Jaeger-LeCoultre Kryos Chronographe Diver Steel + 18K Yellow Gold FULL SET Ref. 305.5.31 (circa 2004)

WHY WE CURATED IT:
A very underrated JLC; easily overlooked by casual observers but transforms into a sublime piece when on the wrist. Rich in history and significance too. Besides being a haute horlogerie watch brand, JLC is the most prolific and respected movement manufacturer of all time; widely hailed as “The Watchmakers’ Watchmaker”. For over a century, it famously supplied movements to Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Cartier, IWC and Breguet, to name just a few. So maybe it’s no surprise that post-Quartz Revolution, JLC was the first to come out with an all-new hybrid movement type… the Caliber 630 mechanical quartz (“MechaQuartz”) chronograph. This combines the accuracy and grab-and-go, always-on convenience of a high-end quartz timekeeping base, with the tactile operation, granular sub-second accuracy and instant snapback reset of a mechanical chronograph complication. The Japanese followed about half a decade later. My favourite of this drop, this Kryos is stunning with its slim chronograph diver-esque case, integrated bracelet, play on colour tones, and a myriad of details to be discovered including gold-rimmed subdials, rider tab bezel, combo tachymetre and pulsometer scales, and that super slinky and comfortable bracelet. An IYKYK dressy sports watch in exceptional condition, with its original boxes and papers. When everyone is settling for the usual suspects, rock this and stand out!

CONDITION:
9.5/10, with barely any signs of wear. As mint as it gets! Dial, markers, hands and crystal are pristine. Original signed crown. Bracelet has minor hairlines but presents clean on the wrist. Movement in excellent health with all functions performing flawlessly and quartz-accurate.

DIMENSIONS:
36mm width excl. crown
40.4mm length incl. lugs
9.5mm thickness
Visual dial width ~23.5mm
Wrist in photos is 15.8cm in circumference

CRYSTAL:
Acrylic

CASE:
Steel and 18K yellow gold

WATER RESISTANCE:
Assumed none, as per vintage watches

STRAP:
Original JLC integrated 7-link steel and 18K gold bracelet with butterfly deployant clasp (fits max wrists 17.8cm)

CALIBRE:
JLC Cal. 630, 6-hander mechaquartz chronograph with hacking seconds and quickset date

COMES WITH:
Watch, original bracelet, inner and outer boxes, warranty papers

TERMS OF SALE:
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