Here we have an uncommon 1940s example of a Jaeger-LeCoultre Étrier / stirrup watch which has the crown at 12 and resembles a driver’s layout. It has the patinated silver dial. The dial is signed ‘Jaeger-LeCoultre’ and ‘Swiss’ to either end. To the centre are the pencil hour markers with the Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6 & 9 providing a beautifully balanced layout. It has the Dagger style hands with the bright thermally blued tone. The case is formed of Stainless Steel and has the rectangular central section with the curved stirrup lugs lifting the watch upwards. The case back has the brushed finish with the serial number reference number ‘7793’. Inside is the Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 407/2 manual wind movement, which has been recently serviced and is keeping accurate time. It comes on its original double sewn leather strap with the chrome plated buckle.
The Étrier was introduced in the mid 1930s, born out of the bubbling caldron of Art Deco design which was sweeping the world. Much the same as the Reverso, the Étrier was inspired by equestrian lifestyle and design. The French name Etrier translates to “stirrup”, which is the loop attached to the horse saddle which supports the riders feet.
The first instalment of the model was designed with the Duoplan movement in mind, which was a fitting pairing for this expressive case and lug design. Throughout the 1940s the watch was still produced, but there are few examples from this period, such as the one we have available here.
The 1960s saw the evolution of the Étrier with a variety of designs and dials which cemented the watch within the Jaeger-LeCoultre range.
Examples form the 1950s onwards have the crown at 6 o’clock. The 1943 catalogue shows the same layout as our example with crown at 12, which marked as a reference 431. There are no reference points for this early second generation of Etrier, making this a rare example to come to the market.
We feel this forms an important part of the Etriers transition from Duoplan to the varied later examples. With Duoplans already having a very strong collectors’ market and subsequently rapidly increasing prices, we feel this is a fascinating alternative example to sit within a discerning collection of mid-century Jaeger-LeCoultre watches.
The dial is the aged silver tone with the landscape configuration with the vertical signing to either side with ‘Jaeger-LeCoultre’ to the left and ‘Swiss’ to the right. The numerals are framed with the chamfered corners which create the feel of a rectangle. It has the exaggerated arrow hour markers with the Arabic numerals to the quarters at 12, 3, 6 & 9. The 9 and 3 numerals are differentiated with the small arrows to either side. The hands are of the classic Dagger style of the period with the bright thermally blued tone.
The case was designed for a ladies wrist, yet with shifting tastes and the desire to experiment with smaller watches, we feel it shouldn’t be pigeonholed to a ladies wrist. It measures 23mm wide with a length to the centrals section of 14.75mm. The presence is increased by the expressive curved lugs, which lift the watch up and stretch its total length to 35mm. It has a slim case depth of just 7.5mm with a lug width of 12mm.
It is formed of stainless steel and has the rectangular, landscape central section of the case. This has the polished finish which combines with the bevelled bezel design, to interact with the light. The stirrup lugs expand from the ends of the case curving downwards and closing inwards to meet the strap. The crown is set at 12 O’clock and is neatly hidden in the space between the case and the strap. The rear of the case maintains the original brushed finish and has the ‘Acier Inoxydable’ signing with the serial number ‘368578’, with added retailer references above of ‘7793’ and below ‘4512’. Inside the case back has the perlage finishing and has the repeated reference ‘7793’.
The movement is the Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 9”UO 407 (407/2), which is a 15 jewel manually wound movement. It is known for its compact dimensions are tonneau shape which led to its use in rectangular cases. It has been recently serviced and is keeping accurate time to within -40 seconds per day, with an amplitude of 260 degrees and a beat error of 0.9 m/s.
The serial number on the movement dates to December of 1946, meaning the watch will have been sold in 1947.
Amazingly, the watch comes on its original leather strap which will fit up to a 17.8cm wrist diameter. It has the chrome plated buckle which is fixed in place.
The watch is modelled on a 17.8cm 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 has marking and scratching associated with age. The signing is well formed and legible.
Hands:
The hands are original with the thermally blued finish. The blued finish is bright. There are slight corrosion marks.
Glass:
The acrylic crystal would appear to be original with the correct complex curve profile. It has light scratching associated with age.
Case:
The case is Stainless Steel and in good condition with no major dents or deep scratching, only light surface scratches and natural polishing with age.
Caseback:
The Stainless-Steel case back is in good condition for the age. It has the original brushed finish with light scratching. The serial numbers and signing are clear.
Crown:
The crown is original and is in good condition with light surface scratching.
Strap:
The watch is on its original sewn leather strap which is in good condition. It has the chrome plated buckle which is fixed in place and has some corrosion. It will fit up to a 17.85cm wrist circumference.
Movement:
The movement is the Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 407/2, which is a 15 jewel manually wound movement. It has been recently serviced and is keeping accurate time to within -40 seconds per day, with an amplitude of 260 degrees and a beat error of 0.9 m/s.
Case dimensions
Case width: 23mm
Case length: 14.75mm
Case length with crown: 16mm
Case length lug to lug: 35mm
Case depth: 7.25mm
Lug width: 12mm