Usually when things are complicated, it means more stress, more work, and more effort, but in the end, it's worth it. The same holds true for vintage wristwatches, where gifted artisans and engineers from years gone by labored months and years to create complicated timepieces that transcend art and talent. When it comes to vintage wristwatches, the highest realms of respect and value are reserved for these watches that do much more than merely tell time.

In 1935, Jaeger-LeCoultre released to the world its ref. 2701 double date calendar watch. We love this way of displaying the day and date. It is a display of wonderful precision and style that can be worn everyday.

While much ink is often spilled over the triple date watches, the rarer double date watches tend to fly more under the radar. The company only produced 6,600 examples of the base caliber 412 rectangular movement, only a fraction of which were worked into this double date version (caliber 412 59).

Today's offering showcases one of these uncommon beauties. Its parts are fully original down to the case, dial, all hands, and even the winding crown.

Its case is honest and original excellent condition. It shows no signs of significant polishing. Its beautifully balanced two-tone silver dial with its cutout for displaying the day and outer track for the date is original and untouched.

And its unusual, rectangular complicated Jaeger-LeCoultre movement is keeping time.

One of our watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it, and we have installed a new mineral glass crystal to give a clear view to the very edge. After more than 80 years, it continues to keep accurate time, running within a few seconds per day and all calendar functions work just as they should.

For the finishing touch we have equipped it with a brand new Teju strap making it ready for immediate enjoyment.

Included with the purchase is a full one-year international warranty, a Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate attesting to the watch's performance.

• Manufacturer: Jaeger-LeCoultre
• Country of origin: Switzerland
• Year built: 1938 - the reference was introduced in 1935
• Serial no.: 97,134
• Model: Double Date Calendar
• Case material: Stainless Steel
• Case markings (outside): Case number 37,862
• Case markings (inside): Staybrite, Fab. Suisse
• Case condition: Excellent honest original condition. It has never been polished significantly if polished ever and not recently.
• Dimensions: 30.5mm wide (excluding crown), 39mm long lug tip-to-tip
• Dial: Two-tone silver, black painted Arabic indexes stamped, outer minute track, further red outer date track, aperture for the day of the week in French, subdial for the continuous seconds, original and untouched
• Hands: All original and untouched, blue steel "diamonds" with with red arrow-tipped silver date hand
• Movement type: High-grade, manually wound, rectangular, cal. 412-59, rhodium plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, flat balance spring
• Movement markings: Jaeger-LeCoultre, Swiss, 97,134, 59
• Band: Genuine Teju lizard, high quality, fully stitched, padded for comfort, brand new and unused. We also stock a variety of others straps in various prints, skins, and colors. Please ask us if you're interested.
• Width between lugs: 16mm
• Crystal: Mineral glass, mint condition
• Serviced: One of our watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it. All calendar functions work just as they should.
• Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system.
• Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email [email protected] for details.
• Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity
• Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee