Jaeger-LeCoultre Étrier Ref. 1670.42, 1960s

Identity

Jaeger-LeCoultre Étrier Ref. 1670.42, 1960s. Jaeger-LeCoultre manual-winding movement. Rectangular steel case, held by the two stirrup lugs, crown at 6 o'clock. Blue-grey dial, applied baton indexes, dauphine hands. Mineral crystal. Leather strap, steel pin buckle.

Horological context

The Étrier appeared at Jaeger-LeCoultre in the Art déco years, during the 1930s, as a ladies' watch of singular design: a small rectangular case suspended between four curved lugs that evoke a riding stirrup — hence its name. The crown is set at 6 o'clock to preserve the symmetry of the case. The manufacture had long-standing ties with the house of Hermès, whose saddlery and equestrian heritage resonates directly with the stirrup motif. Hermès offered Jaeger-LeCoultre watches in its Paris boutiques, and part of the Étrier production was co-signed by both houses until the early 1970s. Examples bearing the double signature (dial or case) remain the least common, the majority of Étrier belonging to Jaeger-LeCoultre's standard collection. Over more than seventy years the model has seen many variations: steel or 18-carat gold cases, yellow or white; leather straps with a pin buckle, or gold bracelets, rigid or Milanese-mesh, sometimes closed by an Hermès-signed clasp; dials in silver, champagne, cream, blue-grey or black, with applied indexes or painted Roman numerals. This diversity, carried by an architecture that has remained unchanged, makes the Étrier one of the most sought-after vintage ladies' watches from the manufacture.

Character

A slate blue-grey dial, whose sustained contrast with the metallic grey of the steel case and stirrup lugs makes the whole elegance of the piece.

Serviced. Very good condition. Supplied in a Contre-Temps box with the 12-month Contre-Temps warranty certificate.