Meet the Jaeger-LeCoultre ref. E333, one of the brand's earliest water-resistant wristwatches. The letter 'E' in the reference stands for Étanche, French for watertight, and marks an important chapter in Jaeger-LeCoultre's early experiments with water-resistant watchmaking.
One of the things that makes this particular example so appealing is its wonderfully unusual case design. The angular stainless steel case, with its screw-down caseback and distinctive tonneau shape, looks remarkably modern for a watch from the 1930s. The beautiful cream-colored dial features a recessed central section, creating a wonderful sense of depth. Combined with the oversized Arabic numerals, blued hands and small seconds at six o'clock, it gives the watch an incredible amount of character.
A fascinating piece of early Jaeger-LeCoultre history, and truly a watch that deserves a place in a museum.
The watch has recently been serviced and keeps good time. When I acquired the watch, the bezel had a crack at the 6 o'clock position. This has since been professionally repaired, carefully preserving the original surface finishing.
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Brand: Jaeger LeCoultre
Model: “Etanche”
Reference: E333
Year: 1930s
Material: Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 30mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Caliber: Jaeger-LeCoultre cal. 408
Bracelet/Strap: Leather Strap with generic buckle
Meet the Jaeger-LeCoultre ref. E333, one of the brand's earliest water-resistant wristwatches. The letter 'E' in the reference stands for Étanche, French for watertight, and marks an important chapter in Jaeger-LeCoultre's early experiments with water-resistant watchmaking.
One of the things that makes this particular example so appealing is its wonderfully unusual case design. The angular stainless steel case, with its screw-down caseback and distinctive tonneau shape, looks remarkably modern for a watch from the 1930s. The beautiful cream-colored dial features a recessed central section, creating a wonderful sense of depth. Combined with the oversized Arabic numerals, blued hands and small seconds at six o'clock, it gives the watch an incredible amount of character.
A fascinating piece of early Jaeger-LeCoultre history, and truly a watch that deserves a place in a museum.
The watch has recently been serviced and keeps good time. When I acquired the watch, the bezel had a crack at the 6 o'clock position. This has since been professionally repaired, carefully preserving the original surface finishing.
————
Brand: Jaeger LeCoultre
Model: “Etanche”
Reference: E333
Year: 1930s
Material: Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 30mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Caliber: Jaeger-LeCoultre cal. 408
Bracelet/Strap: Leather Strap with generic buckle
