The City of Light Beckons as Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Latest Collectibles Exhibition Comes to Paris this June

Jaeger-LeCoultre, hailed as the Watchmaker’s Watchmaker, has unveiled the fourth capsule collection of The Collectibles. This carefully curated selection brings together 10 rare and historically significant timepieces, all crafted during the golden era of 20th-century watchmaking — a period stretching from the 1920s to the 1970s that defined the aesthetic and technical codes of modern horology. Set to be presented on June 13 in Paris, the city where Edmond Jaeger began his storied partnership with Jacques-David LeCoultre, the collection pays homage to the spirit of innovation and elegance that emerged from their collaboration, culminating in the official merger of the two Maisons in 1937. 

This edition of The Collectibles spotlights the Duoplan movement, a revolutionary creation that embodied Jaeger-LeCoultre’s pioneering approach to miniaturisation and precision. It’s a tribute not only to a landmark invention, but also to the enduring legacy of Paris as a cradle of horological artistry. The Collectibles was created for collectors eager to own one of La Grande Maison’s most iconic timepieces as well as for enthusiasts looking to deepen their understanding of a pivotal era — one that marked significant advancements not only for the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre, but also for the evolution of watchmaking as a whole. 

All watches featured in The Collectibles programme are sourced from the 17 iconic models highlighted in The Collectibles coffee table book. Serving as the definitive guide to the Manufacture’s most important creations from the 1920s to the 1970s, the book showcases pioneering innovations such as the Duoplan, Reverso, Memovox, Futurematic, and Geophysic. Each of the 17 models is explored in dedicated chapters, providing collectors with key details including production numbers, movement types, case materials, and dial variations. Rich historical narratives place each model within the cultural and technological landscape of its time, allowing for a deeper appreciation of the modern mechanical watch’s evolution.

All 10 watches in the fourth capsule collection are equipped with the Duoplan movement. Patented in 1925, this innovative mechanism marked a breakthrough in miniaturisation. It addressed a long-standing challenge in watchmaking: the tendency for smaller components to compromise durability and reliability. LeCoultre’s ingenious solution was a rectangular, dual-level movement architecture that allowed larger, more robust components to be compactly arranged within a smaller case.

The Duoplan movement had a profound influence on the design of women’s watches in particular. The Duoplan family eventually included four calibres, most notably Calibre 101, introduced in 1929 and still in production today, making it the oldest calibre in continuous manufacture. Originally supplied to watchmakers and jewellers to power their own creations, the Duoplan unlocked new creative possibilities and soon evolved into a flagship line under the Manufacture’s own name.

The fourth capsule collection of The Collectibles celebrates Jaeger-LeCoultre’s rich heritage in women’s watchmaking. Since its early years, the Manufacture has combined technical innovation and miniaturisation with refined aesthetics and new ways of wearing time. In 1865, it created one of its first women’s wristwatches, adorned with diamonds and rubies. The introduction of the Duoplan in the 1920s marked a turning point; it redefined women’s watches and echoed the spirit of emancipation. Light, stylish, and technically advanced, the Duoplan became both a timekeeping instrument and a symbol of modern femininity.

The fourth capsule collection features a diverse selection of timepieces, ranging from diamond-set Art Deco cocktail watches to striking, design-driven creations from the 1940s and 1950s. Among these distinctive pieces is a Duoplan Tubogas secret watch from around 1950, crafted in 18 ct yellow gold, characterised by bold vertical and horizontal ribbing. Another highlight is a c.1941 Duoplan Chaine, mounted on a bracelet of broad yellow gold links. Reflecting the evolving tastes of the mid-20th century, the collection also includes a 1960 High Jewellery Secret Watch, elegantly integrated into a white gold bracelet adorned with diamonds and sapphires in a rivière setting. It is powered by Calibre 101, the smallest movement in the Duoplan family.

Also featured is a rarely seen variant from the Duoplan Tuile collection, named for its distinctive convex crystal that echoes the tunnel-shaped roof tiles found on traditional Mediterranean homes. This 1939 model showcases a rectangular case with the dial positioned at a 90-degree angle, instead of being aligned vertically along the wrist. A similar horizontal layout appears on a 1930s steel Duoplan Driver, which sports white numerals and hands against a black dial. Designed with practicality in mind, the ‘Driver’ — named for its angled case that allowed motorists to check the time without taking their hands off the wheel — stands as a compelling example of Duoplan’s functional approach to watchmaking.

Each timepiece featured in The Collectibles programme comes with an extract from the Jaeger-LeCoultre archives and a complimentary copy of The Collectibles. Additionally, a new leather strap, carefully selected to suit the style of the watch concerned, is provided, except for models with integrated metal bracelets. Whenever possible, the original box, papers, and original strap or bracelet are also included. From June 13 (launch date) to July 27, the fourth capsule collection of The Collectibles, along with The Collectibles book, will be showcased at the Jaeger-LeCoultre boutique located at 7 Place Vendôme, a famous square in Paris. The timepieces can be purchased online at jaeger-lecoultre.com, by appointment at the boutique via bit.ly/BoutiqueAppointmentVendome, or during the Paris presentation.

