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Regarding Jaeger-LeCoultre Case and Catalog Numbers

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37K views 39 replies 16 participants last post by  drums4money  
S
#1 ·
I've been exploring the Jaeger-LeCoultre product lineup (now that I'm a customer) and thought I should try to clear up one issue that confused me quite a bit. I've also noticed this question comes up repeatedly in this and other forums, so let me be clear:

Each Jaeger-LeCoultre timepiece has two similar but different model numbers!
  1. The "Catalog Number" is what's shown on the web site and in other public materials
  2. The "Case Number" is what is actually engraved on the back of your watch

These numbers are confusingly similar, leading many buyers to be concerned that they got a different model than they paid for, that theirs is an outdated model, or that theirs is a fake since the numbers don't match. That's the bad part.

The good part is that Jaeger-LeCoultre has been pretty good about using consistent numbering and encoding useful information in these numbers, if only you know where to look!

Here's the decoder:

  1. Jaeger-LeCoultre catalog numbers are in three parts, "xxx-cs-dd"
    1. "xxx" is the watch case model from the catalog (note that this is usually different from the similar number engraved on the case!)
    2. "c" tells you what material the case is made from (using the same code as the case number)
    3. "s" tells you about the bracelet or strap and buckle
    4. "dd" probably encodes the dial and crystal configuration, but it's not very consistent or clear
  2. Jaeger-LeCoultre case numbers are also in three parts, "xxx-c-mm"
    1. "xxx" is the internal watch case number (different from the catalog case number)
    2. "c" is the case material code
    3. "mm" is the movement or calibre code

This is all extremely confusing but marvelously helpful. For example, every Jaeger-LeCoultre watch with "8" as fourth digit has a stainless steel case, and if your Reverso has a "54" as the final number on the case (like mine!), it's using their Calibre 854.

I put together a wiki page to document the many and various case numbers, and I've been populating it with the current catalog. But it's got a long way to go. I welcome your suggestions!
Jaeger-LeCoultre models - Watch Wiki, The Best Watches And Watch Brands

And I hope this helps alleviate some of the confusion and genuine concern people have regarding the mismatch between their watch's catalog number and the number engraved on the back of the case.
 
S
#3 ·
I wonder just how many watches get shipped back to the dealer after the buyer discovers that the number engraved on the back doesn't match what they saw in the catalog or website! You are certainly not alone with this confusion, and I am confused why the company would use two different sets of numbers when they could easily reconcile them in the space of just one year or so.
 
P
#4 · (Edited)
I have just come across this thread and the Wiki, for which many thanks. This is very helpful.

However, the Wiki has failed to answer one question which has been bugging me: the difference between the Duo (271) and the Duo Night & Day (272). I am looking to buy a pink gold in the pre-owned market and simply cannot get to the bottom of the difference.

Interestingly the JLC Salon in London is as confused as everyone else by the numbering: they told me that strap code 4 was one colour and 5 another, whereas the Wiki makes clear that one is pin buckle and one is deployant which makes more sense given what I saw in the Salon !
 
V
#10 ·
the number on the back of that case is the case serial number. only American cases for a Lecoutre have a case code. many JLC cases will have a reference number from the 60s or 70`s that is easy to look up on google. JLC aslo used an E number or Etanche number, Etanche means waterproof. Reference numbers and E numbers are simple to find on google to see what type of watch you have.the watch in the picture is not going to have a case code inside.
 
V
#11 ·
this is an example of a reference number or an E number.its very easy to look this up on google
the third picture shows a case code number 395c463.its not the same as the case serial number.using a case code catalogue will tell you the correct crown and crystal and what caliber is supposed to be in it
 

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T
#31 ·
tentate said:
Hi Vixen
Great information!
I will try to make a precise measurement to determine if it is 16 or 17, thank you a lot!!
Click to expand...
vixenmaster said:
that dates to 1933 and looks like a caliber 16 or 17. caliber 16 would be 35.3mm and caliber 17 would be 37.5mm
Click to expand...
Me again!
When you say "16" or "17" are you talking about the lines? or the proper caliber number?
Because I can't find these caliber numbers nowhere, could you post a couple of pictures for the 16 and 17?
Thank you!
 
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