Saturday, September 17, 2011

STEINHAUSEN LEONARDO TW783G SKELETON GENTS WRISTWATCH (SOLD)







Swiss inventor and architect Ulrich Van-Heusen was a master craftsman who dedicated himself to his trade. He lived in an era when only the wealthy could afford a timepiece. But in 1923, Van-Heusen completed his first automatic calendar watch - only one of seven he ever completed. It displayed not only the time, but also the date, day and month; and it was the first to designate the difference between AM and PM. Van-Heusen named his brand Steinhausen after the region in Switzerland from where his family came. He was steadfast in his belief that wristwatches, not the prevalent pocket watch, would eventually become an item people could not live without. And he was correct! The Great Depression almost eliminated handmade watches of this quality. One that remains today fetched $300,000 at auction. Wristwatches became the must-have item for people of all social strata, but the distinguished gentry continued to buy Steinhausen's handcrafted marvels.

Steinhausen continues its reputation of producing the finest workmanship and classy designs. And now, we are pleased to re-introduce the original Steinhausen model with stylish updates. Like the original Steinhausen, each watch is painstakingly reproduced by hand from 185 genuine Swiss parts. Then it is so rigorously tested for two weeks that just six percent of movements made end up in a Steinhausen. Swiss automatic movement standards allow for an accuracy of +25/-27 seconds per day and the Steinhausen watches rate +15/-13 seconds per day, making it more accurate.

The Limited Edition Leonardo follows the tradition of displaying the movement through exhibition frontcase and backcase. The sweeping second-hand movement, brushed and polished stainless steel, and gold tone dial with Roman numerals is included, too. However, they added hand-cut precious sapphire gemstones from Vietnam to the buttons to add a rich luster, 21 jewels aid movement and accuracy; and interchangeable brown, black leather and gold/stainless steel wristbands to match whatever you're wearing.
SOLD TO HJ KADIR FROM SUBANG

Friday, September 16, 2011

AUTHENTIC JAEGER LE COULTER WRISTALARM (EALIER MEMOVOX) GENTS WRISTWATCH (HADIAH)








BRAND/JENAMA: AUTHENTIC VINTAGE 10K GOLD FILLED LECOULTRE WRISTALARM (EALIER MEMOVOX) GENTS WRISTWATCH

MADE IN/BUATAN: SWISS

CIRCA/TAHUN: 1960's

MODEL: POWER RESERVED

CRYSTAL/CERMIN: ACRYLIC

MOVEMENT/ENJIN: LECOULTRE 17 JEWELS MANUAL MOVEMENT CAL.411

DIAL COLOR: CHAMPAGNE

FUNCTION/FUNGSI: HOUR, MINUTE, SECOND AND ALARM DISC

HANDS/JARUM: GOLD TONE

MARKERS/TANDA WAKTU: GOLD TONE STICKS AND ARABIC MARKERS

CASING : 10K GOLD FILLED

LUGS: 16mm UNUSUAL LOGS LUGS

MEASUREMENT/UKURAN: 34mm DIAMETER INCLUDING CROWN and 37mm LUG TO LUG

BEZEL: 10K GOLD FILLED BEZEL

DITANDA/ENGARVED BACK CASING: -

CROWN: UNSIGNED ORIGINAL CROWN

STRAP/TALI: 10K GOLD FILLED SPIEDEL BAND

SIZE STRAP/SAIZ TALI: 9.5" FULL LENGHT

DISCONTINUED LECOULTRE MODEL... RARE BUMPER MODEL!

EXCELLENT CONDITION, KEEPING GOODTIME AND ALARM BUZZING LOUDLY

PRICE/HARGA: USD1100 (GIFT TO MY SON)

A BRIEF HISTORY OF LE COULTRE WATCHES

A brilliant inventor and self-taught watchmaker, Antoine-LeCoultre founded his first workshop in 1833, following the invention of a machine to produce watchmaking pinions. Ever since, the Manufacture Jaeger-Lecoultre has developed constantly around the founder's original workshops.

Surprisingly enough, it was neither a physicist nor an engineer who first measured the micron; it was Antoine LeCoultre, in 1844. He had created watch components that were so perfect no tool could actually detect their degree of inaccuracy. He followed that up by inventing the world's most accurate instrument: the Millionometer, which served as a benchmark for over half a century.

In 1847, LeCoultre created a revolutionary system that was to do away with the need for keys to rewind and set watches. His simple and brilliant solution was a pushbutton that activated a lever to switch from one function to another. It was the first keyless winding mechanism, and the first reliable system that eliminated the need for keys to wind or set a watch.

In 1866, when Swiss watchmaking was still structured around small home-run workshops, Antoine LeCoultre and his son Elie decided to bring together under one rood the many skills involved in making watches, and installed a steam-driven machine to operate their new tools. LeCoultre & Cie thus became the first Manufacture in the Vallée de Joux.

It was in 1903 when the Parisian Edmond Jaeger set Swiss watchmakers the challenge of producing ultra-thin calibres. It would lead to the Calibre 145, the world's thinnest mechanical movement, measuring no more than 1.38 mm, and the friendship of Antoine LeCoultre's grandson, Jacques-Devid LeCoultre. These two men would give a rise to a range of horological wonders, and eventually the birth of the Jaeger-LeCoultre brand in 1937.

In the year 1908, the Manufacture created its first rectangular-shaped calibre in response to the challenge created to miniaturize watches to wear on the wrist. By the "Roaring 20s" (1920s), very small ladies' wristwatches were all the rage, but extreme miniaturization always led to a loss of reliability and precision. The Duoplan brilliantly solved this problem by arranging its parts on split levels. It would lead to the world's smallest movement, Calibre 101. Outdoing the Calibre 145, Jaeger-Lecoultre miniaturized the Duoplan caliber to the extreme, weighing in at barely one gram and comprising of 74 parts. Its record is still unmatched to this date.

Since its founding, the Manufacture has created and produced over 1,000 different calibres in many varieties. Over 200 patented inventions have contributed to the progress of Swiss watchmaking in the field of movements, as well as that of cases, bracelets, dials, and watch functions.


Tuesday, September 13, 2011

AUTHENTIC MARVIN AUTOMATIC BUMPER GENTS WRISTWATCH









Marvin is a classic watch-making brand steeped in the tradition of fine Swiss horology since 1850. For over 150 years, it has remained true to its founding principles of passion, daringness, strong ethics and humor.

The Marvin brand is known for its tradition of beautiful and reliable time pieces, rich in style and history.Marvin's elegant and original watches, powered by top-quality Swiss movements, propelled the company to success early on in over sixty countries. And now, once again, Marvin is poised to reinvent the luxury watch.Unique aesthetics and daring designs. Relentless attention to detail and finish. Exclusive and unique concepts. All brought together with technical perfection at affordable prices. This is what the unmistakable signature of a Marvin timepiece is all about. To view latest version of Marvin watches, please visit Marvin E-Boutique

THE HISTORY
Brothers Marc and Emmanuel Didisheim create their watch-making company in 1850 and base it in St-Imier, in the Jura section of Switzerland. The company experiences quick and significant growth based on product quality and extensive distribution networks. In the early 20th century, the company takes up the name “Marvin”, honoring its largest American partner. It also establishes the three-pointed crown as its corporate logo symbolizing both the inverted “M” of Marvin and the “W” of watch. After taking the USA by storm, Marvin takes top billing among Swiss watch brands in over sixty countries worldwide. Over time, millions of watches are produced including several well known collector classics.

Marvin components were considered so reliable, that even other brands licensed them internally. Movie stars, politicians and racing legends all wore Marvin watches at one point in time. And Marvin also produced official corporate pieces for Air France, KLM, Ferrari, Mercedes, Jaguar, MG, Chevrolet and Rover. Over time, four generations of Didisheims have taken the helm at Marvin, succeeding one another. And while Marvin has always embraced change, the same vision of authenticity, originality, detail, and quality has driven the company and its people for over 160 years until today.

