Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso with cloisonné enamel dial, '40s

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso with cloisonné enamel dial, '40s

Stainless steel reversible rectangular case, n.24624.Cloisonné enamel dial depicting a tennis player, applied indexes.Hand-winding movement.Leather strap.Size: 38 x 23 mm.Notes: Cloisonné enamel dials are the pinnacle of watchmaking craftsmanship; the main manufacturer of these dials, that were always individual artisan creations, was the well-known firm Stern Frères, which made dials for all the leading brands including Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Omega. Each dial was individually stamped with a code: the first digits were the brand code (93 for Patek Philippe, 103 for Rolex, 104 for Jaeger-LeCoultre...), then there was a star symbol between the remaining digits (referring to the specific creation). The present dial is marked 104*009. A similar specimen, but featuring a "Roland Garros" red clay background, has been sold in 2018 at Christie's for more than Chf 50,000. To the best of our knowledge, this is the very first time that a cloisonné enamel "Wimbledon" green grass background appears at auction.