An eighteen carat yellow gold Jaeger LeCoultre dress watch. This is perhaps the flagship three hand model from one of the world's greatest horologists since their inception, many would argue. These large format high quality teardrop lug watches are rare to find today in such untouched fully original condition. Made in the 1946, not only is this a very handsome watch, the case is a very large format for the time, measuring around 35.5mm, a veritable giant for the time. The watch also shares the same case as the iconic triple calendar that JLC produced around the same period.

The condition of the watch is NOT one would expect to find them from having been made eighty one years ago. The immaculate case is unpolished. The stamped Swiss hallmarks are present on both the lug and side of the case, along with the case serial number on the case back. The original crown is fitted.  The dial is all original and also presented in perfect condition. So many of these dials have been re-finished over the years, that even finding original examples these days is very rare. The handset is not original to the watch. 

The watch is powered by the Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 450/4C manually wound mvoement. Introduced in 1940, the Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 450 was developed during an important period in the manufacture’s history. Measuring 12½ lignes (approximately 28.25mm) in diameter and 4.5mm thick, it was a robust and versatile movement that would see use in military wristwatches during the Second World War before finding its way into the elegant dress watches of the late 1940s and 1950s.

The P450/4C represents a development of the original caliber, incorporating the Parechoc shock-protection system, identified by the letter P in its designation. Manufactured in Le Sentier, Switzerland, Parechoc was designed to protect the delicate balance staff against the shocks encountered during everyday wear. The additional 4C designation identifies a subsequent technical revision of the movement. Operating at 18,000 vibrations per hour, the caliber offers a power reserve of approximately 40 hours.

The P450/4C is particularly attractive for its traditional movement architecture and carefully executed finishing. Its bridges, polished screws and decorative treatment reflect Jaeger-LeCoultre’s considerable expertise in movement manufacture. Found in references including the 2953, 2975 and 2983, the caliber illustrates the transition from the practical requirements of wartime watchmaking to the more refined civilian wristwatches of the postwar years. It remains an excellent example of the mechanical quality and engineering that established Jaeger-LeCoultre as one of Switzerland’s most respected movement manufacturers.

Overall, this watch is a rare example to own a large format, clean, original time only watch from one of the greatest watch houses to ever make watches. Sometimes simplicity is best. I can think if very few better examples of that than this watch.

The service history of the watch is unknown. There is no original box or paperwork with the watch.