Here we have a sleek neo-vintage 1980s Jaeger-LeCoultre Triple calendar moonphase. It is the reference 145.119.5, which has the 33mm case diameter with the stainless-steel case construction and 18ct gold bezel. The gloss white dial is protected by the sapphire crystal. The numerals are the applied batons with the roman numerals to 3, 6 & 9. The ‘JL’ logo is applied at 12 o’clock. There is an outer ring for the date pointer, with the day and month windows below the ‘Jaeger-LeCoultre’ signing. The moonphase sits above 6 o’clock and has the deep blue tone. It has neat sword hands indicating the hours and minutes with the date pointer hand. The case has the satin brushed finish, with the signed crown to the right. The case back is held in place with four screws. It is marked with the reference 145.119.5 and 141.119.5, with the serial number 16,155,xx. The movement is marked as a calibre 888, with the serial number 2,376,7xx. It is an ultra-thin automatic movement, which has a jewel count of 30 and is marked as adjusted to four positions. It has been inspected by our watchmaker and is in good condition, keeping accurate time, with all functions working as they should.
The watch is presented on its original two-tone Lobster style bracelet, which has the ‘JL’ signed push button deployment clasp. It is well sized and will fit up to a 19cm wrist diameter.
The 1980s is an era which has traditionally divided watch collectors. Swiss watch companies were rallying against the Quartz crisis, seeking to continue the advancement of the mechanical movement. Watches became increasingly thin due to the use of these Quartz calibres, placing ultra-thin profiles at the forefront. The focus was placed on offering increasingly advanced movements, with high levels of functionality and ingenuity. Stylistically, two-tone was the way, with bracelets increasingly integrated into the case design, allowing watches to blur the lines of jewellery and timekeeping.
The watches can be seen as ‘flash’, which is off-putting to some collectors, but these watches are increasingly being appreciated for their bold design and streamlined profiles. We think this JLC triple calendar moonphase is the perfect blend of technical ingenuity and streamline design, with the two-tone design offering eye-catching accents.
The dial offers a clean base with is gloss white tone. It has the simple dash minute markers to the exterior, with the applied hour markers sitting in-between. They are the baton style with the roman numerals to 3, 6 & 9. Neatly balanced at 12 o’clock is the ‘JL’ logo. The date track sits just inside of the hour markers, intersecting the moonphase. Below 12 o’clock is the ‘Jaeger-LeCoultre’ signing with the day and month window. They have the gold tone framing that ties in with the hour markers. The discs are white with the clean black signing. The Moonphase sits at 6 o’clock and has the gold framing with the deep blue disc and gold moon and stars. Being a dress-based piece, it displays just the hours and minutes. They are of the elegant Index style in the gold tone. The date pointer is painted black with the gold crescent to the tip, cradling the date.
The case is measures just under 34mm, making this a neat dress piece. It has an increased presence with the total lug-to-lug measurement of 39.5mm, which dovetails nicely with the integrated design of bracelet. It has a slim profile of just over 7mm which makes it a sleek and comfortable wear.
The bezel secures the flat sapphire crystal in place and is formed of 18ct gold with the polished finish. The main body of the case is the circular with the linear satin brushed finish to the top of the case. It has the subtle curvature to the edges which flows into the flat sides. The lugs are thin and taper to the point, also down turning towards the wrist. To the right-hand side is the neat crown which is signed with the ‘JL’ initials to the face. Either side of the crown are the pushers for adjusting the month and date. To the left-hand side is the pusher for the moonphase advancement. The case back is dished, with the polished exterior. The central section has the brushed finish with the references ‘145.119.5’ and ‘141.119.5’ engraved, with the serial number 1,615,5xx engraved. The case back is held in placed with four screws which pulls the front of the case tightly against the back. Inside it is signed with the ‘Jaeger LeCoultre’ name.
The movement is the Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 888 which is an ultra-thin automatic calibre with a jewel count of 30. It is marked as being adjusted to four positions and has a beat rate of 21,600 BPH. It has been inspected by our watchmaker and is in good condition, with accurate time keeping and all functions working as they should. It is keeping accurate time to within + 6 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 275 degrees and a beat error of 0.2m/s.
The watch comes on its original two-tone Lobster style bracelet. It is a sleek design which smoothly articulates. This, combined with the linear brushed finishing and subtly bevelled edges, catch the light beautifully. The gold accents run either side of the links with the polished finish. The clasp is neat with the brushed finish and bevelled edge. It has the large ‘JL’ logo which is infilled in the gold tone. It is a push button deployment which sits securely on the wrist. It is decently sized and will fit up to a 19cm wrist diameter.
The watch is modelled on a 7” wrist circumference.
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
A further condition report is below.
Dial:
The dial is in good original condition with the clean base tone. The hour markers have the bright gold tone. The black signing is clear and without wear. There is a slightly mark in-between the ‘c’ on the ‘Automatic’ text.
Hands:
The hands are in perfect original condition with no noticeable marks.
Glass:
The sapphire crystal is in very good condition with no marking.
Crown:
The crown is in good condition with only light marking.
Case:
The case is formed of stainless steel and is in good condition with only light marking associated with age. There is a light corrosion spot to the top of the case between 9 and 10 o’clock. The rear of the case has marking around the area where the back is screwed in place.
Caseback:
The case back is in strong condition with the polished exterior and brushed finish to the centre. The reference and serial number engraving are clear. The screws that hold the hold together have wear to the heads from past poor opening but still function well.
Bracelet:
The watch is presented on its original two-tone bracelet, which has the button deployment clasp, which secures tightly. It has the original brushed finish and is in good condition with only light marking. The ‘JL’ logo to the clasp has the gold infill intact. It is well sized and will fit up to a 19cm wrist diameter.
Movement:
The movement is the Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 888 which is an ultra-thin automatic calibre with a jewel count of 30. It is marked as being adjusted to four positions and has a beat rate of 21,600 BPH.
It has been inspected by our watchmaker and is in good condition, with accurate time keeping and all functions working as they should. It is keeping accurate time to within + 6 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 275 degrees and a beat error of 0.2m/s.
Case dimensions
Case width: 33.5mm
Case width with crown: 34.75mm
Case length: 32.5mm
Case length lug to lug: 39.5mm
Case depth: 7.5mm
Lug width: 18mm