The A-wrist-ocrat

A vintage LeCoultre wristwatch with a rectangular gold case, white dial, gold hands, and a small seconds subdial at the 6 o'clock position, paired with a light gray leather strap.
Black and white advertisement showing various luxury watches and clocks designed by Le Coultre, a division of Vacheron & Constantin-Le Coultre, featuring images and descriptions of different watch models.

Hey, look at this pedigree!

Jaeger-LeCoultre has speckled its journey with remarkable achievements in the realm of watchmaking. Notably, the introduction of the iconic Reverso in 1931 has become a symbol of the brand's ingenuity, combining functionality with an elegant design that has stood the test of time. The Atmos clock, a perpetual motion marvel introduced in 1928, showcases Jaeger-LeCoultre's innovative approach to horology. The Master Control series, a testament to the brand's technical prowess, sets rigorous standards for precision and reliability. Furthermore, Jaeger-LeCoultre's consistent commitment to crafting high-quality movements has solidified its reputation as a go-to supplier for various esteemed watchmakers. These successes collectively underscore the brand's enduring impact and influence in the world of fine watchmaking.


The Jaeger-LeCoultre logo with stylized font and an anchor symbol above the text
A vintage LeCoultre wristwatch with a rectangular gold case, silver dial, gold hands, and a small seconds subdial at 6 o'clock, attached to a grey leather strap.

Jaeger-LeCoultre embraced the prevailing artistic trends of the time, incorporating Art Deco designs into their design elements. This period witnessed the production of timepieces characterized by geometric patterns, bold lines, and a harmonious balance of form and function depicted through the cases, indices, lugs, and more. Jaeger-LeCoultre integrated these design principles into its timepieces, contributing without compromising its well-tested and well-proven reputation of strong craftsmanship.

These lugs….please someone buy this watch. If you squint a bit, it almost feels like you’re looking at the rear fins of a 1950s Cadillac Coupe Deville!

The lugs on this watch have me in a feral state of passion. I live for asymmetry and the tapering case design leading to two teardrop lugs at the bottom of the watch scratches that odd itch so intently. If you look closely, the crystal follows the contours of the case lines and towers away from the dial towards the reader. It is reminiscent of a crystal-like decoration that one would find in their mid-century modern home furnishings. It lenses the dial with elegance, framing the simple but distinct 1950s-style applied indices.

Close-up of a vintage watch movement with gears and screws, labeled with brand name Le Coultre, 17 jewels, and other specifications.

The caseback states 10k gold-filled case

In the 1940s, Jaeger-LeCoultre navigated the challenges of World War II by adapting its production to meet military demands. The brand continued to showcase its resilience and innovation, releasing the Futurematic in 1948, an automatic watch that featured a unique power reserve display. The 1950s witnessed the continuation of Jaeger-LeCoultre's commitment to excellence with the introduction of the Memovox, a groundbreaking alarm watch. Additionally, the brand's collaboration with luxury carmaker Aston Martin resulted in the creation of the Jaeger-LeCoultre dashboard clocks for Aston Martin automobiles, further expanding its horological influence beyond wristwatches. These decades marked a period of both survival and advancement for Jaeger-LeCoultre, solidifying its reputation as a trailblazer in the watchmaking industry.

Close-up of a vintage gold-tone wristwatch with a rectangular face, showing the brand name 'LeCULTRE' and a small seconds subdial at the 6 o'clock position.

Specifications:

LISTING
Gold-colored vintage compact with embossed text inside and a small green tab.

The movement listed is Caliber 438/4CW, though I can’t seem to find much information on this exact movement. What you can expect, as depicte, is a simple workhorse movement from JLC of that era. It seems to be in working condition, but could benefit from some cleaning at some point.

  • Year:1950's

  • Brand: Jaeger Le Coultre

  • Reference #:N/A

  • Model:Aristocrat Grasshopper

  • Watch Type: Vintage Men's

  • Case: Case Original, Original Bezel, Original Crown // Serial # 16XXX

  • Case Dimensions: 26mm wide x 39mm lug to lug, Thickness 10mm

  • Case Metal: 10K Yellow Gold Filled

  • Case Shape: Trapezoid, Grasshopper

  • Bezel: Smooth, 10K Yellow Gold Filled

  • Movement Type: Manual WindMovement:Manual, Movement is in Excellent Running Condition // Serial # 842XXX

  • Caliber: 438/4CW

  • Jewels:17Dial:All Original Patina Silver Dial, Applied Yellow Gold Colored Pointed Hour Markers, Sub Seconds Dial at 6 o' Clock

  • Dial Condition: Patina Dial

  • Color: Silver

  • Hands: Yellow Gold Colored Sword Hands

  • Strap Material: New 100% Genuine Leather "Saffiano Style"

  • Strap Color: Gray Strap

  • Lug Width :20mm

  • Box: No

  • Papers: No

  • Country of Manufacturer: Switzerland

  • Warranty: This watch has been recently and fully serviced. Comes with a two-year warranty.

Sale Format: Purchase

Price: $1550.00 at the time of posting. If you’re on the hunt for a stunning statement piece with a funky case, you aren’t gonna see someone with a watch like this anytime soon. A design this unique from such a high quality brand justifies this price well enough for me.

*Disclaimer: All information is pulled directly from the source link. I hold no information on its accuracy. It is your responsibility to communicate with the seller to verify information and undergo safe practices when exchanging for a watch with a seller.