Jaeger-LeCoultre

What does the watch face applied logotype stand for (looking like letters SR or RR) on this vintage leather covered hexagonal Jaeger-LeCoultre desktop clock?

Hermes Table Clock Jeager-LeCoultre, 1960 according to the web site below.

https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/more-furniture-collectibles/clocks/hermes-table-clock-jeager-lecoultre-1960/id-f_1207044/

However the actual logotype (SR or RR) has probably nothing to do with the Hermés brand, even if leather products are something they represent among other items.

The SR looking logotype on this Jaeger-LeCoultre clock still remains a mystery....there are however several manufactured.

Hello blomman,

Aye, I am set on eventually...with the kind help of others...to find the true explanation and meaning of the elusive logotype on the hexagonal JLC 8-day leather clock. I would tend to see the logo as letters SR rather than mirrored R.

At the moment of writing this (APR 22nd 2015);

- The Heritage Department of Jaeger-LeCoultre has not been able to identify the logo yet. This is based on correspondence between me and JLC client relations. (For a fee of 250 CHF they can allocate slightly more time using the JLC Archive Extract program, but with no guarantee of success)

- One of these hexagonal JLC clocks with logo was sold by Antiquorum Auctioneers of Geneva, Switzerland in 2011. The auction house has no information on the meaning of the logo based on correspondence between me and Antiquorum watch expert director.

- A few others have been spotted on some popular internet auction venues. Even one that seems to have been "tuned" with woodwork during its history. However all have the SR logotype on the watch face.

- The vague resemblance of the Revue-Thommen logo will be addressed in another post soon. (matter discussed with Swiss Initiative Limited recently)

I never saw this logo on any of the 8 days clocks with metal case.

This post is to omit any speculation on a very similar logotype, albeit a much younger one and actually completely different anyhow.

Revue-Thommen has a logo formed by mirrored letter R. This logo was initially filed for registration in 1980. However it is still unsure when actual use was started. There has been correspondence on this between me and the CEO of Swiss Initiative Limited worldwide distributor of Revue-Thommen watches.

It is now completely clear that the special logotype on the Jaeger-LeCoultre hexagonal clock are formed by letters SR. The logo has been in use by a still functioning Swiss company (est.1863) since its 100th anniversary until the mid 1990's when the logo was revised to its current and completely different form.

The logo on the hexagonal JLC clock belongs to Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd or SWISS RE as generally known. The logo has been used by the company since early 1960 until mid 1990. (current company logo is completely different)

http://www.swissre.com/about_us/our_history/established_1863/?syr=1860&eyr=1869

history.swissre.com .php?id=100&comefrom=item*94

Many thanks to Okay Art of Basel Switzerland for solving this mystery!

Here is some material showing the SR "logo in action";

http://tinyurl.com/puyn8z5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=haA0CuwFKt0

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Jaeger LeCoultre made these hexagonal 8-day clocks at least for Hermés Paris and Swiss Re.

I have yet to find a document providing accurate specifications of the movement in this hexagonal Jaeger LeCoultre desk clock.

Looking under the press-on back cover no movement caliber number can easily be seen. Combining a few auction house catalog texts the movement is described as;

45mm JLC cal. 222, rhodium-plated, 15 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, self-compensating flat balance spring, index regulator.

The 8-day running Jaeger-LeCoultre 19 ligne (42,90 mm) movement actually runs a full 14 days before full stop. It starts gaining slightly after a week of going, being some +4 minutes (+240 sec.) on day 14.

Sorry for asking but do you have any idea how I can open this clock? I mean, I need to do repair work on the leather but I do not now how to remove the glass. Any information would be appreciated
Best,
Noud

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This message has been edited by Noud on 2016-04-15 13:18:14

They exist. I know a few in Paris.
Best,
Nicolas

(Sorry for the double post of the pictures)

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