I've only seen a few of the Jaeger LeCoultre Geomatic. Finally was able to pick one up last month. Case wears/looks larger than 36mm due to having large dial and practically no bezel. The factory original JLC 23-jewel caliber K881G chronometer with autowind movement is adjusted to 5 positions & temperature. These movements received a COSC rating for "especially good results" after 360 hours (15 days) of rigorous testing.

Fast-beat - 19,800 vibrations/h, ​

calendar with instantaneous date change at midnight, ​

direct drive seconds with ​

"hack" seconds stopping device for synchronizing watch to the second. ​

Kif shock protection. ​

According to LeCoultre archives only 1700 of these were made from early 60's to late 60's. LeCoultre made very few chronometre grade movements, while Rolex and Omega made over 100,000 during this period.

 

I'm not sure I could afford it, but Dibs!

 

That's one of the JLC's on my list. Nice one!

 

One of my favorite brands! Looks great. Thinking I should also post some non-Omega content....

 

Cool JLC ..........

 

yes,yes.......please do ! kind regards. achim

 

+1 with the slight addendum that most JLC movements of this era could easily be adjusted/modified to chronometer grade. Let's not forget that JLC were supplying many ebauches to Vacheron and Audemars, to name a few, and most times those movements achieved the Genevan seal after some tweaking (sometimes the addition of better balance) and occasionally those were submitted to be certified chronometers. It's just that usually JLC did not do a lot to finish the majority of their in house movements--no Geneva waves, rhodium plating, etc--and usually did not do adjustments when they were putting the movements in their own watches. The Geomatics are special because there JLC really was trying to make a horological statement under their own banner.

Very special watch is excellent condition--big congrats!
Best,
T.

 

Of course I agree with you on all points and my apologies for my imprecise language. It is reasonable to assume that most high grade movement producers performed some sort of adjustment (2 positions minimum?) prior to being cased. I only meant that before the Geophysic/Geomatic-era, one doesn't see much if any "Adjusted" nomenclature on JLC-cased movements, whereas, as your link perfectly shows, the VC's bridges are covered with them, as well as a fancier level of finishing.

Also totally agree about COSC standards: to me, it seems a game played primarily between Omega and Rolex as to which company could produce the most Certified Chronometers. The other manufacturers went to the trouble of submitting watches for certification tests only rarely. For example, there are a relatively few VC chronometers (Chronometre Royal) and vintage Patek Phillipe wristwatches with any overt "Chronometer"-related stuff printed on the dial are extraordinarily rare (see here: The "J.B. Champion Observatory Chronometer" ). Yet some people still pay good money for their vintage non-Chronometers, too...
All the best,
Tom