Updating…
Rare octagonal 37mm stainless steel sport Jaeger LeCoultre Master Mariner Chronometre, Ref. 24001-42, powered by automatic calibre 906, with hack second feature. JLC Ref. 24001 was introduced to the market in 1973 – as a response to 1972 Gerald Genta’s Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, and four years before Patek Philippe Nautilus was released.
C. Three-body, octagonal-shaped, polished and brushed, screwed down case back, sapphire crystal. D. Grey dial, engraved in two directions horizontal linear pattern, applied steel indexes baton indexes, luminous dots, aperture for the day and date. Luminous steel baton hour and minute hands, white center-seconds hand. M. Cal. 906, rhodium-plated, 21 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock-absorber, self-compensating flat balance-spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 37 mm. Thickness 10 mm.
There are so many similarities between the JLC and both siblings: one of the first sportchic steel watches, nautical theme, sharp octagonal case with elliptical bezel and dial, striped two tone dial, sophisticated automatic movements, etc. Inside Master Mariner works the chronometer-grade antimagnetic JLC cal 906, which has a second hacking-feature and was used in the celebrated Vacheron Constantin Chronometre Royal Ref. 42001. Also interesting that both movements of the original Nautilus and Royal Oak where refined Jaeger Lecoultre Cal. 920 (aka VC1120 aka AP2120 aka PP28-255), so there was always a strong connection between those brands.
The production of JLC Ref. 24001 ended after only two years, in 1975, as an unsuccessful victim of the quartz-crisis. Needless to note, that with a little more than 500 pieces made of this reference it is much rarer than the original AP Royal Oak Ref. 5402 (more than 5’000 pieces) or the initial Patek Nautilus Ref. 3700, that is around in more than 10’000 pieces.
Great original 9/10 condition, never polished and probably never opened, comes with original buckle and fitting JLC box, in fully working order.