Jaeger-LeCoultre - Racing Pulse New York Saturday, December 12, 2020 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Jaeger-LeCoultre

    Year: Circa 1965

    Movement No: 1'574'239

    Material: 18K pink gold

    Calibre: Automatic, cal. K881

    Bracelet/Strap: Leather

    Dimensions: 32mm Diameter

    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

    Accessories: Accompanied by Drawing of U2 lyrics, The First Time. By Bono, 2020, photograph, and signed letter by Bono.

     

    Catalogue Essay

     

    The 20th century was a period of horological firsts from truly modern wristwatches, to the introduction of “tool” watches, to the golden age of mechanical watchmaking with some of the most iconic wristwatches ever produced. Technological innovation was in demand, and along with complicated wristwatches like perpetual calendar chronograph watches with moon phase, Swiss makers continued to produce classic gentleman’s wristwatches that were cherished both for their form and function. By the 1950s, many brands were introducing practical, self-winding watches with date, and these elegant men’s timepieces enjoyed enormous popularity.

     

    The present Jaeger-LeCoultre from the 1960s features their in-house caliber K881 introduced in 1959. It was Jaeger-LeCoultre’s first self-winding movement featuring a centrally-mounted, 360-degree winding rotor. Jaeger-LeCoultre began production of automatic movements in 1947 with a bumper system, and continued to improve upon it with the K881 becoming one of their most important, with elements of its design still in use today.

     

    This lovely 18 karat pink gold Jaeger-LeCoultre stands out with its remarkable provenance. It was given by Bono, of the Irish rock band, U2, to his father, Brendan Robert Hewson. In his own words, he wasn't an easy man to give anything to. Since his father's passing, Bono kept this timepiece with him. This lot has been generously donated by Bono to benefit the missions of One Drop and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

     

    The First Time. By Bono, 2020.

    The objectives supported by TIME COUNTS

     

    Tackling global water issues and improving the living conditions of some of the most vulnerable populations around the world.

     

    In the wake of COVID-19, there’s never been more pressure on the global community to address water issues. Handwashing being one of the most important behaviors to decrease the propagation of all kinds of viruses, it goes without saying that safe water needs to be accessible. Unfortunately, over 2.2 billion people lack access to safe water at home.

     

    All net proceeds from the TIME COUNTS charitable initiative will go to improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable populations around the world by providing sustainable access to safe water and encouraging the adoption of healthy hygiene behaviors.

     

    TIME COUNTS will also enable One Drop and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation to fund a large-scale program resulting from a joint call for proposals launched earlier this year by both foundations. Applicant organizations have submitted projects to improve resilience and ensure sustainable and equitable access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services for communities in need, with particular emphasis placed on issues affecting extremely poor and marginalized populations. The final selection will be announced in early 2021.

     

    Together, let’s make the world a more sustainable place for all.

     

    Phillips will remit to One Drop and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation the net proceeds from the Buyer’s premium.

     

     

    The One Drop Foundation

     

     

    One Drop is an international foundation created by Cirque du Soleil and Lune Rouge founder Guy Laliberté, with the vision of a better world where all have access to living conditions that allow empowerment and development. Its mission is to ensure sustainable access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene for the most vulnerable communities through innovative partnerships, creativity and the power of art. Together with its partners, One Drop brings its unique Social Art for Behaviour Change™ approach to promote the adoption of healthy practices around water, sanitation and hygiene through locally inspired social art programs, empowering the communities to take ownership of the water projects over time. For this to be possible, One Drop creates novel fundraising initiatives supported by a visionary community of partners and donors. One Drop counts over 12 years of turning water into action with projects that will soon have transformed the lives of over 2.1 million people around the world.

     

    Onedrop.org

     

    ©Philippe Mondielli – FPA2

     

    The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

     

    Caption

     

    Inspired by his own observations and in the light of the alarming scientific evidence, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco made a personal commitment by launching, in 2006, his Foundation to act against the environmental dangers threatening our planet and making populations vulnerable. The Foundation focuses its efforts on three principal domains of action: climate change, biodiversity and water resources, and funds initiatives in the fields of research and studies, technological innovation and socially aware practices. In order to take action for the protection of nature, the Foundation supports projects in three main geographical regions: the Mediterranean Basin, the Polar Regions and the Least Developed Countries.


    www.fpa2.org

    • Manufacturer: Jaeger-LeCoultre
      Year: Circa 1965
      Movement No: 1'574'239
      Material: 18K pink gold
      Calibre: Automatic, cal. K881
      Bracelet/Strap: Leather
      Dimensions: 32mm Diameter
      Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
      Accessories: Accompanied by Drawing of U2 lyrics, The First Time. By Bono, 2020, and signed letter by Bono.

    • Catalogue Essay

      The 20th century was a period of horological firsts from truly modern wristwatches, to the introduction of “tool” watches, to the golden age of mechanical watchmaking with some of the most iconic wristwatches ever produced. Technological innovation was in demand, and along with complicated wristwatches like perpetual calendar chronograph watches with moon phase, Swiss makers continued to produce classic gentleman’s wristwatches that were cherished both for their form and function. By the 1950s, many brands were introducing practical, self-winding watches with date, and these elegant men’s timepieces enjoyed enormous popularity.

      The present Jaeger-LeCoultre from the 1960s features their in-house caliber K881 introduced in 1959. It was Jaeger-LeCoultre’s first self-winding movement featuring a centrally-mounted, 360-degree winding rotor. Jaeger-LeCoultre began production of automatic movements in 1947 with a bumper system, and continued to improve upon it with the K881 becoming one of their most important, with elements of its design still in use today.

      This lovely 18 karat pink gold Jaeger-LeCoultre stands out with its remarkable provenance. It was given by Bono, of the Irish rock band, U2, to his father, Brendan Robert Hewson. In his own words, he wasn't an easy man to give anything to. Since his father's passing, Bono kept this timepiece with him. This lot has been generously donated by Bono to benefit the missions of One Drop and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

    • 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

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A fine pink gold waterproof wristwatch with signed letter, and Drawing of U2 lyrics, The First Time. By Bono, 2020, donated by Bono to benefit One Drop and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

Circa 1965
32mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Full Cataloguing

Estimate
$1,000 - 2,000 
CHF42,400-42,400
€39,200-39,200
HK$372,000-372,000

Sold for $60,480

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas & International Strategy Advisor
Senior Vice President
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

Racing Pulse

New York Auction 12 December 2020