Jaeger-LeCoultre Earth Globe Mappemonde Ref. 163

amanico · 2014-12-15T00:08:28Z

Explore the vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre Earth Globe Mappemonde Ref. 163, a historical desk clock with a unique world time display and Art Deco charm.

Among the Vintage JLC World, we can find some nice treasures.

Undisputably, the Earth Globe ( Ref 163 ) belongs to this category.

A piece of History, with some countries whose names changed, and of poetry, like an astronomical watch or clock, but backward.

This desk clock was made in the 30ies, and starts to be quite sought after.

There are some reasons to explain this exit.

- Many of us dreamt of imaginary trips in our childhood, discovering all the continents of the world: Educative and entertaining, in the same time.

It was a bit like a lesson of Geography, but without the boring teacher!

- It is an original way to display the Hour.

Here, like with any other clock, the Hour is collective, not only offered to the owner of a wristwatch.

But there is a big difference with all the clocks we use to see: It gives you the time all over the world.

A World Time clock, indeed!

- As previously said, a piece full of romantism and poetry, a piece of Art.

How does it work?

There are 3 part: The base, housing the movement, the contrasted " ring " of the hours, dark for the night time, clear for the daytime, and the globe.

1/ The base:

It seems to be made in resin.

It is signed Jaeger-LeCoultre, and has an octogonal shape.

On the back, the movement, which can be wound by turning a big key, while you set the time with the stem, located beside the key:

Yes, you don't dream, there is an electric plug, to light on the globe!

The movement has an autonomy of 7 days, and is pretty accurate the first 4 days.

2/ The ring of the hours:

You have 2 12 Hours Time Zones, one is clear, for the daytime, the other is dark, for the night time, but also a 24 hours scale, written in small, just above.

Each of these zones has a 15 minutes graduation.4

The disc is turning, and the 2 red triangles are used as a reference point when you read the hour.

3/ The globe.

To get an approximative idea of the time in the world, use a coin to unscrew the globe, then align your country with the red triangles on the ring of the hours with the country you live in.

So, you'll have the time in your country and the time everywhere else in the world, in a coordinated way.

Smart, isn't it?

Most of the globes we can see on the market ( there are not so many, by the way ) are resotred, due to the fragile covering.

So, finding an original one is certainly a plus to consider.

The dimensions are 25 cms high, and approximatively 18 cms large.

A deocrative and nice horological object.

Turn the light on!

The lesson of Geography...

... And of History, with all the ex Colonies ownership:

In my opinion, a nice piece to seriously consider in any JLC Collection, and a witness of the impressive diversity and sense of the creation from " La Grande Maison ".

Looking forward to reading your comments, and hoping that you will enjoy the quick view,

Best.

Nicolas.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Earth Globe Mappemonde Ref. 163

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Jaeger-LeCoultre Earth Globe Mappemonde Ref. 163

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