GEOMATIC CHRONOMETER Ref.E399 Cal.881G

Name: GEOMATIC CHRONOMETER Ref.E399 Cal.881G
Brand: JAEGER-LECOULTRE
Price: 750000 JPY
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)

Japan

￥750,000

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Basic Information

Brand

JAEGER-LECOULTRE

Model

VINTAGE MODEL

Reference Number

E399

Case Material

Stainless Steel

Year Of Manufacture

1967

Dial Condition

Aged Patina Due to Vintage Condition

Case Condition (Including Case Back)

Pre-owned (Some minor scratches on case)

Accuracy

Mechanical (±10 seconds/day)

Gender

Male

Location

Japan

Movement

Winding Up

Automatic

Caliber

881G

Power reserve

Case

Case Material

Stainless Steel

Size (excluding crown)

Belt

Belt Material

Stainless Steel

Explanation

See translation

The very moment you lay eyes upon it, you lose yourself in an overwhelming surge of emotion.
Why is it so impossibly beautiful?
That soft yet quietly overflowing champagne-gold radiance… it evokes even the frustration of being unable to fully express such beauty through words alone.

The center of the dial rises gently, and as it reflects through the acrylic crystal, the quilt-pattern guilloché engraving seems to emerge and float across the entire surface, blending seamlessly into the solid 18k gold itself. It is this very harmony that proves the extraordinary nature of this masterpiece.

That extraordinary existence…

『GEOMATIC』……… Chronometer

As one of the true founders of manufacture watchmaking, Jaeger‑LeCoultre has led the Swiss watch industry to the present day. In 1844, founder Antoine LeCoultre invented the “Millionomètre,” capable of measuring down to one-thousandth of a millimeter. Through this invention, an uncompromising pursuit of quality became possible—even down to the tiniest component—and it unquestionably became a historic breakthrough that transformed the future of precision watchmaking.

As a result, LeCoultre also evolved into a manufacturer of movements, supplying calibers to houses such as Patek Philippe from around the 1850s. Regarding Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin, it is an undeniable fact that after acquiring 80% ownership in 1936, LeCoultre calibers were installed in Vacheron Constantin watches until the brand regained independence in 1967.

For this reason, LeCoultre was long regarded primarily as an ébauche manufacturer. Yet through its relationship with Vacheron Constantin, the assembly and adjustment of LeCoultre movements were performed within Vacheron’s workshops, further elevating its mastery of precision regulation. This refinement of technical excellence ultimately established the unshakable dignity of Jaeger-LeCoultre as a true manufacture in the Vallée de Joux.

And then came the legendary “Caliber 170,” a movement so exceptional that when 100 examples were submitted to the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute, every single one passed certification with ease.

Then, in 1958, for the scientists of the International Geophysical Year, the legendary chronometer “Geophysic” was born through the hand-wound Caliber 478.

And in 1967, the legendary Caliber 881—originally developed in 1961—was refined further with five-position adjustment and a fine-regulation system added to the regulator itself. The movement was thereafter named “Caliber 881G,” and thus was born the “Geomatic,” the very origin of what would later become the Master series.

This particular example features a rare guilloché dial specification.
From the delicate “CHRONOMETRE” lettering to every finely executed typography detail, everything radiates the highest level of status and refinement.

The immense weight and presence of the 18k solid champagne-gold case—measuring a majestic 35mm (37mm including the crown)—is undeniable. Inside the case, the moisture-resistance spring is missing (though this poses absolutely no issue for practical use), yet the engraved serials tell their own story: the “92xxxx” case serial, together with the “16xxxx” serial of the legendary 881G caliber, are signatures unique to the Geomatic itself.

And then there is the tremendous roar emanating from within…

The rotor, proudly skeletonized with the Jaeger-LeCoultre “JL” emblem inspired by an anchor motif, possesses a commanding dignity. The legendary 88-series mechanism—whose distinctive switching-rocker reversing wheel swings gracefully from side to side—creates an exhilarating rotor sound that instantly reminds you why Jaeger-LeCoultre movements became revered throughout the world.

Naturally, this was also the product of LeCoultre’s relentless pursuit of ultra-thin engineering. Every detail was designed with a devotion to durability exceeding a century, minimizing wear on each component.

Without question, this movement continues to b