A glass and hand-painted faux tortoiseshell skeltonised mantle clock. This exceptional piece of clock making is another stunning example from arguably the world's finest watch and clock maker; Jaeger LeCoultre. This fine desk, or mantle clock, features the fames Jaeger LeCoultre in-line, baguette, sixteen jewel movement that almost appears to float inside the clock case. Jaeger LeCoultre launched its tiny calibre 101 movement (the world’s smallest) in 1929 and then the calibre 210 in-line movement (introduced into most of its table clocks), which re-arranged the component of a round calibre into a straight line for aesthetic appeal.
The case itself is another example of the mastery of LeCoultre's talents. It has an enamel, hand painted dark brown mottled paint work on the top, bottom and both sides that is inspired by the use of real tortoiseshell which was prevalent in use in many home goods, and jewellery, from the times of ancient Greece. The dial is a very classical Roman layout also carved into a rectangle that frames the stunning visible movement.
Clocks like this have been in the LeCoultre line for nearly one hundred years, and a re a joy to watch as the minutes tick by. The original glass is signed 'Jaeger LeCoultre', along with the number '8' just above the six o'clock marker. This is to indicate, that once fully wound, the clock will run for eight days.
This immaculate example comes, not only with its original box, but also a service document from Jaeger LeCoultre in the UK, dated 1981, and a compliments slip. The box is number on the base '481', which is the model number of this clock. The clock was made in Switzerland circa the late 1970's and is in pristine, original condition.