Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Jaeger LeCoultre Powermatic, Steel 33mm Case, Calibre 481, circa 1952
- Maker / attribution
- Jaeger-LeCoultre (maker)
- Date
- c. 1952
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- steel
- Dimensions
- Case 33 mm
- Stock no.
- vws0932
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (vws0932)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Jaeger LeCoultre Powermatic - Steel 33mm Case - Calibre 481 - C.1952 ***SOLD*** (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number vws0932), this is a wristwatch by Jaeger-LeCoultre, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1952. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: steel. Recorded dimensions: Case 33 mm. The record is illustrated with 4 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist
Founded in 1833, Jaeger LeCoultre are one of the outstanding Swiss watchmakers with their outstanding movements and their jaw dropping elegant designs! This Jaeger LeCoultre Powermatic C.1952, in a stainless steel case with a cream dial embodies both of these traits and looks utterly fantastic! The rounded Stainless steel 33mm case with tear drop lugs is in excellent condition! Featuring a white power meter at 12 o’clock. The high grade “Fab Suisse” Jaeger fully signed automatic ‘Bumper” movement runs effortlessly and of course shows signs of bumping which is to be expected, and does not take away the simplistic yet elegant appeal of this watch. The Jaeger signed ivory/white dial is it pristine condition and looks seriously impressive when married up with the applied pointed dagger style hour indices, with quarterly applied Breguet style numerals and the gilt dagger hands, adding to a subtle yet perfect blend, sitting perfectly within the case. For a vintage piece that is very rare & highly collectable this has been seriously well maintained and to be honest seems to have little to no signs of wear! Which is fantastic for you! A truly great example of a vintage watch that’s over 67 years old! Don’t pass this chance up, it will be a long time before you find another model in such great condition as this! Model ref: Powermatic Year: 1952 Box and papers: No Movement type, calibre and jewels: Automatic, Calibre 481, 17J Case: Stainless Steel Dial: Cream Crystal: Plexiglas Bracelet: Leather Strap Width (w/o crown): 33mm Height, lug to lug: 41mm Lug width: 16mm Wrist size: Adjustable
Historical context
Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.
The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking
Atlas type guide
Wristwatches
Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.
After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.
What to look for
- The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
- The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
- Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
- Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.
Dating clues
- Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
- Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
- Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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