JAEGER LE COULTRE CAL: 478 Feedback Needed

TomAdam · Jan 11, 2026

Hello // TheI’d appreciate a second opinion from experienced members on this vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre cal. 478 I won at auction.

From your experience, I’d like feedback on:

-Whether everything appears original and correct (dial, hands, case, movement)
-Any observations or red flags you might notice from the photos
-Your thoughts on the overall condition
-And whether you feel the price paid (€730 + €75 shipping) is fair for the market

Any insights or comparisons with similar pieces would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your time and expertise. I used the following reference https://blommanwatchreport.com/2020/01/30/jaeger-lecoultre-e-373-powerwind/ however I could not find the exact model - I beleive it issued as US Import since the dial mention LeCoultre which is unfamilier is for US market normally see LeCoultre on dial as well // The seller listed it as WW2 Military watch which I believe is wrong

Larry S · Jan 11, 2026

No not military … Field watch in good shape. No red Flags to my eyes. Logo seems familiar. Price seems appropriate.

TomAdam · Jan 11, 2026

Larry S
No not military … Field watch in good shape. No red Flags to my eyes. Logo seems familiar. Price seems appropriate.

Thanks for confirming this Larry, two points I’d appreciate input on:
Caseback branding: The case is stamped LeCoultre rather than Jaeger-LeCoultre. My understanding is that this can be correct for certain export or period cases. The seconds hand looks a bit different from other examples I’ve seen. It appears period-appropriate in terms of size and fit.

TomAdam · Jan 11, 2026

I was a bit confused because the seconds hand shown in a catalog I found looks different.

Larry S · Jan 11, 2026

Wait for other opinions.

TomAdam · Jan 11, 2026

Larry S
Wait for other opinions.

Noted larry, I will, thanks

TomAdam · Jan 11, 2026

Curious to hear what others think as well. Any thoughts?

TomAdam · Jan 11, 2026

Here is another, larger variant version with a 37 mm case. however the watch I got is 33.5. Now I’m even more confused.

gatorcpa · Jan 11, 2026

T TomAdam
I beleive it issued as US Import since the dial mention LeCoultre which is unfamilier is for US market normally see LeCoultre on dial as well

The “LeCoultre” signature is correct and proper for a steel cased Jaeger-LeCoultre watch from the 1940’s, which is what you have. I do not believe this watch to be a U.S. model.

Some steel models exported to the U.S. would have the same signature on the case and just “LeCoultre” on the dial and movement.

Hope this helps,
gatorcpa

Dan S · Jan 11, 2026

I suspect that the tail of the sweep hand may have broken off.

TomAdam · Jan 11, 2026

Dan S
I suspect that the tail of the sweep hand may have broken off.

Hi Dan, would you consider this more likely a period service hand rather than a modern replacement? Based on your observation do you recommend return it since seller offer free return

TomAdam · Jan 11, 2026

gatorcpa
The “LeCoultre” signature is correct and proper for a steel cased Jaeger-LeCoultre watch from the 1940’s, which is what you have. I do not believe this watch to be a U.S. model.

Some steel models exported to the U.S. would have the same signature on the case and just “LeCoultre” on the dial and movement.

Hope this helps,
gatorcpa

Thank you for the clarification - that’s very helpful and reassuring regarding the case signature and export differences.

May I ask for your opinion on the central seconds hand as well? Specifically, do you feel the hand on my example looks original to this variant, a period service replacement, or possibly missing a counterweight/tail,

I’d appreciate your thoughts based on your experience with 1940s JLC steel models. Is it good keep or better return since seller has return policy and look for more honest one

TomAdam · Jan 11, 2026

T TomAdam
Hi Dan, would you consider this more likely a period service hand rather than a modern replacement? Based on your observation do you recommend return it since seller offer free return

It seems you are referring to the counterweight, do you you think it is off and affect the value and beauty of watch, shall I keep it or looks for another honest example, not sure if price justify the watch on that case, from you experience Dan, what would you do

TomAdam · Mon. 3:21am

Thank you all for the valuable knowledge and feedback - it’s been really helpful. I think Dan is correct.

After doing more digging, I managed to find an example very similar to mine but mine has a slightly shorter central seconds hand.

From your experience:

Does the shorter seconds hand on my watch feel off or raise any concern?

Would this typically affect the value in a meaningful way, assuming everything else is correct?

Based on current market levels, do you feel the price I paid fits the watch?

If I ever wanted to source a period-correct seconds hand for this model, is that part usually rare or expensive, and where would you recommend looking (ideally sources that ship internationally)?

I really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their expertise.

Dan S · Mon. 8:10am

It wouldn't be hard to find a sweep hand that is generally similar to the correct one. Probably it won't be exactly right, e.g. the counterweight might not be exactly the same shape/length, but it would look a lot better. Since the hand is straight, not tapered, it can be trimmed to the correct length.

It's really a personal decision about how much that matters to you.

gatorcpa · Mon. 9:52am

T TomAdam
May I ask for your opinion on the central seconds hand as well? Specifically, do you feel the hand on my example looks original to this variant, a period service replacement, or possibly missing a counterweight/tail,

Could be original, but someone cut off back end.

Replacement is going to be difficult. JLC used many different styles on these watches. Not sure which one would be correct.

Here is a possibility, but not cheap:

https://ebay.us/m/jE8lNs

I would suggest having a watchmaker open the watch and measure the existing hand before ordering.

gatorcpa

TomAdam · Mon. 2:32pm

Dan S
It wouldn't be hard to find a sweep hand that is generally similar to the correct one. Probably it won't be exactly right, e.g. the counterweight might not be exactly the same shape/length, but it would look a lot better. Since the hand is straight, not tapered, it can be trimmed to the correct length.

It's really a personal decision about how much that matters to you.

Thanks Dan

TomAdam · Mon. 2:33pm

gatorcpa
Could be original, but someone cut off back end.

Replacement is going to be difficult. JLC used many different styles on these watches. Not sure which one would be correct.

Here is a possibility, but not cheap:

https://ebay.us/m/jE8lNs

I would suggest having a watchmaker open the watch and measure the existing hand before ordering.

gatorcpa

Thanks a lot

SangamoSpecial · Wed. 12:28pm

I would keep the watch because its is in good overall condition - epecially the dial has a nice and even patina. JLC cal. 478-watches in good condition aren't offered too often and many of them have more or less poor radium dials. IMO the tail of the second hand broke off. As has been said eralier: Try to find a similar second hand with tail and have the broken hand changed.

JAEGER LE COULTRE CAL: 478 Feedback Needed

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gatorcpa

Dan S

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gatorcpa

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