Jaeger-LeCoultre - The Geneva Watch Auction: NINE Geneva Saturday, May 11, 2019 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Jaeger-LeCoultre
    Year: 1959 and 2011
    Reference No: a) E857
    b) JLQ 2028440

    Movement No: a) 1'300'315
    b) 2'744'377

    Case No: a) 775'414
    b) 77/359

    Model Name: a) Memovox Deep Sea
    b) Memovox Tribute to Deep Sea

    Material: a) Stainless steel
    b) Stainless steel

    Calibre: a) Automatic, cal. K815, 17 jewels
    b) Automatic, cal. 956, 23 jewels

    Bracelet/Strap: a) Tropic
    b) Synthetic

    Clasp/Buckle: a) Stainless steel pin buckle
    b) Stainless steel pin buckle

    Dimensions: a) 39.5mm Diameter
    b) 41mm Diameter

    Signed: a) Case, dial and movement signed
    b) Case, dial and movement signed

    Accessories: a) Accompanied by the original LeCoultre presentation box with outer packaging and Jaeger-LeCoultre Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1959.
    b) Accompanied by the original Jaeger-LeCoultre presentation box with outer packaging, Guarantee dated November 7, 2011 and product literature.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Historically important and technically innovative for the time, the LeCoultre Deep Sea Alarm was the first automatic diver’s wristwatch with an alarm function, the purpose of which was to remind the diver to return to the surface before their oxygen ran out. Launched in 1959, it was only produced for 3 short years, leading to a total of 1,061 examples manufactured.
    Two variants were available: one signed "LeCoultre" for the American market, and the other with dial signed "Jaeger-LeCoultre" for the European market. Scholarship shows that the LeCoultre version, such as the present lot, is the rarest variant. From 1959 - the first year of production, the watch is in fully original condition. The dial has beautifully aged and turned to warm shades of cappuccino brown. Further adding to the appeal of the present watch is the presence of its original inner and outer presentation boxes with the statement “The most exceptional watches and clocks in all the world”.
    In 2011, Jaeger-LeCoultre launched a tribute lineup to commemorate the original Deep Sea Alarm model, with, again, two iterations: one for the American market with 359 examples and one for the European market with 959 examples. The second watch of this set is part of the American market pieces, featuring the “Deep Sea Alarm Automatic,” designation above 6 o’clock and the “LeCoultre” under 12 o’clock on the dial. Most importantly, this watch is numbered 77/359 paying homage to the case number of its original model and is in unworn condition with box and original papers.

  • Artist Biography

    Jaeger-LeCoultre

    Swiss • 1833

    Not all companies in the watchmaking field have been able to stand the test of time quite like Jaeger LeCoultre, also known as the "watchmaker's watchmaker." Founded in 1833 by Antoine LeCoultre and originally named LeCoutre, the firm provided watchmaking's top brands, such as Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and Audemars Piguet, the high-grade, unfinished mechanical movements with which they completed their watches.

    In the early 1900s, Cartier's watch supplier Edmond Jaeger sought out LeCoultre's help in creating the world's thinnest watches. The collaboration resulted in the creation of Cartier's earliest Tank and Santos watches, all housed with LeCoultre movements. The duo decided to merge in 1937, and the firm officially became the Jaeger-LeCoultre brand by which collectors know and adore it today. Some of the firm's most significant and important timepieces include the Reverso, the Memovox, the Atmos clock and, among modern watches, their Master Complications.

    View More Works

92

Ref. a) E857 b) JLQ 2028440
A very rare diver's wristwatch with alarm function and box paired with matching number modern stainless steel wristwatch made to pay tribute to the model

1959 and 2011
a) 39.5mm Diameter
b) 41mm Diameter

a) Case, dial and movement signed
b) Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF45,000 - 65,000 
€40,100-57,900
$45,300-65,500

Sold for CHF56,250

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+ 41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: NINE

Geneva Auction 11-12 May 2019