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 original condition down to the dial, hour and minute hands, and even winding crown.

Its full size, attractive case is in excellent condition, nicer than many with only light wear and light gold wear through.

Its silver dial with its cut outs for displaying the month, day, and moonphase, is original and untouched and has developed a slight tropical finish giving it a true vintage look. And its unusual, rectangular, highly-complicated Jaeger-LeCoultre movement is clean.

One of our Master Watchmakers has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, replacing the escape wheel with a new correct one, correcting a previous incorrect adjustment to the moonphase, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $1995 value).

After 60 years, all calendar functions work correctly. We have also timed it on a machine that simulates it being worn on the wrist. It is keeping very accurate time.

For the finishing touch, we have equipped it with a new Teju lizard strap making it ready for immediate enjoyment.

Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function and a full-page custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity.

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 extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.

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.: 6xx,xxx
Model: Triple Date Calendar with Moon Phase
Function: Hours, Minutes, Day, Date, Month, Moon Phases, Subsidiary Seconds
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
Case condition: Excellent condition, nicer than many with only light wear and light gold wear through.
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
Hands: Original hour and minute, gold, "batons", likely period seconds hand, 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: Java lizard, remborde, brand new and unworn. We also stock lizard and a variety of other 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 Master Watchmakers has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, replacing the escape wheel with a new correct one, correcting a previous incorrect adjustment to the moonphase, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $1995 value).
Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. We have also timed it on a machine that simulates it being worn on the wrist. It is keeping very accurate time.
Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details. 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 extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.
Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity
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

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