Long ago Jaeger-LeCoultre built their reputation as masters of watch design. This commitment to stylistic excellence produced a number of exquisitely sculpted watches (like the Reverso), and the company's tradition for beautiful design continued to show-up in certain models of their later American market watches like this watch.

In vintage times, the company carried on the tradition and crafted certain very distinctive watches for the less restrained American market. Such is the case with the wristwatch featured in today's offering, one of the most desirable U.S. market dress models made by Jaeger-LeCoultre.

Officially named the Bradley II, but more commonly known among collectors as the "Ships Wheel" or "Bottle Cap", it possesses elegance and drama in spades.

The vast majority of these were made with plain black dials. This is much less often seen and, in my opinion, much more striking and elegant silver two-tone version.

We were fortunate to acquire it with all of its original parts, down to the untouched dial, all of its original hands, and even the original crown.

A beautiful 14K gold period correct bracelet has previously been added to the watch and soldered between the lugs to make it integral. It really makes the watch a statement piece for those looking for something with elegance, drama, and gold. The dial has slightly warmed to a light sepia tone giving the watch a true vintage look.

Its case, which has rippling to the back, presents as mint on the wrist. Its untouched original dial is also in excellent condition. And its high-grade movement is near pristine.

One of our Master Watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it and installed a new crystal to give a clear view to the edge of the dial. It is running extremely strong and true, keeping time essentially on par with a new JLC in our testing recording position.

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

Included with the purchase is a one-year international warranty on the movement and its function, a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate.

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 and also has done authorized work for the Richemont brands which includes JLC, Cartier, and others. We have serviced/restored hundreds of vintage LeCoultre watches.

This a special opportunity to own a very fine and rare JLC timepiece's before it slips into someone's prized collection.

• Manufacturer: Jaeger-LeCoultre
• Country of origin: Switzerland, made for the U.S. market
• Serial no.: 737,576
• Year built: c. 1951
• Model: Bradley II, often called the "ships wheel" or "bottle cap" by collectors
• Functions: Hours, Minutes, Subsidiary Seconds
• Designed for: Men
• Case material: 14K gold
• Case markings (outside): 14K GOLD D & A
• Case markings (inside): Cased and Timed in U.S.A by LeCoultre, 14K Gold, 31119
• Case condition: It has rippling to the back. On the wrist it presents as mint.
• Dial: Signed LeCoultre and Swiss, silver with second tone inner minute track, gold applique faceted dart markers, auxillary guilloche seconds, better than near mint with light toning to sepia and very light aging
• Dimensions: 33.5mm wide at its widest point, 38.5mm long lug tip-to-tip
• Hands: Gold, "dauphines", original
• Movement type: Cal. 480 C/W, high quality, rhodium plated, “fausses côtes” decoration, monometallic balance, index regulator
• Movement markings: LeCoultre, Swiss, 480/CW, Seventeen Jewels, Unadjusted
• Jewels: 17 rubies
• Beat frequency: 18,000 BPH
• Band: Period correct 14K gold bracelet, beautiful design, soldered to the inside of the lugs to make it integral, size to fit a wrist up to slightly under 7 inches, excellent condition. A jeweler could alter the bracelet if desired.
• Width between lugs: 16mm
• Crystal type: Acrylic, mint condition
• Serviced: One of our Master Watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it and installed a new crystal to give a clear view to the edge of the dial. For the finishing touch we have meticulously detailed it making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
• Timing: Timed on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It is running extremely strong and true, keeping time essentially on par with a new JLC in our testing recording position. 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 and also has done authorized work for the Richemont brands including JLC, Cartier, Vacheron & Constantin, IWC, and others. We have serviced/restored hundreds of vintage LeCoultre watches.
• 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