Jaeger-LeCoultre - “King Midas” Slim Quartz - No reserve price - Men - 1980

Some may be surprised to realise that, despite providing the movement for every first-generation integrated bracelet sport watch from the Holy Trinity, Jaeger-LeCoultre has never had its own collection of integrated bracelet sport watches. Even the fiercely independent – F.P.Journe, Laurent Ferrier, Urban Jürgensen – are jumping on the bandwagon, but, nope, not JLC. They have only made one-offs, like this exceptionally rare Jaeger "King Midas".

Rarity plays a huge part in the collectibility of the original King Midas by Rolex. Its most desirable first series was produced in a run of about 800, but adding in subsequent series would give a total of almost 6,000. On the other hand, I have only ever seen four examples of the Jaeger "King Midas" throughout my entire collecting journey and can surmise that no more than 200 were ever produced. This is truly a hidden gem.

In sturdy stainless steel and measuring
- 27.5 mm wide,
- 35 mm long, and
- 5.5 mm thin,
the case of the Jaeger "King Midas" is as wide as but 9 mm longer than that of the Rolex original. While the latter features a flat and unbroken upper surface, the Jaeger's case is ribbed and gently curved to create visual continuity from the bracelet, which is supremely satisfying to the eye. It should be no surprise that the designers at JLC were more thoughtful than those at Rolex, even though the former were designing a relatively budget-friendly quartz watch in steel.

The bracelet of the present example fits a maximum wrist circumference of 17cm and can be sized using

Unusually, the dial is signed "Jaeger Paris", and not "Jaeger-LeCoultre" or just "LeCoultre", as are appropriate for the European and American markets, respectively. It is a common misconception that all timepieces signed "Jaeger" come from before the merger with LeCoultre. Edmund Jaeger, a Parisian, had built a remarkable reputation producing mechanical and electronic instruments not only for the wrist but also for every vehicle known to man, hence most of Jaeger-LeCoultre's vehicular instruments and a handful of watches meant for the French domestic market retained the "Jaeger" branding post-merger. However, most post-merger wristwatches signed "Jaeger" are chronographs, possibly to target those already familiar with Jaeger's vehicular exploits, like pilots, and it remains curious that a classy cuff like this received the same treatment.

It should be clear by now that the Jaeger "King Midas" is not only for those who want an affordable alternative to the Rolex King Midas but also for those who dream of a more thoughtfully designed, "set-it-and-forget-it daily beater" version of the King Midas or just an oddball offering from a brand to which the Holy Trinity are indebted and that has only recently gained the confidence to raise their retail prices by eye-watering percentages only to, surprisingly, perform better than ever before.

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