Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 13, 2012

LOT 16

JAEGER-LECOULTRE GEOPHYSIC Jaeger-LeCoultre, ?Geophysic, Chronometre?, movement 1331534, case No. 748592. Made in 1958. Very fine and extremely rare, water-resistant, anti-magnetic to 600 Gauss, indirect center seconds, stainless steel chronometer wristwatch with a stainless steel bracelet with deployant clasp. Accompanied by an extract from the Archives and a Jaeger-LeCoultre box.

CHF 10,000 - 15,000

USD 11,000 - 16,000 / EUR 8,500 - 12,000

Sold: CHF 36,250

C. Two-body, polished and brushed, lapidated lugs, inclined bezel, screwed down case back. D. Off-white with applied steel baton indexes and Arabic 12 and 6, luminous dots on the inner bezel, outer minute/second divisions. Luminous steel epee hands. M. Cal. P478/BWSbr, rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, lateral lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to fi ve positions and to temperatures, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, parachute shock absorber, hack mechanism, swan-neck regulator, anti-magnetic dust cap. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam 35 mm. Thickness 10 mm. Approx. overall length 180 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

1957 ?1958 was designated International Geophysical Year. This was an international scientifi c effort in which 67 countries took part in making observations and carrying out experiments in various aspects of the earth sciences such as seismology, electromagnetism, glaciology, radioactivity and solar activity. The Jaeger LeCoultre ?Geophysic? wristwatch was inspired by the Geophysical Year. To publicise the effort, watches were given to the crew of the the wUS Nautilus, the fi rst nuclewar powered submarine, after its trip under the North Pole in 1958. This watch was made to be anti-magnetic to 600 Gauss to combat the effect of magnetic fi elds that could disturb the timekeeping qualities of the watch. 1038 pieces were made in stainless steel and 30 in gold. After 1962, the Geophysic was fi tted with an automatic movement and renamed the ?Geomatic?. This example is the best to have ever been offered at auction with a near mint case, the original crystal and perfectly matching luminous on the crystal and the hands.