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1940s WWII-Issued Jaeger LeCoultre A.M. 6B/159 - Re-cased and re-cased in 1956 by the Ministry of Defence. Case back A.M. 6B/159 4593/56.

An extremely rare and sought-after piece of military history nowadays, the Jaeger LeCoultre A.M. 6B/159, issued to RAF Pilots in WWII, didn't originally have such a smooth journey since their first issue in the 1940s!

Produced by a number of world-class Swiss watch makers, including not only JLC but Omega and Longines, the 6B/159 models were issued to both navigators and RAF pilots from World War II onwards. The original chrome-topped cases (not typically suitable for military use) that the JLC 6B/159s were equipped with were known to degrade and expose their innards over time, particularly around their lugs which would often wear thin. This, combined with the fact that their dials weren't initially renowned for their visibility, led to the Ministry of Defence re-dialling and re-casing nearly all of the original Jaeger LeCoultre 6B/159s in 1956. They were left with solid stainless steel cases, brighter white dials and much more sturdy overall construction. In doing so, the MoD accidentally created several different variants of the Jaeger LeCoultre 6B/159, finishing them with four different dials! This was simply functional at the time: JLC wanted to use up similar dials which were left over from previous productions and ticked all the boxes needed by the RAF, but now plays right into the hands of military watch fanatics. Thankfully, the stainless steel case means that these pieces have survived well to this day after their re-casing, this specimen being no exception. For more information on the differences between these variants, check out this forum thread. 

These watches are renowned for their accuracy and reliability thanks to the Calibre 470 movement at their core, and with the officially updated cases have become not only highly collectible but functional too. 

What's on offer

This 1956 re-cased Jaeger LeCoultre WWII RAF-issued 6B/159 is in truly excellent condition. The bezel, case edges and lugs are all incredibly sharp still, with only the faintest signs of wear visible. The dial is a beautifully creamy off-white tone, and the blued steel hands look as shiny as when first fitted. A rare find in any condition but this one is especially nice, don't you agree?

Fresh to market after a recent service by John Senior and from a private collection of many years!

Additional information

Made from

Case: Stainless steel

Dial: Off-white

Crystal: Plexiglass

Bracelet: NATO style

Technical specifications

Winding: Manual wind

Movement type: Mechanical 

Calibre: 470

Jewels: 17 

Waterproof: When new

Purchase details

Condition: Excellent overall condition for its age

Model Reference: A.M. 6B/159

Date of issue: Originally 1940s, reissued 1956.

Guarantee

Supplied with a 12-month Vintage Watch Specialist guarantee 

Dimensions

Width: 

Lug width: 

Lug height (lug to lug): 

Wrist size: Adjustable