Jaeger LeCoultre

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Jaeger LeCoultre is, in my opinion, the best watchmaker in the world. Rolex is without question the most well-known manufacturer and Patek Philippe has produced some of the most collectable, high-value watches on the market. However, Jaeger LeCoultre arguably has a richer and more important horological history than both.

‘JLC’ as they’re known to their friends has been at the centre of Swiss watchmaking since 1833. This is six years before Patek and seventy-two before Rolex. Located in the Vallée de Joux, they have specialised in high-end horology in all its aspects for almost two hundred years. Referred to as “La Grande Maison”, they have mastered somewhere in the region of 180 different skills. This makes them one of the few watchhouses capable of manufacturing a timepiece from start to finish under one roof.

Recognised on the market?

However, for one reason or another, the brand has never quite received the recognition it deserves from the general public. To put their place within the watch world into perspective we need to judge them in relation to their most coveted counterparts. In this case, that means the ‘Holy Trinity' - Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philipp -. JLC's three neighbours in the Vallée de Joux. They are universally recognised as the most respected producers of high-quality timepieces in the world. And they have all relied on Jaeger LeCoultre for movements and other components at some stage in their history. It is for this reason that JLC is declared by many to be the ‘Watchmaker of watchmakers’.

Amongst their extensive back catalogue are a number of bonafide classics:

- the first automatic alarm watch - the Memovox

- a Polo-inspired sports watch - the Reverso

- a perpetual clock powered purely by changes in atmospheric pressure - the Atmos.

These would be the first to spring to mind for fans of the brand but there were other important references too. One of which is the example we see here, which we will offer the next Luxury Watch Sale at Fellows on January 19th 2023; the Geophysic.

Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic

Not to be confused with the modern re-edition, this original Geophysic is over sixty years old and presented in original condition.

Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic
Sold for £14,300 including fees in January 2023

Produced in 1958, the watch celebrated the 125th anniversary of the brand and also marked the first “International Geophysical Year’. Never heard of it? Me neither. It was an effort by 67 nations to encourage scientific experimentation in eleven Earth sciences including geomagnetism, oceanography and meteorology. Hailed as a resounding success its legacy lives on today, although my late granddad didn’t seem to appreciate the meteorological research. “Absolute waste of time, couldn’t tell you yesterday's weather” he routinely shouted at the tellybox after the forecaster's cheery predictions.

Robust Timepiece

Anyway, back to the Geophysic. JLC created it to be one of the most robust and precise timekeepers ever made at the time. The calibre P478 chronometer grade movement was heavily based on its WW2 military mechanisms, though featured a number of upgrades. These included a KIF shock protection system, central hacking function and temperature-resistant Glucydur balance. Protection against magnetic fields was assured via the use of an iron barrier between the case and movement. A feature that is reliable up to 600 gauss. A simple white dial with luminous sword hands and Arabic numerals to six and twelve made for excellent legibility, even at its modest size of 35mm.

Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic

Testament to the accuracy and durability of the Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic is the fact it was taken onto the first nuclear submarine, the Nautilus. It also accompanied explorers to both poles and could be found in some of the most intense laboratory environments of the day. Limited to just 1038 pieces, this stainless steel version is understandably a highly collectable watch amongst JLC aficionados. At auction, we rarely see them in such original condition. With an estimate of £10,000-£15,000 Lot 31 went on to sell for £14,300 including fees in January 2023.

If the phrase “Those who know, know” was a wristwatch, this is it.