Kensington Watches
Jaeger-LeCoultre Great White Shark Chronograph 1960s 40.5MM Stainless Steel

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Jaeger-LeCoultre

Jaeger-LeCoultre Great White Shark Chronograph 1960s 40.5MM Stainless Steel

Ref. E2643

Among our 17 Jaeger-LeCoultre watchesThis watch£20,495
Premium

Sits in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s upper tier here — more premium than three quarters of the Jaeger-LeCoultre watches we list, which start at £5,650.

Price range £5,650 to £21,495 across 17 Jaeger-LeCoultre watches in stock.

The same watch was sold under two names — "Shark Deep Sea" in North America, "Vogue Chronograph" in Europe — and signed accordingly, either LeCoultre or Jaeger-LeCoultre depending on which side of the Atlantic it was destined for. That dual identity is now part of what collectors pursue, alongside the interchangeable bezel system that made it genuinely adaptable as a tool: the original sets came with three anodised aluminium bezels — diving, telemeter, and world time — swapped out depending on the job at hand. The Valjoux 72 inside is the reason the movement conversation always starts here. A column-wheel chronograph built to a standard that the early Rolex Daytona and Heuer Autavia drew on in the same period, it is one of the benchmarks by which mid-century Swiss ebauches are still judged. The matte black dial with white registers reads with immediate clarity, and the tritium lume — long past any useful glow on a surviving example — has aged into the warm cream patina that marks an undisturbed original. The bracelet is JB Champion's own stainless steel, the lugwork bevelled enough that 40mm carries closer to the wrist than the diameter alone would suggest.

Reference
E2643
Brand
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Collection
Deep Sea
Case size
40mm
Case material
Stainless steel
Case shape
Round
Dial
Black
Crystal
Acrylic
Movement
Manual
Calibre
Valjoux 72
Functions
Chronograph, Small seconds, Tachymeter, World time
Bracelet / strap
Stainless steel bracelet
Strap colour
Silver
Clasp
Deployant clasp
Lume
Luminous
Condition
Vintage
Retailer
Goldsmiths
Additional specifications
Origin
Swiss made
Learn more about Jaeger-LeCoultre

Antoine LeCoultre opened a workshop in Le Sentier in 1833 and set about solving a problem nobody else had: precise measurement. His Millionomètre of 1844 was the first instrument capable of measuring to a micron, and it let the Vallée de Joux move from skilled approximation to genuine precision.

The house became the movement supplier to the industry. Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Cartier, and Audemars Piguet all built watches on LeCoultre ébauches, and the manufacture has produced well over a thousand distinct calibres — an output no other house approaches. The partnership with the Parisian retailer Edmond Jaeger, formalised in the company name in 1937, gave it the Jaeger-LeCoultre it still carries.

Two products define it in the public mind. The Reverso of 1931 was designed so British Army officers in India could flip the case and protect the crystal during polo; the reversible case became one of the few genuinely original watch designs of the century. The Atmos clock, developed from 1928, runs on atmospheric temperature variation and needs no winding at all.

The Duoplan and the calibre 101 — still the smallest mechanical movement in series production, introduced in 1929 — sit alongside the gyrotourbillons and minute repeaters that keep the manufacture at the technical front.

Richemont has owned the house since 2000.

1833
Antoine LeCoultre founds his workshop in Le Sentier.
1844
The Millionomètre measures to the micron for the first time.
1929
Calibre 101, the smallest mechanical movement, is introduced.
1931
The Reverso launches with its flip case.
1937
The Jaeger-LeCoultre name is formalised.

All Jaeger-LeCoultre watches

Also in 4 collections

This watch appears in Back in Stock (4,847), Stainless Steel Watches (3,197), Chronograph Watches (1,234) and Pre-Owned, Ex-Display & Vintage Watches (344).

2-year Goldsmiths warranty

Best of 2 retailers

What the specifications mean

Strengths

  • 40mm suits most wrists
  • Luminous hands and markers for low light
  • Second time zone for travelling
  • One of Jaeger-LeCoultre's more premium watches

Worth knowing

  • Acrylic crystal marks easily, though it polishes out
Best forEveryday wearTravelTiming things

Jaeger-LeCoultre Great White Shark alternatives

Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.

Great White Shark Chronograph 1960s 40.5MM Stainless Steel compared with 2 alternatives from other brands
SpecificationThis watchGreat White Shark Chronograph 1960s 40.5MM Stainless SteelE2643TudorMontecarlo 7149/0 40mm Stainless Steel7149/0Vacheron ConstantinHistoriques American 1921 40mm Rose Gold82035/000R-9359
Price£20,495£13,950£28,950
Case size40mm39.5mm40mm
Water resistance——30m
MovementManualManualManual
StrapStainless steel braceletStainless steel braceletLeather strap
Power reserve——65 hours
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Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch

Will the glass scratch?

Yes, but it polishes out. Acrylic marks easily and a scratch can be buffed away at home, which is why vintage-style watches still use it.

Sapphire, mineral and acrylic compared

Does it need a battery?

No. It is hand-wound, so it needs winding every day or two but never a battery.

Quartz, automatic and solar compared

Is it a men's or women's watch?

Listed as men's, though at 40mm it sits in the range that suits anyone.

Cheapest place to buy

Both Goldsmiths and Mappin & Webb list it at £20,495, so choose on delivery and warranty rather than price.

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