A superb gentlemans' Master Mariner automatic calendar watch manufactured 60 years ago in 1964 by Jaeger LeCoultre, one of the most prestigious watchmakers ever. It is in amazing overall condition, freshly oiled and adjusted, running strongly and keeping time with the calendar function fully operational. The 10 carat gold filled case presents beautifully, as does the dial. The movement is the cal. K881/8 automatic with the bi-rotational winding rotor turning a full 360 degrees. It replaced the cal. 476 bumper moverments used in Master Mariner watches until 1959. A new old stock vintage genuine vintage imperial size alligator calf strap has been fitted and the crystal has been replaced recently so this watch is ready to wear. The Master Mariner is a highly sought after model within the Jaeger LeCoultre range but vintage models from this period are rarely seen coming up for sale. And the calendar model is rarely seen, even more so one with the date aperture located at 12 o'clock. . Therefore I was delighted to acquire this watch and enjoy it for a while before listing it for sale. It is quadruple signed, on the dial, case, crown and movement.
Please scroll down to see more photographs and details and send a message if you have any questions.
Dial: in excellent condition, finished in satin silver and signed "LeCoultre Automatic Master Mariner Swiss" and bears the Jaeger LeCoultre emblem. Hours are marked by applied gold coloured batons and the date aperture is unusually located at 12 o'clock. The hands are in good shape and the crystal is clean and clear, having recently been replaced
Case: 10 carat gold filled in very good condition with the expected signs of careful use over the years but no signs of abuse, dents or any scratches of significance that I could find to point out to you. It measures approximately 34 mm across, excluding the signed crown and 41 mm from lug to lug. The inside of the case is signed "LeCoultre" and hallmarked as 10K gold filled.
Movement: 17 jewel automatic cal. K881/8 movement, signed “LeCoultre”, freshly oiled and adjusted, running very well and keeping time with the calendar function operating correctly. The serial number dates the watch to c1964. As with most automatic watch mechanisms (the Jaeger LeCoultre Futurematic is one exception), the movement can be hand wound. It should be "kick started" when first used by manually winding the watch. As older automatics are not as efficient as modern day mechanisms, the watch may, need manual winding from time to time in order to keep the power unit charged, depending on how much use and movement it receives when worn.
Strap: fitted a vintage imperial size 11/16"new old stock alligator calf strap which attached to the watch measures approximately 205 mm from buckle tip to last hole.
This is a fabulous and rare vintage watch manufactured by one of the most prestigious watchmakers in the world. Do not lose the opportunity to buy this Master Mariner watch.
Jaeger LeCoultre Watch Co. History
I am sometimes asked why some Jaeger LeCoultre watches are signed LeCoultre. This has much to do with the complex United States duty regulations that made it more cost effective to import Jaeger LeCoultre movements, dials, crowns and hands into the USA from Switzerland and for the cases to be manufactured in the States. In the 1950’s the Longines Wittnauer group was the distributor of LeCoultre watches and Vacheron & Constantin watches sold in North America. The Longines Wittnauer group did not manufacture Jaeger LeCoultre watches as some people mistakenly believe, the movements were produced in the Swiss Jaeger LeCoultre factory at Le Sentier and were identical in every way to movements distributed within Europe other than the LeCoultre markings on the watch. The cases were manufactured under licence in the United States and were marked "Cased and Timed in the USA by LeCoultre". In approximately 1985 the brand name "Jaeger LeCoultre" was adopted worldwide.
Some people believe that because LeCoultre movements are signed "VXN" on the bridge (denoting Vacheron & Constantin), they were manufactured by Vacheron & Constantin. This is incorrect. Jaeger LeCoultre supplied movements to Vacheron & Constantin, which were used in their watches but not vice versa. The only collaboration that ever took place between these two prestigious watchmakers was the "Galaxy" diamond dial model. The Galaxy was marketed by both companies; with the case marked "Vacheron & Constantin - LeCoultre Inc." and the dial signed "LeCoultre".
A more comprehensive explanation of these often mis-understood issues is provided in the excellent text book “Jaeger LeCoultre a Guide for the Collector” by Zaf Basha.
For those who are interested in the history of famous watchmakers, the Jaeger LeCoultre watch company is one of the oldest Swiss watchmakers. Antoine LeCoultre opened a small factory in Le Sentier in 1833 where current factory remains. LeCoultre quickly built a reputation for quality and precision, so much so that he became the leading supplier of movements to the watch making industry in Switzerland. In 1925 Antoine’s grandson, David, merged the company with that of Edmond Jaeger, which is when the current day company, Jaeger LeCoultre came into existence. It is one of the few Swiss companies still producing its own movements, cases, dials and bracelets. This gives the company total control over the quality and precision of its watches and is a contributory factor for it being one of the small number of elite watchmakers with a world wide reputation for quality and precision. Jaeger LeCoultre has been one of the most innovative watchmakers in the world, having produced a number of revolutionary inventions including the Atmos “Perpetual Motion Clock” (which operates by changes in air pressure) and the creation of the world’s smallest mechanical movement which weighed less than one gram.
Terms of
I pack my watches very well to avoid damage but very occasionally a problem may occur due to rough treatment in transit or the use of scanning equipment by Customs or the postal services which can magnetise the watch mechanism. I warrant that the watch you purchase will, when you receive it, be as described in the listing. If there is a problem when you receive your purchase I provide a no quibble full refund option. Alternatively I will undertake any repairs that are necessary if the watch is damaged or if in any other way differs significantly from the description. If I have not stated that the watch has been serviced, you may wish to have this work done, particularly if you intend to wear the watch on a daily basis. On request, I can provide you with details of independent watchmakers to whom you can send your watch for servicing.
I provide comprehensive details of my watches, including very clear photographs taken with a high resolution macro lens which shows detail not visible to the naked eye. I also invite you to ask questions if there is anything else you need to know. Please take care to consider the dimensions of the watch case as if it is a gentlemans’ Art Deco rectangular vintage watch, they were made significantly smaller than contemporary watches.
You are buying a used watch so there will be signs of use. Please do not expect quartz accuracy from a vintage watch. In the 1940’s/1950’s the accepted timekeeping tolerance for a new 17 jewel manual watch was within three minutes a day. All of my watches are professionally inspected and tested before sale and if they are not running smoothly and keeping reasonable time I have them serviced and/ or have any other work undertaken that is needed to ensure the watch is in running condition. However please bear in mind that a fault can develop unexpectedly at any time as with any used item so I am unable to provide any on-going warranty. Please also note that I provide no guarantee that my watches are waterproof. I would always strongly recommend keeping any vintage well away from moisture.
