Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic Ref. E168
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1958
Maker / issuer
Jaeger-LeCoultreThis 18k yellow gold manual wind wristwatch, known as the 'Geophysic' reference E168, was introduced by Jaeger-LeCoultre circa 1958. Designed to honor the International Geophysical Year and the company's 125th anniversary, the watch was constructed as a tool for scientists to resist magnetic fields up to 600 Gauss.
It houses the caliber P478/BWSbr movement, which is protected by an anti-magnetic shield. The watch features a cream-colored dial with center seconds and is enclosed in an 18k yellow gold case with a screwed case-back. This specific piece is part of a limited production of only 30 gold versions. The watch is signed on the dial, case, and movement and includes a gold-plated JLC buckle.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Anti-magnetic chronometer wristwatch
- Material
- 18k yellow gold
- Movement
- Caliber P478/BWSbr
- Reference
- E168
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Case Serial Number
- 747456
- Magnetic Resistance
- 600 Gauss
- Maker / attribution
- Jaeger-LeCoultre
- Production Quantity
- 30 gold versions
- Year of Introduction
- 1958
- Movement Serial Number
- 1276006
Design
- Visible features
- • The dial features applied numerals at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions. • The movement bridge is engraved with 'P478/BWSbr' and '17 JEWELS'. • The case features lugs for a leather strap. • The winding crown is plain and integrated into the case profile.
- Provenance and Rarity
- The watch was obtained from an Asian collector and the current seller reports having stored the object in a safe for the previous 30 years. Its rarity is defined by its small total production compared to the stainless steel variants of the same reference.
- Case and Dial Construction
- The watch is housed in an 18k yellow gold case featuring a screwed case-back design, which serves to protect the internal movement from external environmental factors. The aesthetic is marked by a cream white dial displaying center seconds and applied hour markers at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions. The auction description indicates that the case condition is excellent with clearly defined hallmarks. Conversely, the dial is reported to have some oxidation, though it remains in good condition. The watch is fitted with a gold-plated JLC buckle, though the strap itself is not identified as original.
- Movement and Technical Specification
- The timepiece is powered by the manual wind Caliber P478/BWSbr, which is explicitly noted for its anti-magnetic capabilities. Engineered for the International Geophysical Year, this movement is designed to function accurately within magnetic fields reaching up to 600 Gauss, provided by an additional anti-magnetic shield. According to the auction description, the movement is a 17-jewel caliber, adjusted to five positions and temperatures. The source advises that an overhaul of the movement is recommended for the new owner, as the current status is categorized as 'good'. The movement carries its own serial number, distinct from the case serial number.
Identification
- Reference
- E168
- Serial number
- 747456
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The exact history of the watch prior to the seller's 30-year period of ownership is not documented.
- Research required: The extent of internal mechanical wear beyond the suggested overhaul requirement is unverified.