Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic E168 (1958)

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+