1950s LeCoultre Chronograph 18K YG (Ref. 1439) "Valjoux Cal. 72"

Jaeger-LeCoultre has been one of the leading watch manufacturers and more impressively watch movement manufacturers since the early 1900s, though their dignified roots date all the way back to 1844. Jaeger-LeCoultre or "JLC" for short, produced some of the most important movements for other manufacturers including Patek Philippe, Cartier, Audemars Piguet, and Vacheron Constantin. JLC created a multitude of its own extraordinary watches throughout the company's tenure as one of the leading Swiss watchmaking houses.

Case in point, this beautiful LeCoultre chronograph from the 1950s featuring a case set in 18K yellow gold with features fancy "horned" lugs and a screw-down case back. This LeCoultre chronograph employs the venerable Valjoux cal. 72 movement.

Stock #		LCCH1439
Brand		LeCoultre
Style		Chronograph Valjoux Cal. 72
Model		1439
Serial		N/A
Size		Men's
Material		18K Yellow Gold
Dial		Silver "Aged"
Millimeters		35
Strap		2pc Handmade Leather Strap

CASE & BRACELET

The 18K yellow gold case features charming "horned" lugs, the case itself exhibits signs of gentle polishing in the past with minimal signs of use. The hallmarks all remain present throughout the case. The unsigned crown is believed to be original to the watch and the pump pushers could be original but appear to be slightly newer and are possibly service units. The screw-down case back is in excellent condition and the watch also retains its original movement dust cover. The watch comes supplied on a 2pc handmade leather strap.

DIAL & HANDS

The original silver dial is in very well-preserved vintage condition, showing gentle aging that enhances the aesthetics of the watch with no notable elements of damage present. The radium lume plots have aged to a warm beige color, under UV light inspection all of the lume plots remain intact though a few of the plots exhibit minor degradation. The original dauphine hands have been previously restored with tritium and have an ivory patina.