Untitled design - 2023-07-02T170726.676.png

Untitled design - 2023-07-02T173829.687.png

Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic 1958 Q8002520

US$0.00

SOLD

Description

This is the Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic 1958 reference Q8002520. 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. The aforementioned 1958 may be a lesser-known part of the brand’s history but the story behind it is no less interesting.

In 1958, the world celebrated the first International Geophysical Year with the first ever nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, travelling beneath the polar icebed to the North Pole and became the first ever vessel to complete a submerged transit. This also coincided with the 125th anniversary of JLC as a brand and with that, the watch that accompanied the members of the USS Nautilus was the original JLC Geophysic.

Produced only over a span of one year, the original Geophysic was powered by the manual-winding certified chronometer calibre 478BWSbr and importantly, a parachoc shock-absorber system as well a soft iron cage for antimagnetism. This meant that the Geophysic was well-fitted to withstand the extreme underwater journey while preserving the watch’s accuracy and durability. Once the stuff of lore, the original Geophysic remained largely elusive and unknown alongside other historical models like the Polaris and the Deep Sea Alarm until its re-issue in 2014.

Released as a faithful re-edition in three case variants of steel, rose gold and platinum, the 2014 edition of the Geophysic is as identical to the original as a modern re-issue can be. As with most modern recreations, several features have been altered to suit modern preferences. The case was increased to a larger 38.5mm with the JLC cal. 898/1 automatic movement that is regulated to a strict -1/+4 seconds per day. Once the rarest dial variant among the vintage Geophysics, the crosshair dial was introduced into the steel and rose gold variant and remains highly distinctive. While the original version had the radium plots on the crystal, this was relatively impractical and on the re-issue, the luminous plots were placed on the edge of chapter ring, keeping the dial lume-free and as close to the original as possible. Finally, the lugs and middle case were reworked to keep the retained the proportions with the bigger case size.

From afar, it is hard to tell the difference between the modern and vintage Geophysic, which is a testament to JLC’s ability to re-create icons of its past as evidenced by the tasteful execution of the Geophysic. Though the brand’s catalogue remains vast, it is telling that the brand’s re-issues are the ones that tend to receive the most critical acclaim. In 2023, JLC introduced its very own vintage collectible program to offer both original and factory-restored important vintage pieces such as the Geophysic certified directly by the brand and this will undoubtedly enhance the attention on both its vintage models and its modern re-issued counterparts.

Condition

This Jaeger Le-Coultre Geophysic is in excellent pre-owned condition with some very light signs of wear on the case consistent with its age. The case has no dings or dents and the caseback remains in like new condition. There are some hairlines on the back side of the lugs likely due to strap changes and it comes in a full set with the original boxes, warranty dated 2020, manual and hangtags. The watch is in full working order.