BIRMINGHAM, UK – Fellows will offer a rare, early and historically important Jaeger-LeCoultre Perpetual Calendar wristwatch (estimate £15,000-£20,000) in the upcoming Watch Sale on Dec. 1.
The movement, based on the 11U caliber used in early Reverso models, is signed Jaeger-LeCoultre, and the 18K gold case has punch marks for Edmond Jaeger with import marks for Geneva and for London 1938.
LiveAuctioneers.com will facilitate absentee and Internet live bidding.
Fellows Auctioneers exhibited choice lots from their December auction at London’s Saatchi Gallery as part of Salon QP on Nov. 12-14, where there was interest especially in this early Jaeger-LeCoultre model.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre brand name was first used in 1937. Until then the watches were either LeCoultre or Jaeger. To mark this, “a superb rectangular wristwatch calendar [that] celebrates the official birth of Jaeger-LeCoultre” was produced, according to History of Jaeger-LeCoultre (thewatchquote.com).
While the relationship of this particular watch to that piece is not confirmed, it should be noted that the production of a Jaeger-LeCoultre-signed full perpetual calendar this early would have been a significant undertaking and not part of standard production.
Adrian Hailwood, Fellows director and watch specialist said, “Rare watches such as the Jaeger-LeCoultre perpetual calendar shed more light into the lesser known parts of watchmaking history.”
For specialist information regarding this lot, contact Hailwood at 0121 212 6304 or email adrian@fellows.co.uk.
