In 1949, Jaeger-LeCoultre released to the world its first complicated rectangular movement powered watch featuring an astronomic readout. Unusual even by today's standards in its complications fitted into a small rectangular movement, it could display the month, date, and day of the week along with the phases of the moon. It is a display of amazing precision that can be worn everyday.

The company only produced 5,000 examples of the movement. 500 were for the European market, and the remaining 4,500 made for the U.S. market and were split between common round cased version and the less common small rectangular cased one.

While most of the round cased examples were made with 10K gold filled cases, this uncommon example is one of the solid 14K gold watches.

Today's offering showcases one of these very desirable watches.

Its full size, attractive case is in excellent condition. Its silver dial with its cut outs for displaying the month, day, and moonphase, has a pleasing design and has slightly warmed giving it a true vintage look. And its unusual, rectangular, highly-complicated Jaeger-LeCoultre movement is clean.

One of our watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it and installed a brand new mineral crystal to give a clear view of the dial to its edges. After 60 years, it is still keeping time and all calendar functions work correctly.

For the finishing touch we have detailed it making it ready for immediate enjoyment.

Included with the purchase is a full one-year international warranty, a Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate attesting to the watch's performance.

Complicated LeCoultre watches:
Usually when things are complicated, it means more stress, more work, and more effort, but in the end, it's worth it. The same holds true for vintage wristwatches, where gifted artisans and engineers from years gone by labored months and years to create complicated timepieces that transcend art and talent. When it comes to vintage wristwatches, the highest realms of respect and value are reserved for these watches that do much more than merely tell time.

• Manufacturer: Jaeger-LeCoultre
• Country of origin: Switzerland, made for the U.S. market
• Year built: c. 1949
• Serial no.: 618,231
• Model: Triple Date Calendar with Moon Phase
• Case material: 14K Gold
• Case markings (outside): 14K Gold D & A
• Case markings (inside): Cased and timed in U.S.A. by LeCoultre, 92924
• Case condition: Excellent condition with light wear and one very light small indention on the back. It has not been overly polished - the printing is still strong.
• Dimensions: 35mm wide (excluding crown), 41mm long lug tip-to-tip
• Dial: Two-tone silver, gold applique Arabic indexes, printing in blue, outer date track, apertures for day, month, and moon phases, subdials in English, appears to be a period restoration, light natural aging. Note the dial appears much less aged than the photos seem to suggest
• Hands: Original, gold, batons with red arrow-tipped silver date hand
• Movement type: Cal. 486/AW, tonneau shaped, rhodium plated, "fausses cttes" decoration, 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, flat balance spring
• Movement markings: LeCoultre, Swiss, 486/AW
• Band: Leather, fully stitched, brand new and unworn. We also stock lizard and a variety of others straps in various prints, skins, and colors. Please ask us if you're interested.
• Width between lugs: 16mm
• Crystal type: Mineral glass, new-old-stock
• Serviced: One of our watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
• Timing: Timed on a state-of-the-art computerized system. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts.
• Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details.
• Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
• Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide