Jaeger-LeCoultre Watches
With a passion for timekeeping and a unyielding drive for innovation, Jaeger LeCoultre watches are renowned for their sophisticated aesthetics. Such is their prowess for manufacturing, the brand has been approached by companies such as IWC, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet. It even produced the dials in classic Aston Martin cars. If you are a fan of sporty designs that are backed by expert precision, Jaeger LeCoultre is definitely the brand for you.
The History of Jaeger LeCoultre Watches
Starting out life as a high-end manufacturer of movements, Jaeger LeCoultre eventually transitioned into creating its own stylish timepieces. Its history began in the village of Le Sentier in Switzerland, a place where metalwork was extremely common thanks to its nearby iron mines. Due to its small population, there was a real need for reliable automation if the village’s watch production was ever going to take off. Charles Antoine LeCoultre did just that when he invented a machine designed to cut watch pinions. Not long after this, in 1883, Charles Antoine and his brother François Ulysse opened their first workshop.
Charles Antoine would continue to invent essential devices that were designed to improve efficiency and accuracy, such as the Millionomètre in 1844. Some three years later, he developed the method of keyless winding by using the crown, thereby eliminating the need for a separate key.
Fast forward to 1903, and LeCoultre partnered with French watchmaker Edmond Jaeger, who needed a manufacturer to bring his designs of ultra-thin movements into reality. Jaeger was incredibly strict in the calibre of manufacturers he wanted to work with, but LeCoultre had everything he needed. Then, in 1907, Jaeger entered into an exclusivity agreement with Cartier, meaning their movements would only appear in the Parisian watchmaker’s wristwatches. This contract lasted all the way to 1922.
Jaeger LeCoultre’s first foray into watchmaking came in 1931, when the two still-separate companies were tasked with producing timepieces that were able to cope with the rigours of polo matches. This is because British colonial officers in India were finding it difficult to keep their wristwatches unscathed. Working alongside René-Alfred Chauvot, they created the Reverso. Featuring a reversible inner case (hence the name), it allows the dial to be concealed when necessary to keep it from getting damaged.
The 1950s saw the release of several important wristwatches for the brand. Its first collection in this period was the Memovox, which featured a handy alarm clock. Initially, the Memovox came with a mechanical movement, until it was fitted with an automatic calibre in 1956. In 1953, the company presented the Futurematic, the completely automatic watch without a winding crown. Five years later, it wowed the watchmaking world again with the Geophysic chronometer. The watch was precise, robust, and resistant to electric shocks.
Jaeger LeCoultre continued to develop groundbreaking timepieces in the 21st Century. The year 2004 saw the release of the Gyrotourbillon I. The tourbillon itself is considered to be one of the most difficult complications to produce, and Gyrotourbillon one-upped everything by rotating around two axes instead of one. One of the brand’s most impressive achievements, the Gyrotourbillon has received several updates throughout the subsequent years.
Never afraid to revisit old ideas, the year 2018 saw the launch of a new collection based on the 1968 Memovox Polaris. Like its forbear, this new iteration uses an unusual three-crown design to operate all of its functions. However, it is not a diver’s watch, since it lacks screw down crowns. Because of this, the watchmaker advised against trying to manipulate the controls while underwater.
Second Hand Jaeger LeCoultre Watches from Blowers Jewellers
If you are looking for pre-owned Jaeger LeCoultre watches, you can rely on Blowers Jewellers to assist. We are the destination of choice for enthusiasts and collectors alike, and are dedicated to helping our clients find their ideal item of jewellery.
All of our second hand Jaeger LeCoultre watches have been hand chosen by our experts, so you can be rest assured they are of the highest quality. Each unique piece comes with a warranty of between twelve months to five years, and is available to be viewed at our boutique in Kingston Upon Hull or by appointment at our office in London’s Mayfair.
The team at Blowers Jewellers is even able to assist if you are looking to part with your timepiece. Whether you are wanting to take advantage of our generous part exchange scheme or let us buy your watch outright, simply provide us with a few details and we will respond with what we believe is the best possible price within 48 hours. It is this all-encompassing, client-centric approach that keeps clients returning to us time and again.
We believe that purchasing your perfect item of jewellery, whether they be Jaeger LeCoultre or something entirely different, should be a special and personal experience. This is why we will work with you to understand your style and requirements before recommending what we believe is the best option for you. This means you can be confident you are in safe hands throughout the entire process.
To find out more about how Blowers Jewellers can help, visit us in store or contact our team today.