We can already answer to one question: We didn't have to wait for wristwatches to see some Chronometers, at the Grande Maison.
Another question receives an answer: The Cal 21 RV is the first Chronometer known from the Grande Maison.
Let's see all that in a chronologic way.
1/ The Torpedo Boat Chronometer:
This is a very interesting example, historically speaking.
It seems that the Cal 21 RV is the first chronometer from LeCoultre, as it was produced since 1860.
Circa 1890, here, Edmond Jaeger offered his Chronometers to various Marines, not only the French Marine ( Marine Nationale) at this moment.
Among his clients, the US NAVY... Who bought this timekeeper in 1895 for the USS CUSHING, and which is now back to the JLC Heritage Department.
This is a Lecoultre movement which can also be seen on civilian pocket watches
Edmond Jaeger... LeCoultre movement... 1890.... These datas are important, as we know that the collaboration between Mr Jaeger and Mr Lecoultre started in 1903, officially.
The Cal 21 RV, housed in the US NAVY Marine Chronometer:
The production number is not known, sadly.
It is a 21''' movement, beating at 18 000 alternances per hour.
2/ The Cal 19/20 RMSMI:
Here we are circa 1881. The production numbers and years are not known.
The Cal 19 / 20 RMSMI proves that a Chronometer can also be associated to a complication, the Minute Repeater.
It also has a " Secondes Mortes " ( Dead Second ) system, and when you have a close look at this calibre, you will notice an interesting detail, two gear trains.
One of them is dedicated to the " Secondes Mortes "... The ancester of the... Duometre? Is this where Jaeger- Lecoultre took their inspiration for the Duometre?
The answer is... Yes.
The 19/20 RMSMI is a 19/20''' movement, 46 jewels, beating at 18000 alternances per hour, and was tested at the Besançon Observatory on the 8th of August, 1881.
Here, a photo of the pocket watch on its precious document, attesting its chronometric virtues:
3/ The Cal 160:
This is the biggest movement among all those we are studying here, as its diameter is 56 mm ( 25''' ).
If the production number is not known, the date is: 1933 / 1934.
This movement was produced for the chonometry researches and contests.
It is also the first Lecoultre Chronometre to receive a swan neck for a fine adjustment.
It has 19 jewels, and beats at 14 400 vibrations per hour.
This Calibre won different Chronometry Contests, in 1941 and 1943.
You will see that the Cal 160 received two different levels of finish, on the pictures below.
The Finished movement:
A rare view on the dial side movement:
A lower level of finish:
And now, the movement encased, ready for the Chronometry Contest:
4/ The Cal 162 ( And 171 ) :
1943 saw the birth of the Cal 162, a 21''', 19 jewels movement beating at 18000 alternances per hour, which received some variations, such as the central seconds.
Like the Cal 160, it has a swan neck for a fine adjustment, and was produced for Chronometry Researches and Contests.
It was also delivered to... Vacheron Constantin.
Signed Jaeger Lecoultre, this movement was housed in some Jaeger Marine Chronometers, delivered to the French Hydrographic Service of the Marine ( Marine Nationale ).
In 1953, it reference number changed for the Cal 171. It is said that the Cal 171 is a modified " 162 ", but when I compare the two movements, I can't tell the modifications.
Nicely finished, with anglages, perlages and cotes de Genève, this Calibre is a joy to admire.
1474 movements were produced ( including those delivered to Vacheron Constantin ).
The Cal 162:
Housed in its " Observatory " case:
And now, the Cal 171:
With its Marine Nationale case:
5/ The Cal 170:
Attention, you are facing a masterpiece AND a champion, here.
The Cal 170 is a 19 jewels, 22''' ( 49, 63 mm ) movement, beating at 18000 vibrations per hour, made for Chronometry Contests, and the first Jaeger-Lecoultre to receive a Tourbillon.
Spirale Breguet, swan neck...
Superbly designed, nicely finished, this movement is not only a pleasure to admire, but a true champion.
Produced in 26 pieces, since 1946, it won 4 Chronometry Contests, in 1948, 1952, 1953 and 1954.
On its award:
And on its own " Bulletin De Marche ":
Here are the roots of Chronometry, from the Grande Maison. Let's now see how it turned with wristwatches...