A stainless steel and chrome plated Jaeger LeCoultre manual wind watch. This stunning looking, quite rare and novel watch is part of an early production of the wristwatches launched for both the Royal Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force. The English Mark 7A, came in two variations; these more conventional style cases, and the more complicated Weems versions, which we will not go into here. Both were introduced to Air Force personnel at the outbreak of the Second World War. The 7A specification watches were made by a range of watch manufactures including; Movado, Ebel, Omega, Longines and of course this Jaeger LeCoultre, or "Lecoultre" version. The specifications for which were quite simple; a white dial with Arabic numerals, with a hand set made of blued steel, all of which was to be powered by a keyless, lever movement with a thirty six hour power reserve. The cases themselves were to be made from stainless steel, chromium-plated solid nickel or chromium-plated hard brass, all of which were to have solid stainless steel case backs.
This watch is presented in superb, and very original condition. The eggshell coloured dial has turned a magnificent tropical colour, almost coming across as a mustard colour. As with a few aspects to this watch, there are a few novel elements. For example, the dial found on this watch is much more akin to that of its Weems counterpart. A fine Arabic printed set of numbers, with the more bold red printed twelve with the fine outer printed minute track and center "bulls eye" circle. The balance and feel are not like the conventional cased dials. There are also triangular, arrow head, printed hour markers within the minute track. The conventional dials more often have block markers on the hours. This dial is far more attractive, especially with the red twelve o'clock arrow head marker. The dial is signed "SWISS" just below the six o'clock arrow marker.
Another intriguing element to this watch is the fact that there are, in fact, no military markings stamped into the back of the case. This means the watch was never ‘issued’. Which in itself, given its time of manufacture seems odd. The snapback case back simply has a charming message to a "John G Amecuza from Mother". This is also a similar type of engraving that one finds which were given to young sons going off to war. There is a case back number present as well.
The fact that is a LeCoultre signed dial, and not Jaeger LeCoultre is not uncommon as many of these watches that are stamped with military markings. also have the branding for the U.S market. There is also a correct "VXN" import stamp into the movement plate. This is for the Longines, Wittnauer company in the U.S who also held the license to import all Vacheron Constantin and Jaeger LeCoultre watches into America from the 1940's through to the 1970's. Some of these “LeCoultre” signed watches then ended up on the wrists of European and Canadian pilots.
The movement inside this watch is the a manual wind 450 caliber. This is also the correct movement found in the early 7A watches. Movement number 143098 which gives a year of production of 1941 for the watch. It is also in spectacular condition. This production date puts this watch right at the beginning of the outbreak of World War Two. It is therefore also peculiar that this military made watch would end up in the hands of a civilian at these early stages of the War.
This is a fine, and very rare early example of a 7A watch, albeit without the military markings. However, with the movement serial number dating it circa 1941. The case is superb throughout, and unpolished. It has a strangely discoloured bezel. But, this is easily explained as these early bezels were chromium-plated nickel, and it has eroded the chrome finish over the years, exposing the nickel. This really is a wonderful time capsule watch, and one which, if the military markings were present, would be more than double its value. This does not reduce the overall importance and aesthetic appeal of this wonderful piece of watch making history.
