JAEGER-LECOULTRE
JAEGER LECOULTRE KRYOS
1 390.00 CHF
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Buy a certified pre-owned Jaeger-LeCoultre watch at The Swiss Collector
Founded in 1833 in the Vallée de Joux, Jaeger-LeCoultre is nicknamed "the watchmaker's watchmaker", the manufacture that has supplied movements and components to the greatest houses in Swiss haute horlogerie. With over 1,200 calibres developed and nearly 400 patents filed since its creation, JLC embodies technical excellence in its purest form. A member of the Richemont group, the manufacture designs and produces every component in-house, from the smallest screw to the most complex calibre. At The Swiss Collector, we offer a carefully selected range of pre-owned Jaeger-LeCoultre watches, so you can access one of the world's most respected watchmaking traditions.
History of Jaeger-LeCoultre : 190 Years of Innovation in the Vallée de Joux
Origins and the Millionometre (1833–1900)
In 1833, Antoine LeCoultre founded a watchmaking workshop in Le Sentier, in the Vallée de Joux, a region that would become the heart of Swiss haute horlogerie. From the outset, his vision was total integration : conceiving and manufacturing everything in-house, without relying on external suppliers. In 1844, LeCoultre invented the millionometre, the world's first instrument capable of measuring with micron precision, one thousandth of a millimetre. This revolutionary tool enabled tolerances previously considered impossible, laying the foundations of the most technically rigorous manufacture in Swiss watchmaking.
The Birth of Jaeger-LeCoultre (1903–1937)
At the turn of the 20th century, Parisian Edmond Jaeger (a supplier of ultra-thin movements to Cartier) sought a technical partner capable of producing his exceptional calibres. He met Jacques-David LeCoultre, grandson of the founder. In 1903, the two houses began collaborating. The official merger under the name Jaeger-LeCoultre was formalised in 1937.
In the meantime, in 1931, the Reverso was born, the watch that would define the house's identity for the following 90 years.
The Reverso : A Legendary Birth (1931)
In 1931, British Army officers stationed in India complained to Jaeger-LeCoultre that their watch crystals would break during polo matches. The manufacture's response was bold : design a reversible case, whose dial could be flipped against the wrist to protect it from impacts. Designed by Parisian designer Alfred Chamet with the support of César de Trey, the Reverso was launched at the Basel fair in 1931. Its Art Deco design (clean angles, horizontal fluting, pure rectangular proportions) was instantly iconic. Over 90 years later, it remains the manufacture's most recognisable watch.
Landmark Innovations (1950–Today)
JLC continues to mark watchmaking history with major innovations : the Memovox (1956, first automatic alarm watch), the Geophysic (1958, designed for the International Geophysical Year), the Master Compressor (patented key-lock compression crown), and finally the Gyrotourbillon (2004), considered the most mechanically complex complication ever realised, a spherical tourbillon with two axes of rotation.
Today a member of the Richemont group, Jaeger-LeCoultre employs over 1,400 people at its Le Sentier manufacture and remains one of the few houses to master its entire production chain.
Collections & Iconic Models
Key References & Secondary Market Values
252.8.47 / Q2518540 Reverso Classique Monoface Steel
CHF 3,200 – CHF 5,500
3848422 / Q3848422 Reverso Classic Duoface Steel Travel Time
CHF 9,500 – CHF 13,000
Q9008170 Polaris Date 42mm Steel
CHF 6,500 – CHF 9,500
Q9028180 Polaris Chronograph 42mm Steel
CHF 9,000 – CHF 12,500
Q1548420 Master Calendar 39mm Rose Gold
| CHF 12,000 – CHF 18,000 |
Values vary based on condition, presence of box and papers, and year of production. Contact our TSC experts for a precise estimate.
Why Choose a Pre-owned Jaeger-LeCoultre ?
The watchmaker's watchmaker
JLC is the manufacture that has supplied movements to Cartier, Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe and many other prestigious houses. Owning a JLC means accessing the very source of Swiss watchmaking expertise.
Unbeatable complication-to-price ratio
For a budget similar to a steel Rolex Submariner, a pre-owned Jaeger-LeCoultre often offers remarkable complications (moon phase, dual time zone, annual calendar) unavailable from sports brands at that price point.
Stable value
JLC is not a speculative brand. Its secondary market prices are stable and reasonable, making it an excellent choice for a collector wishing to access haute horlogerie without paying an excessive premium.
The Reverso as a unique piece
The reversible case of the Reverso allows unique personalisation (engraving, enamel miniature, dedication) making each piece a potentially unique object in the world.
JLC vs Patek Philippe vs Audemars Piguet : Which to Choose ?
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Is the choice of true connoisseurs : those who want authentic horological complications, timeless design and irreproachable craftsmanship without paying the notoriety premium of the most speculative brands. Ideal for a dress watch or a first high-complication piece.
Patek Philippe
Is the choice for maximum investment and absolute prestige. Prices are significantly higher, but long-term appreciation is unmatched.
Audemars Piguet
Appeals to enthusiasts of sporty, avant-garde design. More visible and more statement-making in its style.
Our The Swiss Collector verdict
If you are seeking an exceptional watch combining technical depth, history and discreet elegance without speculation, Jaeger-LeCoultre offers one of the best quality-to-prestige ratios in all of haute horlogerie.
Jaeger-LeCoultre & Iconic Personalities
JLC cultivates a discreet communication style and selects its ambassadors for their natural elegance :
- Benedict Cumberbatch : official brand ambassador since 2013, great advocate of the Reverso
- Anya Taylor-Joy : global ambassador, frequently seen wearing the Reverso One and Rendez-Vous
- Carmen Chaplin : Charlie Chaplin's granddaughter, embodies the artistic and timeless spirit of JLC
- Diane Kruger : French-German actress, ambassador for the Rendez-Vous women's line
- British Royal Family : several members have worn the Reverso over the decades
- Andy Warhol : owned a Reverso which he wore regularly throughout the 1970s and 80s
Buying Guide : Pre-owned JLC at The Swiss Collector
- Budget : pre-owned JLC watches start from around CHF 1,300 for vintage models, CHF 3,200 for a steel Reverso Classique, and CHF 6,500 for a current Polaris Date or Master Control.
- Condition : every piece is graded (like new, very good condition, good condition and state of use) with high-definition photographs.
- Authentication : case, movement, dial and serial numbers verified by our experts.
- Box & papers : clearly identified in our selection, an important asset for resale.
- TSC Guarantee : all our watches come with The Swiss Collector warranty.
- Servicing : our in-house workshop handles complete servicing and maintenance of your JLC watches. Contact us for a personalised quote.
- Secure delivery : fully insured and tracked shipping across world.
Servicing & Maintenance of a Pre-owned Jaeger-LeCoultre
Recommended service interval
Jaeger-LeCoultre recommends a full service every 5 to 8 years depending on the model. The manufacture guarantees parts availability and servicing of vintage watches for several decades : a rare commitment in the industry.
Signs of good preservation
Smooth crown, no excessive play in the Reverso sliding case, dial free from humidity marks, original strap or bracelet.
At TSC
Our partner watchmaking workshop handles complete servicing of your JLC watches : disassembly, cleaning, replacement of worn parts and aesthetic restoration, including the Reverso sliding mechanism. Contact us for a personalised quote.