Jaeger Clock 258

Even after the merge of the Jaeger logo and LeCoultre logo, 1937 – to the Jaeger-LeCoultre logo that is still in use today – all three logos appears both in documents and on dials long after.

Jaeger were more focusing on clocks and panel instruments such as speedometers, tachometers, etc., while LeCoultre focus were more on watch movements and wrist watches.

Here is a Jaeger ad from 1927, promoting their speedometer.

One can clearly see from where the inspiration to the Jaeger-LeCoultre logo comes from.

The LeCoultre logo is a bit different in style, upper logo, and if printed together, before 1937, lower logo – the difference is even more evident.

Since all three logos appears even after 1937, it is sometimes hard to identify from which year an object origins without access to more information.

One of these object I had for many years is this thermometer –

Dimensions are 120 mm in diameter, 8.5 mm thick and 130 mm high including the base (D: 60 mm).

The design is clearly inspired by dash board instruments, like a speedometer or a tachometer.

The double scales – both Centigrade and Fahrenheit makes it useful regardless if you are based in Europe or in the U.S.

I find it both beautiful and useful, especially now when we are moving into the summer months…

From the look, it is hard to determine from which year this thermometer is and there are no numbers or references anywhere to be found on the thermometer…

Not long ago I found this French Jaeger-LeCoultre catalogue from 1951 –

No, this thermometer is not included but inside the catalogue is the Clock reference 258.

A closer look shows us that it the exact same design, except it being a clock.

Also, the way it is presented one can draw the conclusion that it is smaller than the normal size of these kind of clocks, which would align with the size of the thermometer, 120 mm.

As I don’t have the clock, I can only assume that inside is either a T.W.O or 8 days movements, same as many other of these clocks from the 1950’s.

My take is that the “mystery” illusion of the hands are only created by a acrylic crystal with paint in the middle.

Back in 1951, the price for the Clock 258 was 13700 FR, not sure how much that would be in today’s currency but I would love to have one!

It would be a very cool pair to have beside each other in the office.

A bit strange that the thermometer was not included in the catalogue…

But I think there is an easy explanation for that – on the base of the thermometer it is stated “Souvenir de Jaeger“.

Guessing that the thermometer was not for sale – either used as accessories in stores or gifted to some VIP customers.

The “Thermorex” I suspect refers to the mechanical part of the thermometer, a bi-metal spring that is sensitive to temperature changes.

On the back is a small cylinder which must be the thermometer mechanism.

Based on this document I think it’s safe to say that this thermometer is from the late 1940’s or beginning of 1950’s.

Without the document, only based on the design, my guess would have been more like 1930’s to 1940’s… Still it could be that it was first released that early, but rarely the same reference is kept in the collection that long.