Name: Jaeger Le-Coultre Futurematic (1955)
Brand: VAT FREE
SKU: VW156
Price: 2750.0 GBP
Availability: OutOfStock

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This is a British market Jaeger Le-Coultre Futurematic from early 1950s, the case is 9 carat rose gold and hallmarked for 1955. British market cases were made for Jaeger Le-Coultre De Trevars who were the British importers and case-makers for JLC during the 1950s and 1960s, this is the reason the case is marked DTE.

This watch is distinct for a number of reasons - most obviously because it has no winding crown. This was because the winding of the watch was entirely from the automatic ‘bumper’ weight in the movement. The hands are set using a small wheel on the back of the case - sliding it towards the centre puts the watch into hand-set mode and also stops the watch, allowing it to be set to the second.

The watch has a power-reserve indicator on the left of the dial. This shows the state of the mainspring and roughly how many hours the watch will run for. The dial on the right shows the seconds. The case at 36mm is quite a generous size for a watch from this period. The case has lovely subtle details that locate it in the 50s - there’s something of the flying saucer about it!

The movement has a number of unique features and technical innovations: the automatic weight has a mechanism that stops it moving when the watch has reached a full state of wind. The mechanism releases the weight when the mainspring has run out a bit of power. The mainspring itself has a small amount of setup power - this means that it is basically pre-tensioned, so only a very small amount of movement is needed to start the watch running at a good rate.

The Futurematic was one of JLC’s flagship models in the post war period. The watch is relatively rare in European market form (signed “Jaeger Le-Coultre” as it is here). Europe in the 1950s was quite an austere place and I guess people didn’t have the money to splash on crazy futuristic watches! Rare within the JLC signed models are those with British made cases (aimed at the large British Commonwealth market) and a rose gold example is uncommon. The dial of this watch has developed a bit of patina and overall the watch has a lovely presence on the wrist.

The movement has been fully serviced and the timekeeping is excellent. The case has been ultrasonically cleaned, but as with all out vintage watches we have left it unpolished. The crystal has been replaced and the watch has been fitted with a new old stock peccary strap. The watch comes with our standard 12 month guarantee.

Specifications:
Case diameter: 36mm
Case material: 9 carat rose gold, hallmarked in London for 1955
Strap width: 17mm
Time keeping: grade A

Order processing

We aim to dispatch all orders within 2-3 working days.

When your order is dispatched, your tracking details will be updated.

If you have opted for a custom engraving please allow an additional 1-2 working days.

If you are purchasing during a sale or a limited edition release, you can expect an email update with an estimated dispatch date if there any changes to the timeframe.

If you are in a hurry for your order, please email us. We'll try our best to prioritise your order.

Shipping guide for watches

UK: FREE DPD shipping, 1-2 working days
United States & Canada: FREE DHL shipping, 1-3 working days
The EU: FREE DHL shipping, 2-4 working days. To order to The EU, please visit our Euro website here (duties and taxes are included in the price of your watch).

Click here to see the full shipping guide for watches

Shipping guide for t-shirts

Our t-shirts are printed by us and shipped from our workshop in London. This means if you place an order for both a watch and t-shirt(s), they will be shipped together via an express service. Delivery times for these can be found here.

If you order a t-shirt without a watch, it will be shipped via a Royal Mail tracked service which usually takes a little longer. You can see an estimated timescale when you input your address at the checkout.

Shipping guide for watch straps

If purchased separately from your watch, watch straps will be shipped with Royal Mail 1st Class / International tracked shipping.

This takes 2-14 working days depending on location. You can see a more accurate timescale when you input your address at the checkout.

These delivery times are a guide based on the carriers terms of service, products may, in some unusual cases take longer to arrive. If this happens, please get in touch.

Return your watch for an exchange

We are happy to exchange unworn watches.

Fastening the watch will cause damage to the leather. If this is the case, we charge for the watch strap (or we can put the worn strap on the exchanged watch for free).

Please email us directly if you think your watch is faulty.

Return your watch for a refund

To return for a full refund, you have 30 days if purchased online. After this time we can offer an exchange if your watch hasn’t been worn.

If you purchased your watch in-store, we can offer an exchange or store credit only. This is because you’ve seen the watch in person and had the opportunity to try it on. Please let us know if you’re purchasing as a gift.

T-shirt returns and Exchanges

We recommend checking the measurements of our t-shirts on our size guide before placing your order, you can also check them here

However, if your t-shirt is faulty, we can offer an exchange or a refund. In this circumstance, please email us within 30 days of placing your order, with a photograph of the problem, as well as your order number.

To return other products (such as straps) please email us: info@mrjoneswatches.com to arrange this.

UK returns

1) Generate your free returns label here.

2) Print it off and stick it to your original packaging.

3) Take it to your local post office. Find your closest here.

(If you no longer have your original packaging, please ensure your watch is securely wrapped in bubble wrap / something similar to protect it in transit).

NB please include a short note describing the issue with the watch and your contact details.

EU and International returns

Please send the watch to this address:

Mr Jones Watches (repairs)
61 Dartmouth Road
London SE23 3HN
United Kingdom

Ensure the watch is securely wrapped in bubble wrap to protect it in transit.

Please include a note stating:

- the reason for the return
- a detailed description of the problem with your watch (if sending for repair)
- your email address and your order number
- remember to include your return delivery address, (so we know where to send the repaired watch)

We recommend you use a tracked service.

As the UK is no longer in the EU, you will have to fill in a Customs Declaration form (usually a CN22).

Please write in the description field "wristwatch, return for factory repair / refund , no commercial value."

This is essential otherwise an import duty will be levied which you will be liable for (there is no way for us to reclaim this charge).

Please note: we do not cover shipping costs for unwanted items, returned from outside of the UK. If you are returning a watch that is faulty we may be able to reimburse shipping costs if your watch is within warranty, please contact us ahead of sending in this instance.

Jaeger Le-Coultre Futurematic (1955)