Jaeger LeCoultre 1940s Manual Wind - 69425 - Extremely Rare

Specifications

Year: 1940s
Box/Papers: No/No

Reference: 69425

Serial: 1XXXXX
Case size: 29mm x 29mm
Movement: JLC Manual Wind Cal. 417
Crystal: Square domed acrylic
Strap Size: Full length 

Rarity

While similar examples do occasionally appear on the market, despite extensive research we have been unable to locate another surviving Jaeger-LeCoultre matching this exact combination of case and dial configuration.

One other interesting detail is the dial signature and its historical context. Jaeger-LeCoultre's dial signatures varied throughout the 1930s and 1940s as the manufacture evolved and served different markets. The "Fabriqué en Suisse" inscription found on this watch is particularly noteworthy, as markings such as "Fabriqué en Suisse" or "Fab. en Suisse" were used on Swiss watches destined for the French market in connection with the import regulations of the 1940s and 1950s period. This detail adds an intriguing historical dimension to an already exceptionally distinctive Jaeger-LeCoultre dress watch.

Condition

It is housed in a 29 × 29 mm stainless steel square case with large teardrop lugs, an unusually large size for the period and considerably more imposing than many surviving examples from the 1940s. The watch is distinguished by its striking original two-tone dial, featuring a charcoal black centre framed by a contrasting lighter grey outer chapter with elongated white Roman numerals and a beautifully proportioned square chemin-de-fer minute track. The recessed small seconds register at six o'clock completes one of the most elegant and architecturally balanced dial designs produced by Jaeger-LeCoultre during this era.

Most notably, the dial remains in excellent original condition. It retains the subtle character and patina expected of an eighty-year-old watch, presenting beautifully to the naked eye while revealing only gentle signs of age under magnification. The white hour and minute hands have been sympathetically re-touched at some point in the past to preserve their original appearance, while the small seconds hand remains untouched and displays an attractive, honest age consistent with the watch's originality. This watch is running well and keeping excellent time within specification.

Dial - The dial is in beautiful vintage condition, proudly displaying light patina under magnification.

Case - The fantastic stainless steel case is in outstanding and unpolished condition, showing only light wear. 

Case back - The original case back is in fantastic condition for its age, showing only light signs of wear.

Crown - The original crown works perfectly in all its functions. 

Movement - The original JLC manual wind Calibre 417 movement remains in excellent condition and is working absolutely perfectly. 

Strap - The new aftermarket strap suits the watch beautifully.

Crystal - The original acrylic crystal remains in excellent vintage condition with light wear and age visible under a loupe.

For a watch of this age, this piece is in spectacular order and is ready to wear! 

Please see our authenticity guarantee below. An authenticity guarantee card will be provided with the watch.

If you have any further questions about this piece, please don’t hesitate to contact us via email or Instagram.

@thewristwatcher1

thewristwatcher1@gmail.com

Terms of sale

Please note these are vintage timepieces and their timekeeping abilities will never be the same as modern equivalents. We ensure that all of our watches are keeping time within vintage specification. We categorise watches as keeping good time when they’re running within +/- 60 seconds per day.

We are a registered limited company and can be found on Companies House and therefore are legally required to accept returns within 14 days and provide our customers with fully authentic timepieces.

We guarantee the full authenticity of all out of timepieces. Each piece is fully tested and inspected by our watchmaker to ensure both full functionality and authenticity.

International customers are responsible for customs charges when receiving a purchase.

We cannot guarantee any water resistance due to the age of these watches.

Returns

Customers may return their purchased item within 14 days of delivery date as long as the item(s) are returned in the same condition as received.

International buyers are responsible for customs charges that apply when returning an item.

JM26

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