Friday, September 2, 2011

RARE COLLECTORS' ITEM: SEIKO TUNA CAN 600M 6159-7010 PROFESSIONAL DIVER WATCH (SOLD)











This is my second classic 6159-7010 shrouded diver that was made between 1975 and 1978. Some say that its sheer rarity puts its desirability, the 6159-7010 was one of the best JDM Seiko Diver ever produced, using 6159A automatic movement that mostly equipped the Grand Seiko watches.

The 6159 line are the highly collectible, 6159-7001 Professional 300m sold in the late 1960s and the movement was later chosen to equipped 6159-7010.
Seiko designed the 6159-7010 Professional 600m as the most advanced in diving watch technology for professional diver in 1960's


MOVEMENTORIGINAL AUTOMATIC MOVEMENT, Cal. 6159A, Seventeen(17) Jewels With Hacking Mechanism.
Professionally serviced just recently and is running well.
METALSolid Titanium Case and Case back.
CASE 'n SIZEORIGINAL FACTORY CASE WITH ORIGINAL . .
Width: 52 mm excluding crown; length: 55mm from lug to lug. Thick: 18mm with bezel.
DIAL/MINUTE CHAPTER RING/HANDSORIGINAL SEIKO 6159-7010 DIAL AND HANDS

STEM/CROWNORIGINAL STEM (male/female type) engages hands, day and date wheel as it should.
ORIGINAL CROWN it screws down securely at 3x180 degrees turn.
It Comes With English/Japanese Day Wheel.
CRYSTAL/Retainer RINGOriginal Hardlex Crystal with minor scratches
Crystal is attached with crack-free ORIGINAL CRYSTAL-RETAINING RING NOT glued.
Rotating BEZEL 'n INSERTORIGINAL BEZEL RING rotates in bidirectional rotation with clicks.
ORIGINAL BEZEL INSERT.
BRACELET/STRAPIt comes with green Nato Strap.
FAT SPRING BARS are used in this watch as Seiko diver should come on fat spring bars.
SERIAL NUMBER501457 which dates production back on January 1975. She is 36years old.
WATER RESISTANCEWater Proof 600 Meters
MY PRICE: SOLD TO PETER LIM CHING KNG, SINGAPORE
SOLD USD1600

COLLECTORS 'ITEM - MY PERSONAL COLLECTION HEUER AUCTAVIA AUTOMATIC CHRONOGRAPH CAL.12 GENTS WRISTWATCH (SOLD)













