Jaeger LeCoultre Deep Sea Alarm U.S. Edition

Founder's Select

You either see these beat to snot, or over-restored. This one's got great case lines and is an absolutely beautiful Alarm.

-James Lamdin

Design. Provenance. Rarity.

A horological 'triple-threat' is exactly what we have here in the form of the Jaeger LeCoultre Deep Sea Alarm. But what is a Deep Sea Alarm, you ask? At its core, it's a problem-solving watch: In lieu of a rotating dive bezel used to time the length of a dive, it uses a mechanical alarm that's audible under water. (Don't dive? It times eggs just as well — and with plenty of style!)

But back to the idea of rarity. First, you should understand there are two versions of the 'DSA' — one for the European market, and one for the American market — with this first-gen American-market dial being the rarer of the two. Secondly, with less than 950 examples made over its two-year production run for both the U.S. and European market versions, these are very rare birds, indeed.

Housed in a an honest 40mm stainless steel case with an incredible 'ghosted' bezel featuring luminous 12, 3, 6, and 9 markers and white 'Arabic' indices, this example features twin unsigned crowns, which is correct for this model. The matte black 'tuxedo' dial with an Art Deco-inspired, radial outer track bears the 'LeCoultre' and stylized 'Deep Sea Alarm Automatic' text, indicating that it was produced for the U.S. market.

The luminous 'syringe' handset, meanwhile, add pops of color. And while the bezel insert has patinated beautifully, the dial itself is wonderfully preserved considering its age, with the interplay of these two components netting out to an attractive and irresistible whole.

Like many examples of purpose-built tool watches, this Automatic Diving Alarm was used, and bears the marks of a watch that served it purpose, having accumulated the kind of patina that we at Analog:Shift love. (An icon in the JLC cannon, the DSA was reissued in 2011, and even those have also gone on to become collectable.)

Powered by a self-winding Calibre 815 bumper movement and paired to an anthracite Tropic rubber dive strap with a signed JLC pin buckle, this piece has received a full factory mechanical service from JLC and is humming along absolutely beautifully. A single-owner watch, it was worn for a decade by an Air Force officer who received it as a gift from his parents in 1960 before being retired to a drawer for several more decades — until it was brought to us, that is. 

Not many opportunities come up to snag an absolute historical, horological, and military treasure. In absolutely pristine, as-found condition — which is something you just don't see — it's a thing of tool-watch beauty. Pounce on this one before it takes off like an F-86 Sabre!

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.