Vintage Watches UK

Description

It is becoming popular again for watch manufacturers to include a ‘Power Reserve Indicator’* on some of their more sophisticated automatic watches. And fantastically useful they are too, in allowing one to know when a watch is running low on power. This helps avoid unnecessary winding of a watch, simply because one feels it may be running low on power. Conversely, it also encourages one to wind the watch when it is running out of power, avoiding the watch stopping and losing track of time. Note – winding automatic movements helps to maintain the performance of a watch because a movement is generally better at maintaining its accuracy when it is fully wound, or at least two thirds fully wound.

*A Power Reserve Indicator (originally called Réserve de Marche), is a ‘complication’ of a watch, designed to show the amount of remaining stored energy has left. The power reserve indicator indicates the power contained in the mainspring at any particular moment and is one of the most useful mechanical watch complications.

Introduced in late 1948, the Calibre 481 evolved from the very first automatic movement from Jaeger-LeCoultre, the JLC Calibre 476. Like the Cal. 476, the Cal. 481 features a bumper winding mechanism, meaning the rotor bounces between springs in an arc of around 270 degrees. The JLC Cal. 481 was the first watch from Jaeger-LeCoultre with a power reserve meter and although the movement has been considerably updated, the product line has continued today, along with the names Powermatic and Reserve De Marche.

Here we have a beautifully preserved and lightly used 1956 vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre Powermatic Cal.481 in stainless steel. This watch has been fully restored by ourselves to the very highest standards and as can be seen from the photographs, it is in totally immaculate condition. Produced in 1956, this one of the later vintage Powermatics, free from early bugs and growing pains, as the Powermatic was first released in late 1948.

Even though is this one of the earliest Jaeger-LeCoultre automatic watches, it is an exceedingly accurate and highly reliable timepiece, which is perfectly useable and practical today.

The Dial

We think Jaeger-LeCoultre, along with Longines, have made some of the most beautiful dials. They are characterised by simple effortless elegance which somehow always looks ‘just right’.

The example here has a sympathetically restored dial, restored by our professional dial-restorers, considered the best in the UK at their craft! A dial of this age will suffer from fading, staining, pitting, spotting and scratches, so we had the dial restored to rejuvenate the watch to the like-new condition you see it in here.

This model was made for the U.K. market and hence the dial is signed ‘Jaeger-LeCoultre’ rather than sometimes seen ‘LeCoultre’ which was used only in the U.S. market. This beautiful silver white dial carries applied ‘Breguet’ numerals which are matched with the original restored ‘Index’ hands.

The Powermatic dial has a Power Reserve indicator which reads ’40’ on a white background when it is fully wound or ‘charged’, indicating the watch’s 40hr power reserve. As this runs down, the meter not only continues to indicate the power level or ‘charge’, but the background changes to red as the charge falls below 10 hours. This information was perhaps more important in the early days of automatic watches, as other early examples produced by other manufacturers were not so reliable and did not have such a large power reserve. However, this is a very useful feature to have, even today.

The lens is clear having been replaced with a new original.

The Case

Jaeger-LeCoultre Powermatics are rare and very desirable within their fan-base, especially in a condition such as this.

The stainless-steel example here has a 33mm diameter case, excluding the slightly recessed crown. This case has the most beautiful ‘bullhorn’ lugs which significantly add to the presence of the watch on the wrist.

The watch case is in immaculate condition with no scratches, dings or damage visible to the naked eye. The inside of the case is correctly signed ‘LeCoultre Co’, ‘Swiss’ with the case number 699396 on the case exterior.

Please note – our standard advice applies: Vintage Watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Movement

The watch carries its original Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 481, 17 Jewel movement which is in tip-top condition following a thorough overhaul and service by our vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre specialist watchmaker. This means the movement has been completely disassembled, cleaned, inspected and rebuilt using only original parts where required before careful calibration and testing. Upon return to stock, the watch is now running to within -15 seconds per day, which is outstanding for any vintage watch of this age! A tweak of a minute or so may be required on a fortnightly basis, if one is very picky about the accuracy of their timepiece. When fully wound, this movement has a 40-hour power reserve. It has been very well maintained and cared for and as can be seen, the movement is in sparkling condition.

The movement is signed ‘Jaeger-LeCoultre’ ‘Automatic’ with the Calibre No. 481, along with ’17 Jewels’, ‘Swiss’ and the movement serial number 1181157. This serial number dates this watch to 1956.

These movements are strong, accurate and very reliable, making it completely practical and appropriate for regular everyday use. As the photographs show, this particular movement is in top condition and with regular servicing, every 3 years we fully expect this watch to run very happily for many more decades to come!

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the full list price is paid.

Strap & Buckle

This watch is fitted with a new black lizard leather strap which compliments the silver dial and stainless-steel case very nicely, bringing it into a formal space. The strap is fitted with a matching steel buckle. If a different strap would be preferred, I can fit a 16mm strap provided by the buyer at no extra expense.

Conclusion

I'm a private seller, not a company so unfortunately returns aren't an option, unless of course the watch is broken when it arrives. I may ship 1-2 days after I receive payment, as I work full-time, and may not find time to get the package away immediately.

Feel free to ask any questions.

Offers Welcome!