  • Manufacturer: Heuer
  • Retail: RM7,500 preowned
  • Circa: 1970s
  • Diameter: not including crown 42mm
  • Lug tip to Lug tip: 47Mm
  • Distance between lugs: 20Mm
  • Thickness: 15Mm
  • Case condition: Very good, minor scratches on back case and tiny scratches on the bezel
  • Case Metal: Stainless steel
  • Dial condition: Very good-excellent, minor blemishes
  • Dial Color: Black
  • All the words on dial: Autavia Heuer Automatic Chronograph
  • Numerals: Stick markers
  • Hands: Index with red accents
  • All words on case and case back Heuer - Leonidas SA Swiss Stainless steel
  • Movement Type: Automatic
  • Movement Condition: Very good, has been keeping good time
  • All words/numbers on movement: Seventeen 17 jewels unadjusted Swiss Heuer Cal 12
  • Jewel count: 17 jewels
  • Crystal: Acrylic, overall good, some minor scratches and scuffs
  • Crown: Fluted, snaps and winds well on left side
  • Bracelet and total watch length: 9 ¾" in length
  • Total Watch weight: 104.1 Grams
  • Bracelet Material: New Non Heuer genuine black with red stripe leather
  • Clasp or buckle: Buckle
  • Warranty: None
  • Engravings or Personalization's: None
  • Box: None
  • Papers: None
  • Manuals: None
  • Accessories: None SOLD TO LKY FROM PJ
  • The TAG Heuer company has its roots in 1860 when Edouard Heuer founded Uhrenmanufaktur Heuer AG in St-Imier, Switzerland, patenting his first chronograph in 1882. In 1887 Heuer patented an 'oscillating pinion' still used by major watchmakers for mechanical chronographs.
    Early 20th century
    In 1911, Heuer received a patent for the "Time of Trip", the first dashboard chronograph. Designed for use in automobiles and aircraft, two large hands mounted from the center pinion indicate the time of day, as on a traditional clock. A small pair of hands, mounted at the top of the dial (12 o'clock position) indicates the duration of the trip (up to 12 hours). A top-mounted crown allows the user to set the time; a button mounted in that crown operates the start / stop / reset functions of the "duration of trip" counter.
    Heuer introduced its first wrist chronograph in 1914. The crown was at the 12 o'clock position, as these first wrist chronographs were adapted from pocket chronographs. In 1916, Heuer introduced the "Micrograph", the first stopwatch accurate to 1/100 of a second. This model was soon followed by the "Semikrograph", a stopwatch that offered 1/50 of a second timing, as well as a split-second function (which allows the user to determine the interval between two contestants or events).
    Timepieces of the 1930s and 1940s
    In 1933, Heuer introduced the "Autavia", a dashboard timer used for automobiles and aviation (whence its name, from "AUTos" and "AVIAtion"). The companion "Hervue" was a clock that could run for eight days without being wound. Over the period from 1935 through the early 1940s, Heuer manufactured chronographs for pilots in the German Air Force, known as "Flieger" (pilots) chronographs. The earlier version featured a hinged-back case and one pusher (for start / stop / reset); the later version had a snap-back case and added a second pusher (for time-in and time-out). All these Flieger chronographs had two-registers, with a capacity of 30 minutes.
    In the mid-1940s, Heuer expanded its line of chronographs to include both two- and three-register models, as well as a three-register chronograph that included a full calendar function (day / date / month). As the highest development of Heuer's chronographs, these "triple calendar" chronographs were offered in stainless steel, 14 carat gold 18 and 22 carat gold cases. Dial colors were white, black or copper.
    1950s chronographs
    In the early 1950s, Heuer produced watches for the American retailer Abercrombies & Fitch. The "Seafarer" and "Auto-Graph" were unique chronographs produced by Heuer to be sold by Abercrombie & Fitch. The "Seafarers" had special dials—with blue, green and yellow patterns—that showed the high and low tides. This dial could also be used to track the phases of the moon. Heuer produced a version of the "Seafarer" for sale under the Heuer name, with this model called the "Mareographe". The "Auto-Graph" was produced in 1953 and 1954, and featured a tachymeter scale on the dial and a hand that could be preset to a specific point on the scale. This allowed a rally driver or navigator to determine whether the car was achieving the desired pace, over a measured mile. Advertisements and literature also pointed out that this hand could be rotated to count golf scores or other events.
    Late 1950s – new series of dashboard timers
    From 1911, Heuer manufactured timepieces to be mounted on the dashboards of automobiles, aircraft and boats. These clocks and timers included a variety of models, designed to address specific needs of racers and rallyists. In 1958, Heuer introduced a new line of dashboard timepieces, which included the Master Time (8-day clock), the Monte Carlo (12-hour stopwatch), the Super Autavia (full chronograph), Sebring (60-minute, split-second timer) and Auto-Rallye (60-minute stopwatch). Heuer continued to manufacture these dashboard timepieces into the 1980s, at which time they were discontinued. Heuer also introduced timing devices for ski and motor racing events, including Formula One.
    1960s chronographs
    Autavia, 1962
    Carrera, 1963
    From the 1950s to the 1970s, Heuers were popular watches among automobile racers, both professionals and amateurs. Heuer was a leading producer of stopwatches and timing equipment, based on the volume of its sales, so it was only natural that racers, their crews and event sponsors began to wear Heuer's chronographs. Special versions of Heuer chronographs were produced with logos of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as well as the names or logos of racing teams or sponsors (for example, Shelby Cobra, MG and Champion Sparkplugs.
    The Autavia chronograph was introduced in 1962 and featured a rotating bezel, marked in either hours, minutes, decimal minutes (1/100th minute increments) or with a tachymeter scale. All manual-wind Autavias from the 1960s had a black dial, with white registers. Early cases had a screw-back and later models (from and after 1968) had snap-backs. The "Autavia" name had previously been used on Heuer's dashboard timers (described above).
