Today's offering showcases this uncommon solid gold Futurematic with a distinctive case and beautiful black dial. Our photos couldn't begin to do it justice.
Here are some of its technical features:
- A power reserve indicator so the wearer can always know how much power is left in the watch. The little hand moves from the gold to the black and then red as the power winds down indicating the number of hours of power left in the mainspring.
- Extremely efficient movement designed to wind with the slightest movement of the wrist, eliminating the need for a winding crown.
- Ratchet arm and bumper hook mechanism that prevents someone from ever over winding the watch, one of the most common weak spots in vintage automatics.
- When the watch is not being worn the power will not run all the way down. Then, when the Futurematic is placed back on the wrist it will begin running again.
- The rotor is suspended both above and below the movement. This keeps the rotor from moving out of its place, something that greatly troubles other automatic movements.
- Because of the way the movement works, the Futurematic does not have a slipping clutch on the mainspring like all other automatics, eliminating another possible cause for error.
While the vast majority of these watches have gold-filled cases, this uncommon example is one of the solid gold versions.
It presents in very pleasing restored condition. Its case is better than near mint. And it dial is gorgeous, previously extremely well-restored.
One of our watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled its complicated movement. As is usually the case with these watches the hack lever has been previously removed by a watchmaker. The movement still retains the small dial clamp often lost on these watches.
Included with the purchase is a full one-year warranty on the movement and its advanced functions, a Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a copy of a Jaeger-LeCoultre repair manual detailing the movement parts and their operations.
Note: A published example of this model can be found in Jaeger-LeCoultre: A Guide for the Collector, Basha, 2008, pg. 155.
- Manufacturer: Jaeger-LeCoultre
- Country of origin: Switzerland, made for the U.S. market
- Serial no.: 1,004,109
- Year built: c. 1954
- Model: Futurematic, ref. 281
- Designed for: Men
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Fully Automatic, Power Reserve Indication, Subsidiary seconds
- Case material: Solid 14K gold
- Case markings (inside): Cased and Timed by LeCoultre, 14K Gold, 281
- Case condition: Better than near mint with light wear
- Dimensions: 35mm diameter, 42mm lugs tip-to-tip
- Dial: Signed LeCoultre, gloss black, power reserve meter in gold and red, signed LeCoultre, very clean, previously expertly restored
- Hands: Gold dauphines, correct style, replacement part specially made to replicate the original
- Movement type: LeCoultre Caliber 497, rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock-absorber, self-compensating flat balance-spring
- Movement markings: LeCoultre, Swiss, 497, Seventeen Jewels, Unadjusted
- Jewels: 17 rubies
- Band: Java lizard, fully stitched, padded, brand new
- Crystal: Acrylic, excellent condition
- Serviced: One of our watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
- Timed: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts.
- Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email [email protected] for details.
- Box: Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box PAPERS: Copy of Futurematic repair manual; Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity
- Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee
