JULES JÜRGENSEN 18K ULTRA-SLIM DRESS WATCH

Description

Item description: 1960s gold ultra-slim dress watch  from Jules Jürgensen, Switzerland. The watch with a classic circular case, and with a matt golden dial. The dial with gold battons and Latin numbers ’12’ and ‘6’. The dial signed ‘Jules Jürgensen Est.1740’. The case-back impressed with the gold hallmark, and the 18K gold designation. The 17 jewel movement with fine gold washed bridges and platform (signed). The inside of the case-back signed. The watch with a pleasant contrasting dark tan crocodile strap and gold metal non-branded buckle.

Size: 40mm x 34mm

Condition report: The watch in excellent condition. Dial original and excellent condition. Movement clean and functioning (no warranty implied).  The timepiece may have been opened, so it should not be used near moisture or water without being checked by a qualified watchmaker.

Background to Jules Jürgensen: One of the oldest watchmakers, Jules Jurgensen was founded by Jürgen Jürgensen in 1740 in Denmark, when Jürgen Jürgensen went into partnership with Isaac Larpent, under the name Larpent & Jürgensen. Upon Jürgen’s death in 1811, his youngest son Frederik took over the company and changed the name to Frederik Jürgensen. By the 1900s, the company had been inherited by Jules Jürgensen, who moved production to Switzerland, and continued production under his name. In 1936, Jules Jürgensen was sold to a company in the US, although production was still undertaken in Switzerland. By the 1960s, Jules Jürgensen, as with many other manufacturers, were trying to create the slimmest watch.  Although they couldn’t match the likes of Vacheron Constantin, they did manage to produce a watch of just 2mm thickness. In 1974, a US-based watch distributor, Mort Clayman, acquired Jules Jürgensen, and production of watches continued from Switzerland, but under Clayman’s ownership, and distrubtion network, much of the production was imported into the US. Clayman died in January 2010, and the company was closed by his family. In 2011, Dr. Helmut Crott, owner of Urban Jürgensen & Sønner acquired the rights from the Clayman family.

Provenance: n/a

Ordering: shop@jensenmuseum.org or telephone: +1694-781354