Jaeger-LeCoultre Shark/Vogue

When you're a Shark you're a Shark — unless you're a Vogue!

The stunning chronograph you're looking at was once known by both names, depending on from whence you hailed. For the fashion-forward European market, it carried the Vogue name, and for us New World savages, the Shark. 

Always referred to internally as the Reference E.2643, the Shark/Vogue was a limited- production piece released by Jaeger-LeCoultre in the late 1960s as a response to the increasingly demanding sport chronograph market. Despite the prestigious name, the E.2643 saw limited commercial success at the time, ultimately bowing out after only a few years of production as the market was secured by the likes of Omega, Heuer, and Rolex. Sharing a number of key features with both Heuer and Rolex, the Shark/Vogue is a rare find today, and we were thrilled when it came through the door.

Sized at 40mm, the watch uses an Autavia 2446-styled case with thick beveled lugs, barrel pushers, an acrylic crystal and a rotating telemeter/12-hour bezel bezel, but unlike its Heuer cousin features a screw-down case back. A reverse-panda dial with triple subsidiary register layout evokes Autavias and Daytonas of the era, featuring registers for 30-minute and 12-hour counters along with sweeping subsidiary seconds. But with a fancy JLC wordmark and inner base-1000 tachymetre ring, the dial is distinctively LeCoultre. Powering this timepiece is the Calibre 72 manually-winding chronograph movement by Valjoux, a movement as robust as it is iconic.

With its incredibly crisp case and beautifully patinated dial, this rare chronograph is sure to make someone very, very happy!

Few watchmaking concerns are as storied as Jaeger-LeCoultre. Though the maison is not technically a member of the “Holy Trinity” of Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Vacheron Constantin, one could easily make the argument that it should be: After all, it was JLC that supplied movements to Patek from the beginning of the 20th century through the early 30s.

Founded in 1833 by Antoine LeCoutlre in Le Sentier, Switzerland, the firm became the Jaeger-LeCoultre we know today when it merged with Parisian watchmaker Edmond Jaeger’s business in 1937. The two horological concerns collaborated on numerous projects before cementing their partnership, the most important of which was no doubt the Reverso. A sport watch with a reversible case, this ingenious timepiece was designed to offer protection to the watch dial — when engaged in sport or otherwise dangerous activity, the wearer would simply flip the case over, exposing its back to the world, rather than the vulnerable crystal.

But the Reverso is far from the only significant timepiece brought to market by JLC: The firm also produced the world’s thinnest pocket watch in 1907, powered by the Caliber 145. In 1929, the maison released the Caliber 101, still today the smallest mechanical movement. (Queen Elizabeth II wore a Caliber 101-equipped wristwatch to her coronation in 1953.) And perhaps no other watchmaker is world-renowned for their production of a clock in the way that JLC is famous for the Atmos. Invented by Jean-Léon Reutter, it’s powered by miniscule changes in atmospheric pressure — Edmon Jaeger acquired the patent and licensed it beginning in 1936. The Atmos is still produced in numerous forms today, and remains the Swiss government’s foremost diplomatic gift.

From classic, near-centuries old designs like the Reverso and the Atmos to modern über-complications such as the brilliant Master Gyrotourbillon, Jaeger-LeCoultre remains on the cutting edge of horological technology nearly two centuries after its founding.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.