Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Nov 11, 2012

LOT 32

LECOULTRE REF. 201 - RED LACQUERED DIAL EARLY STEEL REVERSO LeCoultre, "Reverso", movement No. 222841, case No. 5448, Ref. 201. Made circa 1931. Fine and extremely rare, rectangular, reversible, stainless steel wristwatch with red lacquered dial and green lacquered hands. Accompanied by the Extract from the archives.

CHF 8,200 - 11,000

USD 8,700 - 12,000 / EUR 7,000 - 9,000

Sold: CHF 23,750

C. Five-body, polished and brushed, angled lugs, reeded upper and lower bezel with reeding continuing to the back, the back engraved with a coat of arms. D. Red lacquered with applied steel baton indexes, outer minute track. Green lacquered épée hands. M. Tavannes Cal. 064, tonneau-shaped, rhodium-plated, 15 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance with 4 adjustments, Breguet balance spring, index regulator. Dial signed Reverso, movement punched L for Lisica S.A., case punched ?Patents Appl. for?. Dim. 23 x 37 mm. Thickness 8 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

A beautiful and well-preserved example of the most elusive and collected model of early Reverso. Most importantly the red lacquered dial is confi rmed by the Extract from the Archives. The present watch also retains the original hands with cream lacquered fi nish providing a bold contrast to the red of the dial. At the thematic Reverso sale held by Antiquorum in May 2011, the red dial example set at the time the record for the most expensive vintage Reverso to be sold at auction, bringing Sfr 35'000 (lot 225). Another example (Ref. 2201) sold by Antiquorum on May 13th, 2012, lot 15, holds the current record for the most expensive vintage Reverso sold at auction.