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 this more common round cased version and the less common small rectangular cased one.

Today's offering showcases one of these very desirable watches. We were fortunate to acquire it in all-original condition down to the dial, hands, and even winding crown.

Its full size, attractive case is in excellent condition, better than most with only light wear and no gold wear through.

Its silver dial with its cut outs for displaying the month, day, and moonphase, is original and untouched and has warmed to a light sepia tone 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. After 60 years, it is still keeping time and all calendar functions work correctly.

For the finishing touch we have equipped it with a new crocodile strap 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.: 612,150
• Model: Triple Date Calendar with Moon Phase
• Case material: 10K gold filled
• Case markings (outside): 10K Gold Filled D & A
• Case markings (inside): Cased and timed in U.S.A. by LeCoultre, 354086
• Case condition: Near mint condition with light wear and a couple of short scratches on the back. No wear through of the gold.
• Dimensions: 35mm wide (excluding crown), 41mm long lug tip-to-tip
• Dial: Two-tone silver, gold applique Arabic indexes, blue outer date track, apertures for day, date, month, and moon phases, subdials in English, original and untouched, very good condition with fairly light even aging and warming to a sepia tone
• Hands: Original, gold, dauphine with red arrow-tipped silver date hand
• Movement type: Cal. 486/AW, tonneau shaped, rhodium plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, flat balance spring
• Movement markings: LeCoultre, Swiss, 486/AW
• Band: Crocodile, fully stitched, padded, 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: Acrylic, excellent condition
• 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