Vintage
Blomman Mr Blue unearths a fascinating piece of Jaeger-LeCoultre history, revealing Sweden's largest historical order of JLC watches. His post details a 1957 initiative by the Swedish Metal Association to gift 1276 gold JLC watches to long-serving employees, offering a unique glimpse into corporate loyalty and JLC's market presence in mid-century Sweden. This discovery sparks a discussion about the specific reference 2953 and its dial variations.
Friends,
Some years ago I found this ad from 1957:
As gifts to employees that had been with the company for 25 years or more, the Swedish Metal Association ordered for their 50 years anniversary a total of 1276 Jaeger-LeCoultre gold watches!
What I find interesting with this article is:
- Swedish connection to the JLC brand in the 1950’s. As a vintage collector I can only say that Sweden never was a big market for JLC.
- At that time, this must have been considered a very generous gift.
- A company with over 1200 people that had been with the company over 25 years! Today I don’t think it is that common for people to be that loyal to their work.
So, why do I show you this ad now? Well, these watches pop up occasionally here in Sweden for sale. I never got one, but a friend of mine did. And a few weeks ago he showed it to me…
Reference 2953 in 18 K yellow Gold, manual caliber 12 ½.
What is very interesting is that from the looks of it this watch has a special dial. Or the ref 2953 did exist with several different dials?
This is the “normal” look of the 2953. Two tone zone dial.
Would be interesting to know if these dials were special ordered…
This was not a one-time order; I have seen these watches dated all the way to 1961.
This particular piece is from 1959.
A fun part of watch collecting is to know the history of your watches, don’t you think?!
Best
Blomman
This message has been edited by blomman on 2015-01-27 12:25:33Past couple of years I am afraid a lot of companies were not that loyal to their employees either! Hope companies don't start giving away JLC watches; we have to keep it our little big secret. Still a nice piece of history in general and of JLC history; thanks for sharing. Were these solid gold or plated cases? Any idea why they chose JLC watches to give away? Most people probably didn't recognize the brand anyway. Best, Starman
They choose JLC... Best deal on 1276 watches..? These are solid gold. Yes, the work climate changes... Best Blomman
It is a very small angle on the dial if I don't recall wrong, but it is also different surface/tone on the inner and outer part of the dial. Thank you, my friend. Best Blomman
Blomman, you and I have corresponded about my JLC ref. 2953 that is identical to the lower picture in your 12-1/2''' catalog page. Perhaps you found that page as a result of our correspondence. I do believe that the change in color is not two-tone, but rather just a change in the way the light reflects from the brushed dial surface. Mine is all one color. JLC Ref. 2953, ca. 1945, 12-1/2''' P450/4C (lousy iPhone pic, unfortunately) The seconds hand on this watch is not original--it is the seconds
I have seen photos of watches that responded to searches on the reference 2953 that had applied Arabics on the cardinal positions as this one does. But the late-50's date is much different than what I suspect is the mid-40's date of the watch in your catalog picture. That picture is identical to mine, and mine has a movement serial number that resolves to 1945. Do you know the date of that catalog page? Rick "finding little published about the 2953" Denney
This one... P 476. But which is not... Best, Rick.
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