Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Alarm Europe Drawing

Key Points from the Discussion

• The case reference for the Deep Sea Alarm is E 857, a detail confirmed by a separate case drawing and found inside the case back. The rarity of the European DSA is attributed to its later production start (1960-1962) compared to the US version (1959), with an estimated three-quarters of the 1061 total pieces being US models.
• The production sequence suggests that the initial 500 pieces in 1959 were exclusively US versions. The European version's rarity is further emphasized by its limited production from 1960 to 1962, with only one piece made in the final year.
• The internal reference numbers '20984' or '8239' on the technical drawing are questioned as potential internal JLC references for the Deep Sea Alarm, given the absence of the 'DSA' name. The discussion also explores why DSAs are harder to find than Polaris models, despite similar production numbers, suggesting potential factors like tool watch usage leading to fewer surviving examples.
• An advertisement from the era shows the price structure of JLC watches, with the Geomatic at 750 NF in 1963 and the Geophysic at 480 NF in 1958, providing context for the Deep Sea Alarm's market positioning.
• The question is raised about the relative pricing of early JLC divers like the DSA compared to other models like the Geophysic or Geomatic, and whether a specific type of client would have purchased such a diver's watch in 1960.
• The absence of the E857 model reference or the 'DSA' name on the technical drawing is noted as surprising, suggesting the dial might have been considered generic for multiple models, though this is not the case.