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Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Shark/Vogue E2643

US$10,900.00

Description

This is the Jaeger-Lecoultre Deep Sea reference E2643. A manufacturer synonymous with its flagship model, the Reverso, JLC is a storied brand with a long and rich history in watchmaking. Colloquially known as “the watchmaker’s watchmaker” for its watchmaking prowess, the brand has almost two centuries of watchmaking history and the reference E2643, while short-lived, remains a distinct dive watch produced by the brand during the 1960s.

One of the selected models from the storied history of JLC for its recently announced “Collectibles” program, the Deep Sea E2643 was the brand’s response to the increasingly popular sport chronographs watches produced during the 60s and 70s. Alongside far more recognizable references such as the Rolex Daytona, Heuer Autavia and Zenith El Primero, the E2643 looks and feels like most chronographs produced during that era. Offered as a LeCoultre Shark for the American market and a Jaeger-LeCoultre Vogue for Europe, the reference captured the essence of the times as a follow-up to the original JLC dive watch, the Deep Sea Alarm.

Sporting a three-register dial with a reverse panda configuration in a sizeable 40mm case, the E2643 is powered by the important manual-wind Valjoux 72 column wheel movement. Introduced as a follow up to the original Valjoux 22 in 1938, this important chronograph movement has powered many other iconic chronographs of that era including the aforementioned Rolex Daytona and Heuer Autavia as well as many others. A true workhorse that is robustly constructed, the Valjoux 72 has proven over time that it remains one of the most reliable chronograph movements ever produced.

Given the sheer numbers and variants of vintage sport chronographs during that era, the JLC Deep Sea ultimately did not achieve the commercial success that the brand desired and was retired after only a few years of production. With all that said, the smaller production numbers in comparison to other brands also imply that this particular reference is harder to come by. A vintage blend of aesthetic and functionality, the E2643 is representative of a lesser known but no less defining period of the brand’s history.

Condition

This Jaeger-LeCoultre Shark is in excellent vintage condition. Factory bevels are still present on the case which retains thick and sharp lugs . The caseback has some surface hairlines from prior wear without any dings and the serial is still clearly visible. The dial has no signs of age and remains in excellent original condition with full tritium plots. The bezel has signs of age without any cracks. The watch comes accompanied with a JLC archive extract and is in full working order.