    ">In 1962, Heuer became the first Swiss watchmaker in space. John Glenn wore a Heuer stopwatch when he piloted the Mercury Atlas 6 spacecraft on the first US manned space flight to orbit the earth. This stopwatch was the back-up clock for the mission and was started manually by Glenn 20 seconds into the flight. It is currently on display at the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
    ">The Carrera chronograph, designed by Jack Heuer, was introduced in 1963. The Carrera had a very simple design, with only the registers and applied markers on the dial. The fixed inner bezel is divided into 1/5 second increments. The 1960s Carreras were available with a variety of dials, including all-white, all-black, white registers on a black dial, and black registers on a black dial. A three-register, triple calendar version of the Carrera was introduced around 1968. ">Most of Heuer chronographs from this period—including the Autavias and Carreras—used movements manufactured by Valjoux, including the Valjoux 72 movement (for a 12-hour chronograph) and the Valjoux 92 movement (for a 30-minute or 45-minute chronograph). The Valjoux 72 movement utilized a 'tri-compax' design, with three registers on the dial—one register for the chronograph hours (at the bottom), one register for the chronograph minutes (at the right), and a third register for a continuously running second hand (at the left). The second hand for the chronograph was mounted on the center pinion, along with the time-of-day hands.
    Heuer acquired the "Leonidas" brand in the early 1960s, with the combined company marketing watches under the "Heuer-Leonidas" name. One of the designs that Heuer acquired from Leonidas was the "Bundeswehr" chronograph, used by the German air force. These "BWs" feature a 'fly-back' mechanism, so that when the chronograph is reset to zero, it immediately begins running again, to time the next segment or event.
    World's first automatic chronographs
    Commencing in the mid-1960s, Heuer was part of a partnership (with Breitling and Hamilton) that sought to introduce the world's first automatic chronograph. Seiko (a Japanese watch manufacturer) and Zenith (a Swiss watch manufacturer) were also seeking to be the first to offer these chronographs. These projects were conducted in secret, as none of the competitors wanted the other companies to be aware of their efforts. Most agree that the Heuer-Breitling venture was first to introduce their new line of automatic chronographs to the world wide market, with Heuer-Breitling-Hamilton holding lavish press conferences in Geneva and New York, on 3 March 1969, to show their new lines of chronograph line-height: 10px;">s.
    The Heuer Monaco 40th Anniversary re-edition with Calibre 11, is a limited edition contemporary replica of the original Monaco.
    Heuer's first automatic chronographs were the Autavia, Carrera and Monaco. These were powered by the Cal 11 and Cal 12 movements (12-hour chronograph); Cal 14 movement (12-hour chronograph and additional hand for GMT / second time-zone) and the Cal 15 movement (30-minute chronograph). Unusually, the winding crown was on the left, with the pushers for the chronograph on the right. The earliest of Heuer's Cal 11 chronographs (from 1969) were named "Chrono-Matic". In the early 1970s, Heuer expanded its line of automatic chronographs to include the Daytona, Montreal, Silverstone, Calculator, Monza and Jarama models, all of them powered by the Caliber 11 movement.
    Several of the automatic Heuer chronographs powered by the Caliber 11 series of movements are associated with automobile racing and specific drivers. Steve McQueen wore a blue Monaco in the 1971 movie Le Mans(with this model now referred to as the "McQueen Monaco") and Swiss Formula One star Jo Siffert customarily wore a white-dialed Autavia with black registers. In 1974, Heuer produced a special version of the black-dialed Autavia that was offered by the Viceroy cigarette company, in a special promotion for $88. The Viceroy advertisements for this promotion featured race Parnelli Jones, this version of the Autavia got to be called the "Viceroy".
    Chronographs of the 1970s and 1980s
    In 1975, Heuer introduced the Chronosplit, a digital chronograph with dual LED and LCD displays. Later versions featured two LCD displays.
    Heuer began using the Valjoux 7750 movement in its automatic chronographs, with the Kentucky and Pasadena models (both introduced in 1977). The Valjoux 7750 movement was a three-register chronograph (with seconds, minutes and hours), that also offered day / date windows.
    In the mid-1970s, Heuer introduced a series of chronographs powered by the Lemania 5100 movement. The Lemania 5100 movements have the minute hand for the chronograph on the center pinion (rather than on a smaller register), greatly improving legibility. The Lemania 5100 movement is considered very rugged and has been used in a variety of chronographs issued to military pilots. There are ten models of Heuer chronographs powered by the Lemania 5100—Reference 510.500 (stainless steel), 510.501 (black coated), 510.502 (olive drab coated), 510.503 (pewter coated), 510.511 (Carrera dialed acrylic crystal PVD finish), 510.523 (Carrera dialed acrylic crystal stainless steel), as well as models with the names Silverstone (steel case with black dial) and Cortina (steel case with blue dial); the Reference 510.543 was made for the A.M.I. (Italian Air Force) and a special edition (with no reference number marked on the case) was made for AudiSport.
    Formation
    TAG Heuer was formed in 1985 when TAG (Techniques d'Avant Garde), manufacturers of high-tech items such as ceramic turbochargers for Formula One cars, acquired Heuer.
    On 13 September 1999 TAG Heuer accepted a bid from LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.A. of SwFr1.15 billion (£452.15 million) (US$739 million) contingent upon a transfer of 50.1% of stocks.

    AUTHENTIC VINTAGE LECOULTRE MASTER MARINER HPG HI-BEAT GENTS WRISTWATCH






    BRAND/JENAMA: AUTHENTIC VINTAGE LECOULTRE MASTER MARINER HPG GENTS WRISTWATCH

    MADE IN/BUATAN: SWISS

    CIRCA/TAHUN: 1970's

    MODEL: DRESS

    CRYSTAL/CERMIN: ACRYLIC - CLEAN

    MOVEMENT/ENJIN: HIGH PRECISION GRADE (HPG) 36000 HI-BEAT LECOULTRE 21 JEWELS AUTOMATIC WINDING MOVEMENT- (OPEN THROUGH CRYSTAL)

    DIAL: GOLD TONE WITH RED DATE WINDOW AT 3:00 - SOME PATINA SPOT, PLEASE SEE THE PHOTOS

    HANDS/JARUM: GOLD TONE HANDS

    MARKERS/TANDA WAKTU: GOLD TONE STICK MARKERS

    CASING : 10K PINK GOLD FILLED

    LUGS: 18mm

    MEASUREMENT/UKURAN: 35mm DIAMETER WITH CROWN and 36mm LUG TO LUG

    BEZEL: 10K GOLD ILLED

    DITANDA/ENGARVED BACK CASING: -

    CROWN: ORIGINAL UNSIGNED GP CROWN

    STRAP/TALI: BLACK LEATHER BAND

    SIZE STRAP/SAIZ TALI: 8.5" FULL LENGHT

    DISCONTINUED LECOULTRE MODEL... RARE HPG HI-BEAT MOVT

    EXCELLENT CONDITION, KEEPING GOODTIME AND RECENTLY SERVICED

    PRICE/HARGA: USD1100 (NEGOTIABLE/BOLEH DIRUNDING)

    A BRIEF HISTORY OF LE COULTRE WATCHES

    A brilliant inventor and self-taught watchmaker, Antoine-LeCoultre founded his first workshop in 1833, following the invention of a machine to produce watchmaking pinions. Ever since, the Manufacture Jaeger-Lecoultre has developed constantly around the founder's original workshops.

    Surprisingly enough, it was neither a physicist nor an engineer who first measured the micron; it was Antoine LeCoultre, in 1844. He had created watch components that were so perfect no tool could actually detect their degree of inaccuracy. He followed that up by inventing the world's most accurate instrument: the Millionometer, which served as a benchmark for over half a century.

    In 1847, LeCoultre created a revolutionary system that was to do away with the need for keys to rewind and set watches. His simple and brilliant solution was a pushbutton that activated a lever to switch from one function to another. It was the first keyless winding mechanism, and the first reliable system that eliminated the need for keys to wind or set a watch.

    In 1866, when Swiss watchmaking was still structured around small home-run workshops, Antoine LeCoultre and his son Elie decided to bring together under one rood the many skills involved in making watches, and installed a steam-driven machine to operate their new tools. LeCoultre & Cie thus became the first Manufacture in the Vallée de Joux.

    It was in 1903 when the Parisian Edmond Jaeger set Swiss watchmakers the challenge of producing ultra-thin calibres. It would lead to the Calibre 145, the world's thinnest mechanical movement, measuring no more than 1.38 mm, and the friendship of Antoine LeCoultre's grandson, Jacques-Devid LeCoultre. These two men would give a rise to a range of horological wonders, and eventually the birth of the Jaeger-LeCoultre brand in 1937.

    In the year 1908, the Manufacture created its first rectangular-shaped calibre in response to the challenge created to miniaturize watches to wear on the wrist. By the "Roaring 20s" (1920s), very small ladies' wristwatches were all the rage, but extreme miniaturization always led to a loss of reliability and precision. The Duoplan brilliantly solved this problem by arranging its parts on split levels. It would lead to the world's smallest movement, Calibre 101. Outdoing the Calibre 145, Jaeger-Lecoultre miniaturized the Duoplan caliber to the extreme, weighing in at barely one gram and comprising of 74 parts. Its record is still unmatched to this date.

    HISTORY OF VACHERON CONSTATIN (VC) AND JAEGER-LECOULTRE (JLC)

    1938 after years of close cooperation, LeCoultre takes a partial ownership position, and a Jaeger-LeCoultre marketing alliance is formed.
    Jaeger's Swiss sales organization were moved into the VC business address in Geneva

    1940 George Ketterer, through SAPIC, takes a majority shares position in VC. Ketterer was Managing Director at SAPIC, which was the holding company for Le Coultre, Jaeger-Le Coultre, and a majority shareholder of VC; he was also a Manager in VC. There was a Ketterer in charge at VC - either George or his son Jacques - until 1987.

    1940-1950's VC's operational role became etablisseur to LeCoultre's manufacture

    1944 The caliber 2003 is announced - 1.64mm thinnest manual wind in history - by AP, and VC participates in a similar announcement.

    1946 AP ships the finished Ultra Thin based on the cal. 2003 (AP company literature, No. 1, 2000)

    1950's US importer was VC-Le Coultre, which was itself a division of Longines Wittnauer Watch Co

    1955 VC 200 year bicentennial -
    VC releases Ultra Thin announced in 1944 as a 200 year anniversary piece. Vacheron claim several advanced features not claimed by AP for the cal. 2003, including unique escapement and regulator innovations, which allowed for the elimination of shock protection and the elimination of adjustment normally required after cleaning and lubrication.
    VC presented to Bulganin (Soviet Union), Eden (Great Britain), Eisenhower (USA), Faure (France)

    1965 George Ketterer left Jaeger LeCoultre and went to head VC, thus separating the LeCoultre ownership connection