Jaeger-LeCoultre Mark 11 'White Twelve' R.A.F. Issue
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Why We Love it
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Why We Love it
–The original British Ministry of Defence specification describes the Mark 11 in wonderfully blunt terms: “The wrist watch Mk. 11 is a highly accurate time piece suitable for astro-navigation purposes.” And that, honestly, is the entire point. This is not a military watch designed to look rugged. It is a precision instrument designed to keep an aircraft from getting lost.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Mark 11 was used by navigators in R.A.F. (Royal Air Force) planes in conjunction with a bubble sextant to calculate latitude and longitude, following the same core principle sailors relied upon after John Harrison’s marine chronometer transformed navigation in the 18th century. When your position in the sky depends on timekeeping, the watch stops being an accessory and becomes equipment.
The Mark 11 is arguably the most iconic British military wristwatch ever made, and it was only supplied by two firms: IWC and Jaeger-LeCoultre. Of the two, JLC produced just 2,900 pieces, making this one of the rarest and most desirable true-issue military watches. Even more significant is what’s inside: Jaeger-LeCoultre created a special movement reserved exclusively for this model, the Calibre 488 SBr. A later derivative of the 488 would go on to power the Geophysic, JLC’s flagship statement watch of the 1950s, which tells you everything you need to know about the quality level here.
This was the pinnacle of manually-wound tool watches, and it remains widely regarded as having one of the finest movements ever supplied to the military. It’s also one of the earliest wristwatches designed from scratch to be anti-magnetic, engineered for the harsh electromagnetic environment of an aircraft cockpit. Both the dial and movement are protected by a thick iron “Faraday cage” system, with an iron dial and an iron dust cover enclosing the movement to shield it from magnetism and preserve chronometer-grade performance.
The design is as pure as military watchmaking gets: a matte black dial with bold white 'Arabic' numerals, the military pheon ('broad arrow') marking it as MoD (Ministry of Defence) property, and the correct original handset, with luminous plots at 12, 3, 6, and 9 and remaining lume in the hands. Only 500 MK11's were produced with white 12 o'clock indices before the RAF spec added the radium triangle instead, adding to the scarcity and provenance.
Shatterproof Plexiglas, a stainless steel housing, and correct military engravings on the caseback complete the wonderful paclage. These watches were considered valuable enough to be maintained under an exacting service schedule, initially returned annually for inspection and testing to ensure they still met the original specification. Possibly no other military wristwatch was treated with that level of seriousness.
At 35mm, with a 17.5mm strap width, the Mark 11 wears with quiet authority. What makes it special is the combination of chronometer-grade performance and minimal, almost austere design. It’s horological understatement at the highest level, produced in tiny numbers, with a devoted following for good reason. A revolutionary piece of kit for the R.A.F. — and a foundational icon for military watch collecting worldwide.
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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Brand Story
+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.
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
+
A:S Guarantee
+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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Shipping & Returns
+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 Mark 11 'White Twelve' R.A.F. Issue
- Regular price
- $12,950
- Regular price
- Sale price
- $12,950
- Unit price
- per
