Jaeger-LeCoultre - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: FOUR Hong Kong Monday, May 29, 2017 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Jaeger-LeCoultre
    Year: 1968
    Movement No: 36'892
    Case No: 1'122'670
    Model Name: Bijouterie Genève
    Material: Platinum and diamonds
    Calibre: Mechanical, 101, 19 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Platinum and diamond-set Jaeger LeCoultre bracelet, 165 mm. maximum length
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum and diamond-set Jaeger LeCoultre concealed clasp
    Dimensions: 6 mm. width
    Signed: Case and movement signed
    Accessories: With Jaeger LeCoultre Extract from Archives confirming production of the present watch with approximately 8 carats of diamonds in 1968 and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present watch is not just a beautiful piece of jewelry - it also represents a very important horological innovation. Housing the caliber 101, it's fitted with the world's smallest mechanical movement.

    In the early part of the 20th century, it was unseemly for a woman to wear a watch during formal or night time events. To address this problem, LeCoultre created the caliber 101 in 1929, housing the movement in a variety of diamond and gem-set cases and bracelets, lending the watch an air of elegance and glamour. Hence, a woman could tell the time while abiding to etiquette.

    The most famous caliber 101 lady's watch is Queen Elizabeth's bracelet watch, which she wore for her coronation and is very similar in appearance to the present example.

    This watch is encrusted with baguette-cut diamonds, weighing approximately 8.0 carats in total. Cased in platinum, it features two strong hallmarks attesting to the excellent condition of the watch.

  • 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.

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1041

A lady's rare, thin and attractive platinum and diamond-set bracelet watch

1968
6 mm. width
Case and movement signed

Estimate
HK$240,000 - 400,000 
€28,900-48,200
$30,000-50,000

Sold for HK$275,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: FOUR

Hong Kong Auction 30 May 2017