![]() In the pencil style, they remind of us the hands used on many Rolex Oysters of the same era. A lot of the value attached to particular models of vintage watches relates to their dial formats and if this variant was to be found in a Jaeger LeCoultre wristwatch from the same period, it would command a very high price.Īll three hands are entirely original. This look could not be more evocative of the 1930s. We have no knowledge of the history of this item, but for its original dial to have survived so unscathed it seems almost certain that it must have spent a lot of its life tucked away in a dark, dry drawer or safe, well away from the bleaching effect of bright sunlight and any moisture that might otherwise have crept around the sides of the glass.ĭial numerals do not get a great deal more attractive than the art deco items here. There is no noticeable ageing to its surface at all and none of the spotting that we almost expect as standard on original dials of this age. It has not been restored, yet it remains in a condition that to all intents and purposes is just the same as it was in 1936 when new. This dial is guaranteed to be completely original. There are very few watches from the 1930s that have untouched, unmolested dials in a near mint state and if we take this into account, the high prices realised by these scarce items begin to make logical sense. In watches, just as in other forms of antiques, rarity has a direct correlation to worth and desirability. Many of the pre-war watches that we see in our business, in fact we could phrase this more strongly and say most instead of many, are with dials that are either original and in noticeably deteriorated condition, or, perhaps worse still, dials that have been restored and are devoid of all originality. On any vintage timepiece, whether a clock or a wristwatch, dial condition and originality are key factors in establishing value. Similarly, these items have a weighty, high quality feel and one would not wish to carry them far in a pocket for very long. This one has a height of 95mm, a width of 63mm and a depth of 22mm. A number of makers produced clocks in the 1930s that were intended to be carried in handbags, but these Jaeger LeCoultre models were far more substantial, being suited for use as desk or bedside clocks by both ladies and gentlemen. Those who haven’t seen these clocks in the flesh are often surprised by their large size. The hide covering on this clock is guaranteed to be authentic and untouched, and is in extremely good condition. We certainly do not criticise this approach and it seems sensible to try to restore items that might otherwise by broken up for spare parts, but even so, we would always advise our customers to obtain an all original example for investment purposes. ![]() Particularly in the past two or three years, we have seen a number of these models surface that have been re-covered with new leather, presumably because their original coverings were badly damaged. We must remember that while these items are sought after now, in the 1970s when traditional mechanical timepieces had little commercial worth, they were simply viewed as outdated relics of a long past era. While they were very expensive when new and very much a product intended for the inter-war smart set, a lot of the Jaeger LeCoultre clocks in circulation today have been treated badly and are now looking rather shabby. We could easily imagine this item sitting in the window of a Prada or Chanel boutique in central London or Leeds alongside brightly coloured luxury designer handbags, gentleman’s accessories and highly priced leather goods. Interestingly, this look is something that has been used by several of the current fashion houses in recent years and despite its very strong art deco 1930s styling, the clock has, oddly on the face of it, a very modern appearance. The combination of the salmon pink dial, pink gilt bezel and this red hide is very striking. Unusually, its case is covered in bright red Moroccan leather, which we have only encountered on a handful of occasions in the past. This clock dates from 1936 and is something of a gem. Just as with Jaeger LeCoultre wristwatches, collectors have been looking for these clocks since the mid-1980s and the majority of those who own them today have no interest in selling. ![]() At any one time, we might have five or six in stock, but finding replacements in a condition that meets our standards is not easy. We have dealt in these items for almost thirty years and have probably owned examples of almost all the variants ever made, but they have never lost their allure and we still enjoy examining new arrivals when they appear. There is something extremely appealing about vintage Jaeger LeCoultre clocks from the 1930s.
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