A 14k white gold Galaxy mystery dial from Jaeger-LeCoultre

Model: Galaxy Mystery

Circa: 1960s

Movement: Cal. 480 manual-wind movement

Case: 35mm; 14k white gold with snap-on case back and push-down crown

Dial: Silver, signed Jaeger LeCoultre; time indicated by diamonds set in white gold floating "mystery" discs; white gold applied baton indices

More about Jaeger-LeCoultre:

"Mystery" dials are not a new invention, having been first introduced on clocks in the 19th century. The concept is no mystery: the time is indicated with markers (here, diamonds) that seem to float on the dial on transparent rotating discs. Yet Jaeger LeCoultre refined and innovated the mystery dial, applying for several patents which culminated in the release of their Galaxy Mystery watch in the 1940s.

Jaeger LeCoultre sold the Galaxy mystery watch until the 1970s. Galaxy mystery watches in the U.S. were imported under the moniker LeCoultre, and was marketed as a collaboration between LeCoultre and Vacheron Constantin. The present watch is an example from the European market, contains a manual-wind Jaeger LeCoultre movement, and was manufactured in the 1960s. Despite the innovations and clever design of the Galaxy mystery watch, it did not enjoy the popularity of other Jaeger LeCoultre models such as the Reverso and Memovox, thus making it rare and highly collectible in this pristine condition.