LeCoultre 'Cioccolatone' Dress Watch

Jaeger-LeCoultre is famed for the Reverso, but that piece’s origins are, believe it or not, as a tool watch — not a dress watch.  However, the firm did produce myriad dedicated dress watches throughout the years, perhaps none more elegant than those from the middle of the last century. A plethora of case and dial designs means that a vintage JLC dress piece is reasonably easy to come by, but finding a more unique configuration in great condition remains challenging. This particular dress watch is referred to as a 'Cioccolatone' ('big chocolate') after its distinctive, chocolate candy-shaped case that was used by numerous marques beginning in the 1950s. Measuring 27mm in 14K yellow gold, it features an unsigned crown, a smooth bezel, an acrylic crystal, and the Cioccolatone's distinctive flared lugs. Its silvered dial — with applied gold indices, 'sword' hands, and a sub-seconds register above 6 o'clock — is typical of midcentury dress pieces. Powered by a hand-wound movement and paired to a tapue-colored leather strap with contrasting top stitching and a yellow gold pin buckle, this gorgeous piece is a perfect entry point into the world of vintage dress watches. Strap it on and transport yourself in to the era of Mad Men, power lunches, and a time of classic midcentury elegance!