Early Atmos watch from Jaeger LeCoultre

Dimensions: H x W x D: 23.5 x 21 x 16.5 cm

Description:
Atmos II in matt brushed case. Blued screws, knurled screw on the front for regulating the rate, rotating pendulum with fine vertical stripes divided into 8 segments.
Dial ring with the old, original and slightly tarnished paintwork. As is usual with early dials - with horizontal 3 and horizontal 9.

Unlike today's models, this early Atmos watch still had two serial numbers. One for the case and one for the movement.
The serial number of the case can be read from above in the usual place: 21989.
The serial number of the movement can be read from the front on the plate: 22717.
Year of manufacture: 1950

The rate of the Atmos watches was initially set using a regulating screw from behind above the pressure box. Because the regulating screw was often damaged when the glass cover was lifted, it was moved to the front, in front of the pressure box, in the early 1950s. After a few years, this position was also deemed impractical and from then on the adjustment was made by means of a slide between the movement and the pressure box. This is still the case today.

A very beautiful and absolutely rare watch with a regulating screw that can be operated from the front!

Condition:
The watch has been freshly overhauled and runs absolutely reliably and accurately. The photos are not "embellished", the case condition is as shown in the photos.

Interesting facts:
In 1927, the young engineer Jean-Léon Reutter presented the prototype of the Atmos watch he had developed.
The response in the press was great and so he concluded a contract with the Compagnie générale de radiologie, which built and sold the "Atmos I" from 1930 under Reutter's direction.
As there were repeated problems with the watches, the movements were manufactured by Le Coultre et Ciein Switzerland from 1933 and in 1935 the production rights for the Atmos watch were transferred to Ets. Ed. Jaeger.
The focus was on developing a simpler and more robust motor, and the era of the Atmos from Jaeger-LeCoultre began in 1938.

The "watch that lives on air" uses the "breathing movements" of a gas-filled bellows caused by temperature fluctuations to wind the movement.
The movement of the watch stands out due to its cylindrical case on the back. It contains chloroethyl, a gas that expands particularly strongly between 10 °C and 27 °C, in a bellows-shaped expansion chamber.
A temperature difference of just one degree Celsius winds the watch for 48 hours. This interesting winding mechanism is complemented by an exquisite movement of extreme precision with a heavy torsion pendulum (rotating pendulum).
The condition for the accuracy of the watch is a stable and vibration-free installation.

Also worth mentioning is the absolute environmental friendliness of the clock, which, despite its unlimited running time, does not require a battery or any other electrical drive.
For decades, the Atmos has been Switzerland's official state gift to prominent visitors, e.g. politicians from abroad.

[Source: Jean Lebet - Living on Air / Jürgen Abeler - Ullstein Uhrenbuch]

Price: 3500,- €