Jaeger-LeCoultre Geomatic

Regular price
$8,750
Regular price
Sale price
$8,750
REF E398
Automatic-winding
36 MM
– Show less
SKU AS11473
Article Number 40980140
ref E398
case size 36 MM
movement Automatic-winding
approximate age 1960s
dial color Silver
material Yellow Gold
style Dress
category Vintage
bracelet Leather
lug width 18 MM
Includes Brown leather strap with gold-tone buckle. Also includes Jaeger-LeCoultre: The Ultimate Guide For The Collector by Zaf Basha.
overall condition Very good condition overall. Case shows very light wear consistent with age. Dial shows patina throughout. Handset shows minor oxidation.
REF E398
Automatic-winding
36 MM
– Show less
SKU AS11473
Article Number 40980140
ref E398
case size 36 MM
movement Automatic-winding
approximate age 1960s
dial color Silver
material Yellow Gold
style Dress
category Vintage
bracelet Leather
lug width 18 MM
Includes Brown leather strap with gold-tone buckle. Also includes Jaeger-LeCoultre: The Ultimate Guide For The Collector by Zaf Basha.
overall condition Very good condition overall. Case shows very light wear consistent with age. Dial shows patina throughout. Handset shows minor oxidation.

Why We Love it

To discerning collectors, the name Jaeger LeCoultre is synonymous with beautiful designs and marvelously dependable movements. With its fair share of truly iconic pieces — the Reverso, the Deep Sea Alarm, the Memovox, the Geophysic and the Mark XI, to name a few — JLC has managed to have its finger on both the pulse of the technological and that of the aesthetic, a feat that is rivaled only by a short list of Swiss manufactures.

To make matters more impressive, during WWII, Jaeger LeCoultre was one of only a few Swiss manufactures that continued designing and producing consumer-grade timepieces alongside mil-spec aviation wristwatches, plus a wide array of gauges and cockpit timers and clocks. In fact, it was during the war years that JLC developed the Étache, the first square case that offered water resistance comparable to Rolex's Oyster case design.

This particular JLC is an excellent example of the brand's striking mid-20th century designs. JLC insisted on being at the cutting edge of the automatic movement revolution, and the Geomatic line, marketed as technically advanced sports/ scientific pieces, played a big role in this story in the 1960s.

This piece, a gold Geomatic, was one of the first to feature a chronometer-certified movement, the Calibre K881G. This watch was extensively tested, and as one of the early automatics to hit the market for general production, it was extremely capable. The Geomatic launched in 1962 in gold and steel, and this gold variant is in extremely clean condition. All told, only a couple-thousand of these were made across all metals.

If you love history and vintage watches, don't miss out on this an extremely clean example of a design that truly impacted the trajectory of JLC — and the industry at large. 

This spectacular piece comes from the collection of Zaf Basha, a noted authority on Jaeger-LeCoultre who has published two books: Vintage Military Watches: A Guide for the Collector and Jaeger-LeCoultre: The Ultimate Guide for the Collector. Over the years, Basha put together one of the most impressive assemblages of vintage JLC timepieces in the world, and we're thrilled and honor to offer many of them for sale on Analog:Shift. 

Brand Story

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Few watchmaking concerns are as storied as Jaeger-LeCoultre. Though the maison is not technically a member of the “Holy Trinity” of Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Vacheron Constantin, one could easily make the argument that it should be: After all, it was JLC that supplied movements to Patek from the beginning of the 20th century through the early 30s.

Founded in 1833 by Antoine LeCoutlre in Le Sentier, Switzerland, the firm became the Jaeger-LeCoultre we know today when it merged with Parisian watchmaker Edmond Jaeger’s business in 1937. The two horological concerns collaborated on numerous projects before cementing their partnership, the most important of which was no doubt the Reverso. A sport watch with a reversible case, this ingenious timepiece was designed to offer protection to the watch dial — when engaged in sport or otherwise dangerous activity, the wearer would simply flip the case over, exposing its back to the world, rather than the vulnerable crystal.

But the Reverso is far from the only significant timepiece brought to market by JLC: The firm also produced the world’s thinnest pocket watch in 1907, powered by the Caliber 145. In 1929, the maison released the Caliber 101, still today the smallest mechanical movement. (Queen Elizabeth II wore a Caliber 101-equipped wristwatch to her coronation in 1953.) And perhaps no other watchmaker is world-renowned for their production of a clock in the way that JLC is famous for the Atmos. Invented by Jean-Léon Reutter, it’s powered by miniscule changes in atmospheric pressure — Edmon Jaeger acquired the patent and licensed it beginning in 1936. The Atmos is still produced in numerous forms today, and remains the Swiss government’s foremost diplomatic gift.

From classic, near-centuries old designs like the Reverso and the Atmos to modern über-complications such as the brilliant Master Gyrotourbillon, Jaeger-LeCoultre remains on the cutting edge of horological technology nearly two centuries after its founding.

A:S Guarantee

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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.

Shipping & Returns

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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.

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Jaeger-LeCoultre Geomatic

Jaeger-LeCoultre Geomatic

Regular price
$8,750
Regular price
Sale price
$8,750
Jaeger-LeCoultre Geomatic