Jaeger-LeCoultre

History

The extended history summarises the open references listed under Sources; each statement was checked against the cited passage. Confirm key dates in period documents before relying on them.

Timeline

Jaeger-LeCoultre's recorded dates, dated events from this profile and its sources, and dated pieces and sales from the object catalogue. Dates are as each record gives them.

1. 1833 · Career

   Antoine LeCoultre established his watchmaking workshop in the village of Le Sentier, located in the Vallée de Joux, in 1833.

   Profile text · see Sources

2. 1844 · Career

   Antoine LeCoultre invented the Millionomètre in 1844, which served as a precise measuring instrument for watch parts.

   Profile text · see Sources

3. 1866 · Career

   In 1866, Antoine and his son Elie LeCoultre organized their expertise under one roof to form the manufactory LeCoultre & Cie. The firm was officially renamed Jaeger-LeCoultre in 1937 following the collaboration between LeCoultre & Cie and the Parisian watchmaker Edmond Jaeger.

   Profile text · see Sources

4. circa 1900 · Catalogued piece

   LeCoultre Ladies' Pocket Watch

   Provenance: Auktionshaus Eppli

5. circa 1910 · Catalogued piece

   Jaeger-LeCoultre minute-repeating movement in a chrome case

   Provenance: Antiquorum

6. circa 1930s · Catalogued piece

   LeCoultre 8-Day Travel Clock Retailed by Fortnum & Mason

   Provenance: Christie's

7. 1937 · Career

   The Atmos clock, an atmospherically driven timepiece, was licensed for Swiss production by the company starting in 1937.

   Profile text · see Sources

8. circa 1940s · Catalogued piece

   Jaeger-LeCoultre Stainless Steel Military Openface Pocket Watch 'G.S.T.P.'

   Provenance: Christie's

9. circa 1950 · Catalogued piece

   Jaeger-LeCoultre Triple Calendar Wristwatch, Ref. 141.008.1

   Provenance: Dorotheum

10. 1960s · Catalogued piece

    Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Travel Alarm Clock

    Provenance: Analog:Shift

11. 1970s · Catalogued piece

    Jaeger-LeCoultre Etrier Large Size Reference 9041.42

    Provenance: Bulang & Sons

12. 1990's · Catalogued piece

    Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos Lacquer Chinoiserie Clock

    Provenance: Antiquorum

Current watchmaking & later fate

• Since 2000, the company has been a fully owned subsidiary of the luxury group Richemont.

As stated in the references listed under Sources, retrieved 2026-10-27. Ownership and collections change; check the maker's own announcements for the latest position.

Key models

Atmos

The Atmos is a table clock model that captures energy from temperature and pressure variations to operate, with series production beginning in the 1930s.

Reverso

First introduced in 1931, the Reverso features a reversible case design originally created for polo players.

Calibre 101

Developed in 1929, the Calibre 101 is described as one of the smallest mechanical movements in the world.

Major innovations

• Ultra-thin automatic calibre 920 used by several leading houses
• Long series of very small and very thin movements, including the Calibre 101
• Antoine LeCoultre invented the Millionomètre in 1844, which served as a precise measuring instrument for watch parts.
• The Atmos clock, an atmospherically driven timepiece, was licensed for Swiss production by the company starting in 1937.

Known markings

• 'Jaeger-LeCoultre'
• Earlier 'LeCoultre & Cie' markings
• Calibre number on the movement
• Watches sold in North America between 1932 and 1985 were marketed under the name LeCoultre.

Serial numbers

Movements supplied to other houses were often signed by the retailer or the client, so a movement's design origin and its dial signature may differ.

Collecting significance

Attribution matters: identifying a JLC-designed movement under another signature is a routine part of research on mid-century Swiss watches.

Identification and dating notes

• Watches distributed in the North American market between 1932 and 1985 often feature the brand name LeCoultre rather than Jaeger-LeCoultre.

In the object catalogue

81 catalogued objects are recorded under Jaeger-LeCoultre. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.

• Atmos Clock - Jaeger LeCoultreTorsion & atmospheric clock · 1953
• Jaeger 'Birthday' Desk ClockDesk clock · 1936
• Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Duo Face Night DayHand-wound wristwatch · circa 2000
• Jaeger-LeCoultre 'Atmos' Table Clock with Month and Moon PhasesTorsion & atmospheric clock · circa 2012
• Jaeger-LeCoultre 'Memovox' Travel Alarm Clock with DateTravel & alarm clock · Circa 1970's
• Jaeger-LeCoultre “Atmos Classique” table clockTorsion & atmospheric clock · 1970s
• Jaeger-LeCoultre “Vogue Chronograph” Ref. E2643Chronograph · circa 1970
• Jaeger-LeCoultre 18k Gold Wristwatch, circa 1948Hand-wound wristwatch · um 1948
• Jaeger-LeCoultre 8-Day Pyramid ClockDesk clock · 1960s
• Jaeger-LeCoultre 8-Day Pyramid ClockDesk clock · 1960s
• Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos ClockTorsion & atmospheric clock · circa 1960
• Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos Clock, Reference 528-8Torsion & atmospheric clock

Browse all 81 in the object catalogue

Provenance

Where the 81 catalogued pieces by Jaeger-LeCoultre were recorded, with the collectors, owners and sales their records name.

Collectors, owners and donors

• Calibre 101 CollectionCollection · Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 101 Collection Ref. 282.3.70 Diamond-Set Bracelet Watch
• Property Of An Asian CollectorProvenance Header · Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 101 Collection Ref. 282.3.70 Diamond-Set Bracelet Watch
• Succession Luigi Verga, MilanProvenance · Jaeger-LeCoultre Lady's Bracelet Watch
• The Arman CollectionProvenance · Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Memovox 1000 Hours
• Archibald KelsoProvenance · LeCoultre Reverso circa 1935

Auction history

Each line is copied from the object's source record and is not independently verified. Holders are as recorded when the piece was catalogued: museum objects may not be on display, and sold lots have since changed hands.