1930s Gentlemens Art Deco Jaeger LeCoultre DuoPlan watch, original Box & buckle, Serviced cal 409.
This is a very well preserved example with it's original box, original strap and original stainless buckle.
The Duoplan was predominantly a female designed watch. This watch is one of the rare examples to be created in a gentlemen's size in this era. The black dial is in excellent condition and contrasts with the bright Stainless case, creating an incredibly sleek piece of design.
Introduced in 1925 the Duoplan was one of the pre-eminent icons that Lecoultre produced in 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 it's movement being built on two levels. This enabled it to maintain a large-size balance and thus, more accurate timekeeping.
The Duoplan was insured by Lloyds of London, for two years after the date of purchase, benefitting from a unique after-sales service. The damaged movement could be replaced within a few moments, leading the London-based store owner Tyme to proclaim in its shop window: “you won’t have time to finish your cigarette before your watch is repaired”.
With such impressive innovation, inventions and the sheer number of unique calibres produced, it’s no wonder that Jaeger-LeCoultre is held in the highest regard by collectors. The brand has over 1242 movements and 400 registered patents. With their 187 years of experience, you’re purchasing a special watch.
This examples gives you that special feeling. The case is incredibly sleek, hugging the wrist very neatly. The watch has been recently serviced, providing peace of mind regarding the movements function. The pictures speak for themselves, this is an incredibly rare and well preserved example, with originality un-matched by any other example on the market.
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below. The watch has it's extremely rare original box, strap and buckle.
Dial:
The dial is original and is in excellent condition, with clear signing and it's original radium lume numerals.
Hands:
The hands are original and maintain the thermally blued colour. They have had the lume refinished, as during the service the fragile original radium lume fractured.
Glass:
The glass is original and is in very good condition.
Crown:
The crown is original and is in excellent condition with light surface scratching.
Case:
The case is Stainless Steel and in very good condition with no dents or deep scratching, only light surface scratches.
Caseback:
The Stainless Steel case back is in very good condition. It has only light surface scratches.
Strap:
The original leather strap, with it's original stainless steel buckle, manufactured by AW. This buckle is wonderfully shaped. AW produced high end buckles for top Swiss watch brands.
Movement:
A Recently serviced LeCoultre calibre 409 movement, with 15 jewels, adjusted to temp and two positions. Keeping time to within +40 seconds a day.
Case dimensions
Case width: 22.25mm
Case length: 25mm
Lug to lug measurement: 35mm
Case depth: 6.5mm
Case depth with crown: 8.3mm
Lug width: 16mm