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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Military pocket watch

Jaeger-LeCoultre Steel Military Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This open-face military pocket watch by Jaeger-LeCoultre is dated by the auction house to circa 1940. It features a 52 mm stainless steel case with a top-mounted winding crown and suspension bow. The watch is powered by a manual-wind movement offering time-only functionality. The white dial is signed 'Jaeger-LeCoultre' and 'SWISS MADE', displaying Arabic numeral hour indicators with stylized numerals at 12, 3, and 9, an outer railroad track, and subsidiary seconds at 6 o'clock. The cataloguer notes that the dial has probably been repainted, the hands are later replacements, and the bow is no longer fixed.

Dial and case view of the Jaeger-LeCoultre stainless steel military pocket watch
Dial and case view of the Jaeger-LeCoultre stainless steel military pocket watch — Christie’s. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
onlineonly.christies.com
Category
Pocket watch · Military pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
445
Source-reported date
circa 1940
Country
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case Construction and Physical Condition

This open-face pocket watch is housed in a stainless steel case measuring 52 mm in diameter. Existing observations record a polished bezel framing the dial along with a rounded winding bow positioned above a fluted crown at 12 o'clock.

According to the condition report from Christie's, the case is in very good overall condition with light scratches, and the suspension bow is not fixed anymore.

Evidence for this section
  • “CASE MATERIAL: Stainless steel”
  • “CASE DIAMETER: 52 mm.”
  • “Open-face stainless steel case with a polished bezel and rounded winding bow above a fluted crown at 12 o'clock.”
  • “In very good overall condition with light scratches. The bow is not fixed anymore.”

Dial Configuration and Alterations

The white dial features bold Arabic numerals, with the 12, 3, and 9 rendered in an outlined font style. Visible observations note a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock marked every 10 seconds, as well as signatures reading 'Jaeger-LeCoultre' below 12 o'clock and 'SWISS MADE' along the lower edge below 6 o'clock.

Direct observation records prominent craquelure and surface loss across the main dial and small seconds area. The auction condition report notes that the dial has probably been repainted and describes the hands as later replacements.

Evidence for this section
  • “DIAL: White”
  • “Bold Arabic numerals with numerals 12, 3, and 9 presented in an outlined font style.”
  • “Subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock with markers every 10 seconds.”
  • “Signed 'Jaeger-LeCoultre' below 12 o'clock and 'SWISS MADE' along the bottom edge below 6 o'clock.”
  • “White dial surface exhibits prominent craquelure and surface loss across the main dial and small seconds area.”
  • “The dial has probably been repainted.”
  • “The hands are later.”

Mechanism and Documentation Limitations

The auction catalog categorizes the piece as a manual-wind watch with time-only functionality, assigning it an estimated production date of circa 1940. The condition report states that the movement was ticking at the time of cataloguing, though a service was recommended.

Internal mechanical details, including caliber number, movement serial number, and case back or military markings, are not recorded in this source. The lot was offered accompanied by a presentation box.

Evidence for this section
  • “CIRCA: 1940”
  • “MOVEMENT: Manual”
  • “FUNCTIONS: Time only”
  • “WITH: Presentation box”
  • “The movement is ticking at the time of cataloguing; however, a service is recommended.”

Open research questions

  • What movement caliber and serial number are stamped on the internal mechanism?
  • Are there military branch marks, broad arrows, or issue numbers engraved on the case back not shown in the lot documentation?
  • What original hand configuration and finish were originally fitted to this model?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Jaeger-LeCoultre Steel Military Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Circa1940“CIRCA: 1940”
Case MaterialStainless steel“CASE MATERIAL: Stainless steel”
Case Diameter52 mm“CASE DIAMETER: 52 mm.”
DialWhite“DIAL: White”
MovementManual“MOVEMENT: Manual”
FunctionsTime only“FUNCTIONS: Time only”
Included ItemsPresentation box“WITH: Presentation box”
Ticking StatusTicking at cataloguing; service recommended“The movement is ticking at the time of cataloguing; however, a service is recommended.”
Case Condition ReportVery good overall with light scratches; bow not fixed“In very good overall condition with light scratches. The bow is not fixed anymore.”
Overall Condition NoteGood for its age“Overall condition: Good for its age.”

Visible details

  • Open-face stainless steel case with a polished bezel and rounded winding bow above a fluted crown at 12 o'clock.
  • White dial surface exhibits prominent craquelure and surface loss across the main dial and small seconds area.
  • Bold Arabic numerals with numerals 12, 3, and 9 presented in an outlined font style.
  • Subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock with markers every 10 seconds.
  • Signed 'Jaeger-LeCoultre' below 12 o'clock and 'SWISS MADE' along the bottom edge below 6 o'clock.

Research qualifications

  • Christie's condition report notes the dial has probably been repainted.
  • The hands are noted by the source as later replacements.
  • The suspension bow is noted as not fixed anymore.
  • Movement caliber, serial numbers, and inner case markings are not described or visible.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

JAEGER-LECOULTRE, STEEL MILITARY POCKET WATCH, | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 0c8337b16e

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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