Ref E 2638: Another unexpected link between Present and Past.
There are moments full of surprises, in Life.
While I was looking forward to add another nice Vintage JLC Chrono, a friend of mine called me to tell me that he found something which may be of interest for my collection.
A few days after a short visit to my friend, I realized that it was not only a surprise, but 2 surprises, which were waiting for me.
1/ The first surprise is the watch in itself, which comes with its box and its paper, which is pretty rare for a watch sold in ...April 1965.
- The box:
Even the AD tag is still stuck inside the box!
- The Paper ( Warranty ) providing some cleaning and servicing advices:
- The total packaging:
Like if you were buying a watch at your favourite AD 50 years ago!
Here, an extract fo the 1961 Catalogue, showing this reference among others:
- Let's have a look at this Chronograph, now:
As you can see, this is a Jaeger Chronograph, with a dial in a stunning condition, and an unpolished case.
The silver dial shows 3 counters which are eating the 3 / 6 and 9 applied numbers.
The 3 counters receive a circular finish, while the main dial is plain and smooth.
At the base of the thin and long triangular applied indexes, you have a tritium pearl, which aged nicely.
A nice detail, which adds a small touch of sportivity and contrast on this elegant, classic, and well balanced chronograph: the discrete blue tachymeter, on the outer part of the dial.
The case is theorically small, as it measures 35 mm, but, in real, it looks surprisingly bigger, due to the important aperture of the dial, and to the lack of a bezel.
A feeling immediately confirmed once the watch on the wrist:
The case back is screwed, bearing the serial number of the watch:
It hides ( as, at this era, it wasn't important to show the movement through a sapphire case back! ) which seems to be a Valjoux movement, even if I don't recognize the famous 72, often used on Jaeger, Lecoultre or Jaeger-LeCoultre Chronographs, in alternance with the Universal Genève movement ( U.G Cal 285 ).
So, if someone can tell me what is the exact reference of this movement, it would be of great help for me.
You will note that the inside part of the case back, as the movement, are both signed by Jaeger.
I couldn't resist to get this nice Chrono, even if it wasn't programmed in my wish list, but this is certainly the charm of the surprises...
2/ The 2d surprise: The close link between the Past and the Present.
You certainly have in mind the new Master Chrono released by JLC this year.
If not, here is a picture ( Stainless Steel Boutique Edition )
And now, the regular Master Chrono, in SS:
Now, let's compare it with the E 2638...
Remove the date, replace the Tachymeter on the Vintage for the Pulsometer on the New one, no " eaten " applied numbers on the Modern,a bigger and thicker case than on the original one, very nice rectangular pushers on the Modern instead of the round on the Vintage, and now, what do you say?
Isn't there a certain " air de famille "?
Same shaped indexes, same Dauphine hands, 3 counters, same sport and elegant " spirit ".
If we want to go further in the similarities between the Vintage and the Modern, have a look at the extract of the 1961 catalogue I posted above, and see the Ref E 2634... We are indeed even closer than with the Ref E 2638.
As often, with JLC, History is an eternal resumption.
Best to All.
Nicolas.
A beauty
Dear Nicolas,
what a beauty! And complete set ..wow! This is what vintage watch collecting is all about - and I guess the best part is you didn't have to pay crazy money (as others do for chronographs with same movement) and the dial is flawless on top.
congrats!
Not a million dollars, indeed, but such a great pleasure!
Thanks for your input, my friend.
Would you mind trading your Longines chronometer for this Jaeger Chronograph?
Best,
Nicolas
A newbie question ...
First of all, congratulations for this wonderful catch. The lack of date is a bonus, correct?
Now my newbie question:
What is the relation between Jaeger and JLC?
I already passed many "Jaeger" by believing that they are not part of the Manufacture.
Thanks in advance,
Nilo
No date on these Vintage Jaeger Chronos, my friend.
As for your question about Jaeger and JLC atches, a quick answer:
Both MM Jaeger and Lecoultre agreed, at the beginning of the XXth century that they had to diversify ther production.
Jaeger was in charge of the production of some instruments, such as the dashboards and clocks for cars and planes, for example, as well as some timekeepers.
There was a factory in France, near Paris ( Levallois, if I remember correctly ), and another in England.
In parallel, Lecoultre and JLC brands made fine time keepers, made in Swizerland, in the Vallée de joux, or coming form Swizerland, and assembled in the US ( Lecoultre during the years the brand was distributed there ( circa the 30ies to circa the 70ies ).
