Of the many luxurious ladies watches Jaeger-LeCoultre manufactured during vintage times, the diamond bejewelled backwind models were the prestigous company's top-of-the-line offerings for women, often costing the equivalent of well over $10,000 in today's valuation.

Besides representing the state-of-the-art in miniaturization technology, they also possessed the greatest level of artistic refinement, concealing their winding crowns beneath the case back to avoid disrupting the watch's perfect purity and full symmetry.

The gorgeous ladies wristwatch featured in today's offering is a pleasing example of one of JLC's backwind watches. Unlike most of vintage ladies LeCoultre watches found in the States which were made for the U.S. market, this is a true Swiss creation, fully made and assembled at the JLC factory in Vallie de Joux.

At first glance, this is a beautifully restrained little 18K gold Jaeger-LeCoultre. Turn it over and its real personality appears. Instead of interrupting the side of the case with a conventional crown, Jaeger-LeCoultre placed the winding control on the back, where a broad gear-edged wheel winds the movement from the rear. Viewed from the front, the result is unusually pure and symmetrical, with nothing projecting from either side of the tiny gold case.

The lovely 18K yellow gold case has an elegant, softly rounded profile and long lugs that give the watch a bit more presence than its petite dimensions would suggest. Its proportions are beautifully balanced, and the absence of a conventional side crown leaves the case with an unusually clean, uninterrupted silhouette.

That solution belongs naturally to one of Jaeger-LeCoultre's great historic strengths: miniaturization. Long before ultra-small mechanical watches became a novelty, the Manufacture had made the problem of fitting serious watchmaking into ever smaller spaces a house specialty. Its Duoplan of the 1920s and the extraordinary Calibre 101 that followed in 1929 are the best-known expressions of that pursuit. This watch is powered by its original miniature Jaeger-LeCoultre cal. 426 movement.

The dial is also one of the watch's pleasing attractions. Its original two-tone salmon bullseye surface is divided into a circular center and contrasting outer chapter, and the effect is alive rather than static. As the light moves across it, the relationship between the two finishes seems to reverse: at one angle the center reads darker and the perimeter lighter, while at another the outer section deepens and the center comes forward. The result is a wonderfully changeable dial that rewards movement on the wrist.

We were fortunate to acquire it in all-original condition. It has a refined elegance and has original parts down to its dial, hands, winding crown and even the two tiny gold screws that are often lost that hold the back and crown in place.

Its case is in excellent condition with light wear and two crisp unpolished hallmarks. Its wonderful salmon colored bulls-eye two-tone dial is original and untouched giving it a true vintage look - please inquire if you would like it expertly restored.

The aging on the dial is much less perceptible in person than in the photos - the watch is quite small, a mere 14mm wide, so the photos are quite magnified.

One of our Master Watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it making it ready for immediate enjoyment.

We have also timed it on a machine that simulates it being worn on the wrist. It is keeping accurate time.

Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function and a 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.

Manufacturer: Jaeger-LeCoultre
Country of origin: Switzerland
Year built: c. 1950's
Functions: Hours and Minutes
Designed for: Women
Case material: 18K gold
Case condition: Excellent condition with light wear. It still retains crisp unpolished hallmarks.
Dimensions: 16mm wide (excluding crown), 23mm long lug tip-to-tip 
Dial: Two-tone salmon with wonderful bullseye design, black painted Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9, and baton hour markers, signed Jaeger-LeCoultre, original and untouched. Please inquire if you would like it expertly restored. The aging on the dial is less perceptible in person than in the photos - the watch is a quite small, only 16mm wide, so the photos are quite magnified.
Hands: Original, blue steel, wide "epees"
Movement type: High-grade LeCoultre caliber 426, rhodium plated, backwound, monometallic balance, self-compensating flat balance spring
Jewels: 16 rubies
Band: Calfskin leather, remborde, new
Crystal:  Acrylic, excellent condition
Serviced: One of our Master Watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
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.
Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. 
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