Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 12, 2013

LOT 294

JAEGER LECOULTRE GEOPHYSIC CHRONOMETER STEEL Jaeger-LeCoultre, ?Geophysic, Chronometre?, movement No. 1276496, case No. 748037. Made in 1958. Very fine and extremely rare, water-resistant, anti-magnetic to 600 Gauss, indirect center seconds, stainless steel chronometer wristwatch.

CHF 7,000 - 9,000

HKD 58,000 - 74,000 / USD 7,500 - 9,500

Sold: CHF 10,000

C. Two-body, polished and brushed, lapidated lugs, inclined bezel, dust cap, screwed down case back. D. Off-white with applied steel baton indexes and Arabic 12 and 6, outer minute/second divisions. Luminous steel epee hands. M. Cal. P478/BWSbr, rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, lateral lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to five positions and to temperatures, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, parachute shock absorber, hack mechanism, swan-neck regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. DIAM. 35 mm. THICKNESS 10 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-8

Good

Slightly scratched
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-6-01

Good

Slightly oxidized

HANDS Original

Notes

1957 ?1958 was designated International Geophysical Year. This was an international scientific effort in which 67 countries took part in making observations and carrying out experiments in various aspects of the earth sciences such as seismology, electromagnetism, glaciology, radioactivity and solar activity. The Jaeger LeCoultre ?Geophysic? wristwatch was inspired by the Geophysical Year. To publicise the effort, watches were given to the crew of the the wUS Nautilus, the first nuclear powered submarine, after its trip under the North Pole in 1958. This watch was made to be anti-magnetic to 600 Gauss to combat the effect of magnetic fields that could disturb the timekeeping qualities of the watch. 1038 pieces were made in stainless steel and 30 in gold.