, tonneau shaped, rhodium plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, flat balance spring
- Movement markings: LeCoultre, Swiss, 486/AW
- Band: Genuine Teju lizard, high quality, fully stitched, padded for comfort, brand new and unused. We also stock lizard and a variety of others straps in various prints, skins, and colors. Please ask us if you're interested.
- Width between lugs: 16mm
- Crystal type: Acrylic, excellent condition
- Serviced: One of our watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it. All calender functions work just as they should.
- Timing: Timed on a state-of-the-art computerized system. After exactly 70 years, it continues to keep perfect time, running within a few seconds per day.
- Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email [email protected] for details.
- Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
- Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee
