Off the beaten path, there lies a historic brand established back in the 1960s that has demonstrated excellence in the design and manufacturing of robust tool watches. French watch company Le Jour, meaning “the day” in French, distributed and retailed Swiss-made timepieces in Europe and the United States under their name since the ‘60s. One of their most notable partners was the renowned Swiss watch manufacturer Heuer, this resulted in the birth of many stunning Le Jour-branded chronographs fitted with reliable Valjoux movements which became highly sought after by vintage watch collectors today.
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Le Jour Le Mans Chronograph Vintage White Ref. LJ-LM-001
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At a time where racing chronographs were booming, Le Jour introduced their 7203 chronograph in the Europoean market in the ‘80s, an iconic piece manufactured by Heuer based on the design of the Heuer Pasadena. This was an incredibly sought-after model by chronograph collectors as an affordable Heuer chronograph alternative. Although Le Jour fell victim to the quartz crisis and perished alongside many great watch brands, they were revived in recent years with impressive vintage-inspired offerings that just look simply gorgeous - what a way to restore the brand back to its former glory.
Recalling their comprehensive knowledge of chronographs from back in the day, Le Jour unveils their latest vintage-inspired racing chronograph that revisits the classic chronograph designs from watches of the late 60s to the early 80s. The Le Jour Le Mans Chronograph Vintage White Ref. LJ-LM-001 is housed in a well-constructed 316L stainless steel case, made like a truly robust tool watch.
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“Exotic” sub-dial counters
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With a case diameter of 42mm, a lug to lug distance of 51mm and a thickness of 17mm (including the domed sapphire crystal and caseback), the Le Mans Chronograph exhibits a bold presence while maintaining an excellent wearability on the wrist. A clear high quality in the fit and finish is demonstrated with fine satin brushing all around the case that carries down to the solid 22mm stainless steel bracelet. The brushed finishing at the top of the lugs and side of the case is transitioned seamlessly with a slight polished chamfer running from one lug to another, elevating the piece with an extra dash of refinement.
The Le Jour Le Mans Chronograph Vintage White Ref. LJ-LM-001 features a fixed black stainless steel bezel with a tachymeter scale for the measurement of speed over a fixed distance, a convenient feature especially for drivers in sports-car racing.
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Screw-down pushers and crown for tighter water-resistant
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Visually distinguishable as a sports chronograph from its prominent three chronograph registers at the 12, 6 and 9 o’clock position, the Le Jour Le Mans Chronograph Vintage White Ref. LJ-LM-001 presents a matte off-white dial with a contrasting black minute track on the outer edges. Slender baton hands retain the legibility of the chronograph registers with minimal obstruction, allowing for an overall balanced and coherent dial design. For a true vintage appeal, the dial is protected by a highly domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, mimicking the warm charm of acrylic crystals used in the past.
The Le Jour Le Mans Chronograph Vintage White Ref. LJ-LM-001 is driven by the dependable Swiss ETA caliber 7750 automatic chronograph movement. This renowned movement is no stranger to many chronograph lovers, being a tried-and-tested movement with 25 jewels beating at 28,800 beats per hour. Held in with an engraved screw-in caseback, the watch flaunts a surprising 20 ATM (200 meters) of water resistance for a mechanical chronograph, granting ample protection against accidental water splashes.
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Swiss Super-Luminova that glows green in the dark
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Lately, Le Jour has been delivering us with multiple vintage-inspired models that look simply amazing, this latest addition brought a compelling design many will surely appreciate. With the perfect blend of sophistication and a retro style, the Le Jour Le Mans Chronograph Vintage White Ref. LJ-LM-001 bears a classic look that will assuredly stay timeless for many years to come.
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