Jaeger-LeCoultre Lamp Post Clock, Rue de la Paix

The Watchmaker's Watchmaker

During the 20th century, Jaeger LeCoultre was known for producing its own wristwatches, such as the Reverso and the Memovox, as well as creating an imaginative array of horological objects. With a wide range of different designs - from leather-bound travel clocks to miniature key pendants which tell the time - they were all powered by the manufacture’s own calibers. Their mechanical prowess was such that their movements also found themselves in the watches of Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin, among others.

Rue de la Paix Clock

Produced in the 1960s, this desk clock belongs to a series of street lamp clocks produced by Jaeger-LeCoultre, with a range of street names adorned on the typically Parisian street lamp. Other examples feature emblematic roads from a range of cities, from New York’s "Wall Street" to London’s "Portobello Road". This example, with "Rue de la Paix," is perhaps the most recognisable from the series.

Measuring almost thirty centimetres in height, this rather weighty clock is made from a brass base, painted over in green lacquer. The cream coloured dial features black Roman numerals, a classic Jaeger signature and is marked with a circled "8", indicative of the clock’s 8 day power reserve. The dial has developed a warm patina over time, making it a soft eggshell colour.

Above this, the Louis XV hands are made of blued-steel, adding a welcome touch of contrast to the dial. This example also features a convenient alarm, which only adds to its functionality. The “SWISS MADE” signature at 6 o’clock is a subtle reminder of the provenance of this collectable. An eccentric and playful object, executed with meticulous attention to detail, this could be a welcome addition to any desk or shelf.