Jaeger-LeCoultre, hailed as the Watchmaker’s Watchmaker, has unveiled the fourth capsule collection of The Collectibles. This carefully curated selection brings together 10 rare and historically significant timepieces, all crafted during the golden era of 20th-century watchmaking — a period stretching from the 1920s to the 1970s that defined the aesthetic and technical codes of modern horology. Set to be presented on June 13 in Paris, the city where Edmond Jaeger began his storied partnership with Jacques-David LeCoultre, the collection pays homage to the spirit of innovation and elegance that emerged from their collaboration, culminating in the official merger of the two Maisons in 1937. 

This edition of The Collectibles spotlights the Duoplan movement, a revolutionary creation that embodied Jaeger-LeCoultre’s pioneering approach to miniaturisation and precision. It’s a tribute not only to a landmark invention, but also to the enduring legacy of Paris as a cradle of horological artistry. The Collectibles was created for collectors eager to own one of La Grande Maison’s most iconic timepieces as well as for enthusiasts looking to deepen their understanding of a pivotal era — one that marked significant advancements not only for the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre, but also for the evolution of watchmaking as a whole. 

All watches featured in The Collectibles programme are sourced from the 17 iconic models highlighted in The Collectibles coffee table book. Serving as the definitive guide to the Manufacture’s most important creations from the 1920s to the 1970s, the book showcases pioneering innovations such as the Duoplan, Reverso, Memovox, Futurematic, and Geophysic. Each of the 17 models is explored in dedicated chapters, providing collectors with key details including production numbers, movement types, case materials, and dial variations. Rich historical narratives place each model within the cultural and technological landscape of its time, allowing for a deeper appreciation of the modern mechanical watch’s evolution.

All 10 watches in the fourth capsule collection are equipped with the Duoplan movement. Patented in 1925, this innovative mechanism marked a breakthrough in miniaturisation. It addressed a long-standing challenge in watchmaking: the tendency for smaller components to compromise durability and reliability. LeCoultre’s ingenious solution was a rectangular, dual-level movement architecture that allowed larger, more robust components to be compactly arranged within a smaller case.

The Duoplan movement had a profound influence on the design of women’s watches in particular. The Duoplan family eventually included four calibres, most notably Calibre 101, introduced in 1929 and still in production today, making it the oldest calibre in continuous manufacture. Originally supplied to watchmakers and jewellers to power their own creations, the Duoplan unlocked new creative possibilities and soon evolved into a flagship line under the Manufacture’s own name.

The fourth capsule collection of The Collectibles celebrates Jaeger-LeCoultre’s rich heritage in women’s watchmaking. Since its early years, the Manufacture has combined technical innovation and miniaturisation with refined aesthetics and new ways of wearing time. In 1865, it created one of its first women’s wristwatches, adorned with diamonds and rubies. The introduction of the Duoplan in the 1920s marked a turning point; it redefined women’s watches and echoed the spirit of emancipation. Light, stylish, and technically advanced, the Duoplan became both a timekeeping instrument and a symbol of modern femininity.

The fourth capsule collection features a diverse selection of timepieces, ranging from diamond-set Art Deco cocktail watches to striking, design-driven creations from the 1940s and 1950s. Among these distinctive pieces is a Duoplan Tubogas secret watch from around 1950, crafted in 18 ct yellow gold, characterised by bold vertical and horizontal ribbing. Another highlight is a c.1941 Duoplan Chaine, mounted on a bracelet of broad yellow gold links. Reflecting the evolving tastes of the mid-20th century, the collection also includes a 1960 High Jewellery Secret Watch, elegantly integrated into a white gold bracelet adorned with diamonds and sapphires in a rivière setting. It is powered by Calibre 101, the smallest movement in the Duoplan family.

Also featured is a rarely seen variant from the Duoplan Tuile collection, named for its distinctive convex crystal that echoes the tunnel-shaped roof tiles found on traditional Mediterranean homes. This 1939 model showcases a rectangular case with the dial positioned at a 90-degree angle, instead of being aligned vertically along the wrist. A similar horizontal layout appears on a 1930s steel Duoplan Driver, which sports white numerals and hands against a black dial. Designed with practicality in mind, the ‘Driver’ — named for its angled case that allowed motorists to check the time without taking their hands off the wheel — stands as a compelling example of Duoplan’s functional approach to watchmaking.

Each timepiece featured in The Collectibles programme comes with an extract from the Jaeger-LeCoultre archives and a complimentary copy of The Collectibles. Additionally, a new leather strap, carefully selected to suit the style of the watch concerned, is provided, except for models with integrated metal bracelets. Whenever possible, the original box, papers, and original strap or bracelet are also included. From June 13 (launch date) to July 27, the fourth capsule collection of The Collectibles, along with The Collectibles book, will be showcased at the Jaeger-LeCoultre boutique located at 7 Place Vendôme, a famous square in Paris. The timepieces can be purchased online at jaeger-lecoultre.com, by appointment at the boutique via bit.ly/BoutiqueAppointmentVendome, or during the Paris presentation.