Name: Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic E168 (1958)
Brand: Mr Jones Watches
SKU: vw191
Price: 20000.0 GBP
Availability: InStock

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This is an extremely rare Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic manual wind chronometer from 1958. The Geophysic was produced for one year only in celebration of both the 125th anniversary of Jaeger-LeCoultre and also of the world's first 'International Geophysical Year'. The Geophysic was designed to withstand to extreme conditions being both waterproof and magnetically shielded.

The Geophysic was only in production for one year before it was replaced by a self-winding watch called the Geomatic. As such, the original Geophysic remains one of the rarest chronometer grade watches of the 20th century with probably less than 1,000 pieces ever made and they rarely come up for sale.

The watch uses the same basic movement, cal 488, as found in the British RAF Mark 11 navigational watch, albeit with an upgrade to shock protection on the balance staff and the addition of a swans-neck regulator. It's interesting to reflect on the pride that the company clearly felt about this movement, which they'd developed 10 years prior and perhaps speculate that they wanted to share it with a wider audience (the mark 11 was solely produced on contract for the RAF and never available to the general public).

This was really the pinnacle of manually wound ‘tool’ watches, and while many companies produced large numbers of manually wound chronometers (for example Omega), Jaeger only ever produced this one model with chronometer certification and this model only for one year.

The movement has been fully serviced and the timekeeping is excellent, the watch has a hacking function - that is the seconds are stopped while the time is being set, so it can be set to the exact second. The case has been cleaned, but as with all out vintage watches we have left it unpolished, so do be aware that the case bears the usual marks of wear. The crystal has been cleaned and polished.

I've fitted a leather strap that I personally made for this watch, which can have holes punched to suit the buyer's wrist size. If an alternate strap is preferred then I should be happy to discuss options for both leather and stitch options (although I think the London tan goes beautifully with this case). The watch comes with our standard 12 month guarantee.

One of the things that makes the the Geophysic so special is the combination of exacting, chronometer-grade performance and an understated, minimal design. To my mind they are the very essence of horological understatement and quality. Produced in tiny numbers and with a rabid following they represent an excellent investment.

Case diameter: 35mm
Case material: stainless steel
Strap width: 18mm
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-LeCoultre Geophysic E168 (1958)