Futurematic
The Futurematic is an automatic wristwatch model without a winding crown , which was manufactured by Jaeger-LeCoultre from 1951 to 1958 .
properties
In 1951, the Futurematic was the world's first automatic watch without a winding crown. A characteristic feature of Futurematic watches is a flat crown on the case back , which is only used to set the time.
The Futurematic watches were offered with two dial designs, both of which feature hours and minutes in two smaller displays, a power reserve display and a seconds display . The earlier version with the model name E501 has in two small ads clockwise and was with the caliber K497 , K497 / 1 or KP827 delivered. The later version is called the Futurematic Porthole (model name E502 ) due to the two recessed porthole- shaped displays and contains the calibers K817 , K817 / 1 or K837 . In the porthole of the seconds display, a disk with an arrow rotates, while in the porthole of the power reserve display there is a color change from red or blue (two variants) to white.
All calibers have a stop-seconds mechanism and a centrally suspended winding rotor that winds the barrel with a swing angle of 190 ° in both directions (pendulum winding). Furthermore, all Futurematic calibers have an antimagnetic balance wheel that is twenty percent larger and heavier , a regulator with micrometer regulation and a unique hook mechanism (instead of the usual slip clutch) to avoid excessive winding of the barrel. A complete relaxation of the mainspring in the barrel is avoided due to the design in order to enable the watch to restart immediately when it is put on. The last caliber ( KP827 and KP837 ) have a Parachoc - shock absorber , while the earlier caliber a KIF have -Stoßsicherung. The comparatively elaborate design was the basis for the US advertising slogan of the Futurematic at the time as “the world's most accurate automatic watch” (in German, “most accurate automatic watch in the world”).
Due to the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act , the Futurematic models for the American market were printed and engraved with LeCoultre instead of Jaeger-LeCoultre . An exception are case backs made of stainless steel, which are always embossed with LeCoultre on the inside of European and American watches at this time . The calibres manufactured in Switzerland for the American market were built into watch cases in the USA that were produced there. Sales in North America were carried out by Vacheron-Constantin-LeCoultre , a subsidiary of Longines- Wittnauer . The dials and case shapes used in the USA differ accordingly. For both models there were two case shapes in the European variants (one-sided curved lugs or teardrop-shaped lugs) and in three materials (stainless steel, yellow gold, red gold), while in the USA there were several forms in up to four materials (the previous three, plus 10- Carat gold-plated).
literature
- Franco Cologni, Douglas Kirkland and Maurizio Galimberti: Jaeger-LeCoultre. La Grande Maison . Éditions Flammarion, 2006, ISBN 9782080116130 .
- Zaf Basha: Jaeger LeCoultre , self-published. ISBN 9780615223872 .
Web links
- Futurematic advertisements and descriptions, caliber photo K497 . Retrieved March 10, 2013.
Individual evidence
- ↑ LIFE. from Oct. 15, 1951, ISSN 0024-3019 , p. 183 ( limited preview in Google book search).