If you have a look at the warranty I posted, you will clearly see this distinction:
" Jeager, Horloger de la Marine D'Etat ", which means " Jaeger, National Marine Watchmaker ".
" Jaeger-Lecoultre, Horlogerie de Luxe ", which stands for " Fine Horology " or " Luxury Horology ".
Best,
Nicolas
Congratulations!
That is a great catch. It must be a thrill to find a complete package like that, and such a clean example, as you said like receiving a watch from your AD in 1965. I love the lack of bezel on the chrono, which brings to mind the AMVOX line as well.
Best,
respo
You probably kno the feeling, my dear Respo.
As you experienced it, recently, with a certain " Le Presige de la France " from a close to JLC Manufacture. 
Yes, this is something really special.
Finding a nice Watch is not that easy, but when it comes with the box and the papers, now that is a real and nice cherry on the cake.
Best, and thanks for your kind words, my friend.
Nicolas
One of my hidden treasures. I have it for 4 years, now.
It was time to unveil it, don't you tjink?
Best,
Nicolas
THIS is a stunning Vintage piece.. Congrats, dear friend ! :))
In a way, it is the past reaching upwards into this presence.
Something touching..
The similarity or , (as you say, " l'air de famille), the DNA pattern
speaks a decent, but clear message, how balanced craftmanship
can be timeless : yesterday, today and tomorrow..
Your post ( and the superb pics) shows that convincingly, how life
(but also design and art ) often moves in circles,
- so no wonder, that one enjoys, such coming 360 degrees;
Finally - and you know my love for my Jaeger Chrono - I do have
a strong personal relationship to that family ..
( OMG, You now have full sets for 2 (!) chronographs, AFAIK, don't you ?)
Nice to have and to greet with a relative, as well.
All the best,
and I know, that this one of yours is in a very good house..
Wowww !!
hs ( in slight envy..)
When I look at yours, there is no place for envy, my good friend.
Yes, Life reserves some good surprises to us.. I still have in mind the way you found the gorgeous Type XX of yours...
Hmmm...
Best,
Nicolas.
True.. Touché.. Nevertheless: Chapeau ! For this hidden juwel :))
Rule, better observation 2 ( of Vlad): there always is a next one
How nice for us, to get these wonders once & again..
Thank you, it is a pleasure to have seen this one,
- so it would make a nice trio , wouldn't it ?
Thus, no real jealousy - just a tiny trace of envy, must be allowed..
Best, hs
Great catch and post, Nicolas! :)
Huge congrats!
To find any documentation of the few chronographs JLC/LC featured during the 60's is hard.
Here is a couple of scans of the Grand Father of your E 2638.
Jaeger versions, 1945.
Love the case of this one!
But honestly, the two register is more of my speed...
LeCoultre version 1965.
LeCoultre versions 1969.
Best, my friend
Blomman
Some nice, very nice UG movements, here.
What a splendid array of ads, my friend.
Thank you so much!
Best,
Nicolas
eye opener...
... Blomman, you are really the king of these vintage watch catalogs... thanks for your kind sharing!
stefan
Re- a past n present
This watch is so beautiful and rare. And you are indeed in luck to find a rare watch from 1965 along with the box and papers.This particular chronograph is the first design of a real chronograph. Thank you for sharing it..I'm very happy to be able to see it..
Thank you.
W.T.A
There were so many Chronographs, from this era and before
From JLC and from other brands which can qualify as real chronographs, my friend.
See the Longines 30 CH, 13 ZN, Omega / Tissot / Lemania 33.3 and a few others.
This is such a passionate and captivating world!
Best,
Nicolas
really like these little tiny features...
... yes the present and the past really have very close similarities... like the hour indices 3/6/9/12 are also being carried forward from the past to the present.
your post reminds it is time to hunt for jaeger chrono soon as i don't have single one in my JLC vintage collection!
stefan
Inspiration, roots, that is JLC so much.
And I am pretty sure that the hunter you are will find his game, my friend.
All the best,
Nicolas.
You know me well, my friend...
.... But I won't go into jlc vintage chrono for now, I need to focus on my current theme as there are few more that I need to hunt for.
Just saw one very special and interesting, whether to get it or not... give me force please.
Stefan
re: past and present
-MW