Watches — much like cars, art, or fine wine — offer an endless source of fascination.
Whether one approaches them through a historical, micro-mechanical, aesthetic, or other lens, there’s no denying that the Swiss-designed rabbit hole runs deep, providing the potential for decades of exploration…and even obsession. For those inclined to pursue the horological hobby to its logical conclusion, this naturally leads to collecting — the physical accumulation of best-in-class examples of favorite models, references, and brands.
Zaf Basha could only ever have collected one brand, and that brand is La Grande Maison, Jaeger-LeCoultre. A longtime watch lover and author of Vintage Military Wristwatches (a hefty, 624-page tome), he’s also the force behind Jaeger-LeCoultre, The Ultimate Guide for the Collector (the sequel to a book published in 2008). To say that he knows JLC better than perhaps any collector on Earth seems like a gross understatement. At 405 pages filled to the brim with photographs, advertisements, and tables, his book reads like the life’s work of a man for whom La Grande Maison means everything.
…and indeed it does.
Much like the closing of one of the chapters in his book, however — more on that later — there comes a time in each collector’s life when the collection has fulfilled its purpose. To that end, Mr. Basha has entrusted Analog:Shift with the sale of roughly 30 precious vintage pieces spanning the history of Jaeger-LeCoultre from the 1930s through the late 1960s. From spectacular triple-calendars produced during the height of the Second World War to incredible examples of the beloved Memovox alarm watch, Basha’s collection conveys a love for La Grand Maison that’s difficult to quantify in terms of dollars, movement components, or number of complications. To put it succinctly, this collection represents a life’s work, and we’re proud to offer it on Analog:Shift.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Ref. 2933 that Basha inherited from his grandfather. (Page 368)
“When I was about five or six, my grandfather would let me play with his watches and fountain pens. A few years later, when I was old enough to understand, we agreed that JLC had the best movements — along with Vacheron, though I only ever saw him wear JLC,” Basha explains. “I inherited his JLC, which appears in the book toward the end, and that sort of launched the collecting journey. Along with his love of the brand, I did actually discover on my own that the movements were quite nice. Since then, I’ve focused on watches with fine movements rather than on something stylish with an industrially made or third-party movement.”
Basha’s love of best-in-class movements shows through in his collection. Each watch — from a late-1940s R.A.F.-issued Mark 11 to a 1950s U.S.-market triple-register chronograph — offers a glimpse into the two centuries of history that pervade Jaeger-LeCoultre and its command of the Vallée de Joux. With a particular focus on complications, Basha’s curated selection of rare and highly desirable pieces spans the most horologically compelling decades of the 20th century, recalling a time when watches were well sized, beautifully designed tools meant to perform a specific function.
Jaeger-LeCoultre, The Ultimate Guide For The Collector
Furthermore, each watch in the collection will ship with a copy of Jaeger-LeCoultre, The Ultimate Guide for the Collector. Printed in the U.S.A. by Signature Book Printing and presented in a special red and gold embossed cover that mimics the vintage Geophysic jubilee box, it details the history of some of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s most splendid watches — not to mention many specific examples from Basha’s collection currently on sale via Analog:Shift, such as the incredible 1940s calendar watches. “I think JLC of the era did better in the elegance and dress realm than in the sports realm,” says Basha. “Those watches fit that segment perfectly. Any example in rose gold — or in steel with rose markers — gets noticed. Anyone who loves high-grade movements rather than sports-watch hype becomes your friend instantly.”
From its discussion of JLC’s early history to the detailed reproduction of vintage advertisements; from its painstakingly assembled tables of serial and caliber numbers to its carefully sourced imagery, Jaeger-LeCoultre, The Ultimate Guide for the Collector is truly one of the best resources on JLC available anywhere in the world. “The second edition is a massive upgrade,” says Basha. “It is double the size of the original. It takes everything the first one did to the next level — much better photography, more models, more facts, more period advertisements, more movement sheets, etc.”
Check out some of our favorite watches from the Definitive Vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre Collection below, and peruse the entire collection here. Chances are strong that you’ll never see another JLC-focused collection quite like it again.
Mark 11 ‘White Twelve’
Mark 11 'White Twelve' - IN THE SHOP
This example of the famed Mark 11 pilot’s watch is one of the earliest executions from 1948, the first year of production. Its white 12 o’clock index differentiates it from later examples — and makes it extremely rare, with only roughly 500 pieces produced before JLC switched to a radium-filled triangular marker.
Triple Date 18K Pink Gold Salmon Dial
Triple Date 18K Pink Gold Salmon Dial - IN THE SHOP
Housed in a 35mm pink gold case with splendid ‘claw’ lugs, this gorgeous triple-date piece proves one thing: That not even the Second World War could come between JLC and the production of breathtaking timepieces. Fitted with a spectacular salmon-colored dial, it features apertures for the day of the week and the month, plus a radial date display around its periphery.
Geomatic 18K Yellow Gold
Geomatic 18K Yellow Gold - IN THE SHOP
Dating to the late 1960s, this simple yet highly capable watch heralded the introduction of automatic movements within the JLC oeuvre. Housed in a 36mm yellow gold case with a beautiful medallion on its screw-down caseback and a simple silver dial, it’s powered by the Calibre K881G with 23 jewels and was sold in the European market.
Memovox Alarm Automatic Date with Bracelet
Memovox Alarm Automatic Date with Bracelet - IN THE SHOP
Finding a Memovox alarm watch in spectacular condition is difficult enough — finding one in spectacular condition complete with its correct Gay Frères bracelet, however, is a rare horological-archaeological triumph. This Reference E855 — fitted with a handsome silver dial and powered by the automatic Calibre K825 — dates to circa 1965.
