LeCoultre Dress Watch | Textured Champaign Dial | 14k Gold Florentine Case (c. 1950's/60's)

A study in texture and restraint, this early-1950s LeCoultre pairs an engine-turned dial with a Florentine case. Two artisanal finishes rarely seen together.

A Note from the Curator

Produced for the American market in the 1950's/60's, this LeCoultre reflects a period when Swiss movements were cased in the United States to navigate import tariffs on precious metals, as noted on the caseback.

It features a manually wound K480/CW calibre and a 14k gold case with a Florentine-finished bezel, an uncommon decorative treatment that creates a subtle, matte sparkle. The dial is engine-turned, with a crosshatch pattern that sits somewhere between a basketweave and guilloché finish, offering more depth than standard stamped textures of the period. The combination of these two textural elements is what makes this piece stand out for me. This is a well-balanced design where both dial and case contribute equally, resulting in one of the most attractively finished dress watches I've seen from this era. 

Happy hunting, 
Brent

Condition Report & Contents

Case

• 14k yellow gold case, c. 1950s/60's
• Florentine-finished bezel with crisp crosshatch "Florentine" texture
• Measures 32.5mm diameter x 37mm lug-to-lug x 9.5mm thickness
• Honest wear consistent with age; finishing remains extremely well-preserved and defined

Dial

• Champaign toned dial with engine-turned (guilloché-style) crosshatch / basketweave texture
• Subtly executed pattern with excellent light play
• Applied gold markers with dauphine hands
• Small seconds sub-dial with crosshair printing
• Light aging visible, adding character without distraction

Hands

• Original dauphine hands
• Matching small seconds hand

Movement

• Manual wind LeCoultre Cal. K480/CW
• 17 jewels
• Running at approximately +/- 15 seconds per day
• Service history unknown
• Movement serial: 1,576,297

Caseback

• Signed: “Cased and Timed in U.S.A. by LeCoultre”
• Case serial: 784291
• Internal code: 182

Strap

• Brown textured lizard leather strap (non-original), with generic buckle

Specifications

• Brand: LeCoultre
• Era: c. early 1950's/60's
• Case Material: 14k Yellow Gold
• Case Size: 32.5mm
• Lug-to-Lug: 37mm
• Thickness: 9.5mm
• Dial: Engine-turned textured champaign dial
• Hands: Dauphine
• Movement: Manual wind, Cal. K480/CW
• Jewels: 17
• Functions: Time, small seconds