Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Monaco, Jul 21, 2021

LOT 190

Jaeger-LeCoultre
Ref. E 168, centre-seconds, anti-magnetic; “Geophysic”; stainless steel

EUR 8,000 - 15,000

USD 9,500 - 17,900 / HKD 74,000 - 140,000

Sold: EUR 16,900

Stainless steel, manual-winding, round-shaped, anti-magnetic to 600 Gauss, chronometer wristwatch, water-resistant with screwed case-back, lapidated lugs, white colour dial with applied radial steel indexes, suspended Arabic numerals and centre-seconds; the movement protected inside a soft iron calotte (protective container) against magnetic fields.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good

Case: 3-8

Good

Slightly scratched

Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 2

Very good

Brand Jaeger-LeCoultre, Le Sentier (Vallée de Joux)

Model “Geophysic”

Reference E 168

Year 1958

Movement No. 1 276 180

Case No. 748 045

Diameter 35 mm

Caliber P478/BWSbr

Signature dial, case and movement

Accessories Extract from the Archives

Notes

1957 -1958 was designated International Geophysical Year. This was an international scientific 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 publicize the effort, watches were given to the crew of the the wUS Nautilus, the first nuclear 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 fields 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 fitted with an automatic movement and renamed the "Geomatic”.