Original price was: £4,250.00.£0.00Current price is: £0.00.
This mid-20th century wristwatch is an intriguing collaboration piece marked by dual signatures: Jaeger-LeCoultre and Vacheron & Constantin—two of Switzerland’s most storied manufactures. Housed in a 14ct gold case and set with diamonds, the watch typifies the post-war era’s embrace of elegance and modernity in horological design. Most striking is the mystery dial configuration, a visually deceptive layout in which the hour and minute indicators appear to float independently without visible attachment to the movement. This illusion, first developed in the 1930s and popularized in watches and clocks by various maisons, became a symbol of technical artistry and aesthetic innovation.
Mystery dial watches rely on cleverly hidden transparent discs affixed to the movement, often via peripheral gearing. In this watch, the effect is likely achieved through sapphire or acrylic disks coupled with delicate gearing beneath the dial, allowing the hands to appear suspended in space. Combined with the use of diamond markers and the clean simplicity of the dial, the visual impression is both theatrical and refined. The presence of both Jaeger-LeCoultre and Vacheron & Constantin names may reflect a bespoke commission, a shared distributor, or a cross-brand project—something not unheard of in the 1940s–50s when both brands supplied movements and components for joint ventures and private label arrangements.
Collectors value mystery dial watches not only for their technical novelty but also for their historical role in mid-century design and branding. This particular watch stands out for its dual lineage, evoking a rare moment when two haute horlogerie houses—each typically pursuing their own identity—appeared together on a single dial. Whether born of a retailer collaboration or a unique production run, the combination of precious materials, visual trickery, and horological pedigree gives this timepiece a distinct place in the canon of 20th-century watchmaking.
| Case Size | 36mm (excluding crown) |
|---|---|
| Complications | Mystery Dial |
| Movement | . |
| Reference | . |
| Delivery | Watch Only |
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5 North Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2PA
01273 473123
royce@comberoflewes.co.uk
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1954 Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos II Clock w/ Outer Box
