Here we have a 1935 Jaeger-LeCoultre Duoplan rear wind watch. The case is of tank form and is full Stainless Steel. It measures 16mm wide x 35mm in length, lug tip to tip. It has a gloss textured black dial with exaggerated cream tone hour markers. The Jaeger-LeCoultre name is above 12 and the Swiss signing below 6. It is an unusual dial variation as it is lacking the Duoplan two tier text. The hour markers and corners are raised, providing depth and texture to the dial. It has the aged white paint to the hour and minute hand indicating the time. The case is a sleek Gents design with brushed finishing to the dial surround. To the rear the case back has the serial number and the rear wind crown. Inside is the Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 409 which has been recently serviced.
 
The Duoplan:
Introduced in 1925 the Duoplan was one of the pre-eminent icons manufactured by LeCoultre during the Art Deco period. The Reverso was created some 6 years after this momentous design.
 
It was called the Duoplan in reference to the structure of its movement. The fashion at that time was for extremely small wristwatches. Yet, extreme miniaturisation often results in a loss of reliability. The Duoplan provided a simple and ingenious way to reconcile technical excellence and elegance, with its movement being built on two levels. The lower level with the barrel and most of the gear train and on the upper level, the escapement. This enabled it to maintain a large-size balance and thus, more accurate timekeeping. The movements also had a higher beat rate for the era at 21,600 BPH, compared to the standard 18,000 BPH.
 
The design of the cases also meant that they were labelled as waterproof. By using lead discs and cork in the winding system, the main point of entry, the crown, was protected.
The Duoplan was also famous due to its early use of sapphire crystal which was labelled as un-breakable. The use of Stainless steel was still uncommon in this period and was another element of the design to be triumphed.
 
The calibre 409 we see in this example was the largest of 4 duoplan movement manufactured. It was produced from 1929-62 and had a total production volume of 9,461.
 
This example:
The dial is a good original example which is a sleek black lightly textured tone. It is signed with the Jaeger-LeCoultre logo above 12 with the Swiss signing below 6. It is an unusual dial variation as it lacks the usual two tier Duoplan signing below 12. The hour markers are of exaggerated arrowhead design with the double marker at 12. The markers have the are raised which adds depth and catches the eye. They are subtly contained within the marked 4 corners which are also raised. The hour and minute hand are of classic sword style, with the aged white painted finish on top of the thermally blued tone.
 
The Stainless-Steel case measures 16mm wide, by 25mm long without lugs. With the lugs, the length stretches to 35mm. Due to the movement design, the watch is very slim, with a depth of 6.5mm not including the winder. Despite its small dial size, it was a slim Gents design for the era.
It is a sleek design with the rectangular frame for the dial having a thin notched bezel holding the sapphire crystal. There is a brushed finish to the top and bottom panel either end of the dial, with a thin section either side. This gives way to the band running parallel from lug to lug either side. It has a bevel on the sides which leads to the polished flat edge. 
The rear of the case is a rectangular section which is held in place with pins to the top and bottom. The crown sits on the bottom left, with the directional arrow to remind you of its reverse operation.
 
The movement has an inner cover to further protect it. One removed it exposes the calibre 409 manual wind movement. A beautiful and aesthetically pleasing movement which has a construction unlike any others you will see.
 
This is a good original example of a Duoplan from 1935. An innovative and stylish pure Art Deco design. Demand and interest in such pieces from Jaeger-LeCoultre is continuing to grow, as collectors seek out such pieces.
 
The watch is modelled on a 7" wrist circumference
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
 
Dial:
The dial is original and is in good condition for the age. It is the black tone which has a subtle texture. The signing is good and clear with little wear. The tone of the hour markers and hands has lightly and evenly aged.
 
Hands:
The hands are original with the thermally blued finish with white painted top. The paint has aged to a cream tone. The hands are good with bright thermal blueing.
 
Glass:
The glass is original and is in good condition. There are no marks to the bevelled edges but some light marks near the top.
 
Case:
The case is Stainless Steel and in good condition with no dents or deep scratching, only light surface scratches and natural polishing with age. The original brushed finish remains.
 
Caseback:
The Stainless-Steel case back is in good condition for the age. It has light scratching, with the clear serial number. The pins either end are good and tight.
 
Crown:
The crown is original and is in good condition with light surface scratching. The winding arrow is clear and defined and the coin edge finish is good. The screw is original.
 
Strap:
The watch is on a period strap with a 9ct gold buckle. 
It is also provided with a 12mm mid-century Bulova light grey leather strap which is in new old stock condition.
 
Movement:
A Recently serviced Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 409 movement, with 15 jewels, adjusted to temp and two positions. Keeping time to within -60 seconds a day.
 
Case Dimensions:
Case width: 16mm
Case length: 25mm 
Case length lug to lug: 35mm
Case Depth: 7mm
Lug width: 12mm