Jaeger-LeCoultre watches have long been known for their technological advancements. In 1833, Antoine LeCoultre, the son of a local watchmaker, opened a small factory in the town of Le Sentier and soon proved to be a gifted watchmaker and inventor himself. In 1844, LeCoultre invented the world’s most accurate measuring instrument – the millionometer. The millionometer was an instrument that could accurately measure up to one thousandth of a millimeter, revolutionizing the industry. Eventually, LeCoultre became the leading supplier of movements, parts and tools to some of the largest and most elite Swiss watch manufacturers. When LeCoultre merged with the company of Edmond Jaeger, who exclusively supplied watch movements to Cartier, they created the Jaeger-LeCoultre brand and began manufacturing their own watches. The merger brought advanced technical innovations such as the stainless steel case and the smallest mechanical movement in the world, weighing less than one gram.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Legacy
The reputation of Jaeger-LeCoultre watches continued on into the 20th century. Not only did the company continue to produce luxury watches, it also continued to make significant technological advancements. In 1903, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the world’s thinnest pocket watch movement. In 1931, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the one of the most legendary watches in the world, even to today. The Reverso case swivels 180 degrees, protecting the crystal and dial. The economic crisis following World War II almost doomed the success of the Reverso model until an Italian designer visited the factory and fitted a number of unused Reverso cases with movements. Today, the Reverso is Jaeger-LeCoultre's most popular watch model. In 1953, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the Futurematic, which was an automatic watch with no wind down. In 1982, the Caliber 601 watch earned the title of the world’s thinnest movement. In the 1990s, the company continued to advance its Reverso model. In 1993, Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tourbillon watch was introduced and in 1994, the Reverso Duo was released. In 1996, the Reverso was offered with a retrograde chronograph and in 1998, the company added a time zone mechanism.
Today Jaeger-LeCoultre is one of the few Swiss companies that still produce its own movements, cases, dials, hands and bracelets. Jaeger-LeCoultre watches are still hand-finished and produced in-house.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Collection
In addition to the popular Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso watch, the company also has several other designs as part of their collection. The Master Calendar series is a intricate watch that features several displays that mark time, including a date display, apertures that display the day, month, and moon phases. The Master Compressor boasts a very technologically complicated movement within a mid-size case. It is also water resistant. Other Jaeger-LeCoultre watch models include the Joaillerie 101, the Ideale, the Atmos, the Amvox, and the Grande Complication.
Jaeger-LeCoultre at Wingate’s
Wingate’s is proud to offer a selection of renowned Jaeger-LeCoultre watches for men and women including: Master, Master Classic, Master Moon, Reverso Art Deco and Reverso Duo.
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