Interiors & Decorations

Jewellery & Precious Stones

Watches, Pens & Lighters

Fashion

Coins & Stamps

Comics & Animation

Classic Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia

Wine, Whisky & Spirits

Asian & Tribal Art

Trading Cards

Toys & Models

Archaeology & Natural History

Sports

Music, Movies & Cameras

Books & Historical Memorabilia

The finest objects brought to you by {name}

Alfonso Minondo

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.

Worldwide fast shipping by DHL EXPRESS 

———————————————————————————-
Visit our Weekly Auctions Online Store to discover our variety of high-end watch brands, such as:

- Rolex, IWC, Hublot, Omega, Breitling, Panerai, Tag Heuer, Zenith, Audemars Piguet, Cartier, Patek Philippe, Jaeger LeCoultre, Longines, Chopard, Tudor, Blancpain, Glashutte, Franck Muller, Girard Perregaux, Maurice Lacroix, Universal Genéve , Chronographe Suisse, Seiko, Tissot, Baume Mercier, Versace, Hamilton, Oris, etc etc

Quartz - Steel

Jaeger-LeCoultre - “King Midas” Slim Quartz - Men - 1980

Watches

Reserve price

No reserve price

Buy now

Budget

From

Closing date

Thursday

Wednesday

today

Saturday

Tuesday

8 March

Friday

tomorrow

10 March

9 March

14 March

Location

Italy

The Netherlands

Japan

Türkiye

Spain

France

Germany

Latvia

Poland

Denmark

Hong Kong

Portugal

Romania

Lithuania

Taiwan

Belgium

United Kingdom

Switzerland

Austria

Sweden

Singapore

Greece

Hungary

Slovenia

Croatia

Brand

Seiko

Omega

Rolex

Tecnotempo

Tissot

TAG Heuer

Ublast

Longines

Maurice Lacroix

Cartier

Tudor

Rado

Breitling

Citizen

Hamilton

Norton

Baume & Mercier

Gucci

Oris

Bulova

Montblanc

Mathey-Tissot

Certina

Bvlgari

Case diameter

42 mm

40 mm

36 mm

41 mm

38 mm

43 mm

44 mm

39 mm

34 mm

35 mm

45 mm

37 mm

33 mm

32 mm

46 mm

30 mm

31 mm

28 mm

26 mm

24 mm

Greater than 50 mm

Less than 20 mm

50 mm

20 mm

25 mm

Watch band length

Regular (180–200 mm)

Long (over 200 mm)

Short (160–180 mm)

Very short (under 160 mm)

Object

Watch

Mechanical watch

Chronograph watch

Pocket watch

Watch accessory

Watch winder

Cufflinks

Stopwatch

Digital watch

Wristwatch parts

Marriage watch

Card case

Watch case

Chronograph pocket watch

Smart watch

Erotic pocket watch

Chain

Clock

Agenda cover

Card holder

Ashtray

Case

Jewellery applique

Paperweight

Watch stand

Country of origin

Russia

Unknown

Material

Steel

Stainless steel

Gold-plated

Titanium

Gold/Steel

Ceramic

Silver

Yellow gold

Pink gold

Gold

Chromed

Metal

Carbon

Gold-filled

Bioceramic

Bronze

White gold

Aluminium

Plastic

Silverplated

Platinum

Leather

Argentan

Polycarbon

Gunmetal

Gender

Women

Unisex

Condition

Very good - minor signs of wear

Good - visible signs of wear

Unworn - no signs of wear

Fair - major signs of wear

Unworn

Worn with little to no signs of use

As new - unused

Worn & in very good condition

In working condition with visible traces of use

Excellent condition - barely used with minimal signs of wear

Excellent condition, barely used with minimal signs of wear

Good condition, used with some signs of wear

As new, unused without original packaging

Very good condition - slightly used with small signs of wear

Good condition - used with some signs of wear

Good condition - used with small signs of ageing

New or as new, unused with or without original packaging

Very good

Very good condition, slightly used with small signs of wear

Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

Period

2020+

Watches

This object is no longer available, but there’s still lots to explore

Jaeger-LeCoultre - “King Midas” Slim Quartz - Men - 1980

Popular in Watches

11209 objects

Related collections