Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 476: A Robust Manual-Wind Movement with Center Seconds

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 476 is a vintage manual-winding mechanical movement, developed during the late 1950s to early 1960s. It was part of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s efforts to produce durable, precise, and slim calibers with central seconds, catering to evolving market preferences for cleaner dial layouts and more legible designs.

Technical Specifications

• Type: Manual-winding

• Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds

• Jewels: 17

• Frequency: 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz)

• Power Reserve: Around 40–42 hours

• Diameter: Approximately 23.3 mm

• Height: Roughly 4.2 mm

These dimensions offered a balance between durability and thinness, making the Caliber 476 ideal for both dress and everyday watches of the period.

Key Features and Design

The 476 was designed as a sturdy and efficient movement with a central seconds hand, differing from earlier JLC calibers that used small seconds at 6 o’clock. This layout required an updated gear train and friction-based seconds mechanism.

Main features include:

• Direct central seconds driven by an extended center wheel with a friction spring

• Reliable hand-winding feel, supported by a solid crown wheel and ratchet system

• Full bridge layout for enhanced gear stability and ease of assembly

Despite its simplicity, the Caliber 476 was engineered with long-term reliability in mind, making it popular in a wide range of time-only watches.

Movement Finishing

While the 476 was not a haute horlogerie showcase piece, it still benefitted from Jaeger-LeCoultre’s attention to finishing and detail:

• Bridges often exhibit straight graining or perlage

• Polished screw heads and chamfered edges

• A focus on clean architecture for ease of service and part replacement

Its restrained aesthetic matched the conservative watch designs of the time.

Applications in Watch Models

Caliber 476 was widely used in:

• Jaeger-LeCoultre and LeCoultre-branded wristwatches during the 1950s–60s

• Stainless steel and gold-cased dress watches, typically 33–36 mm in diameter

• Timepieces marketed both in Europe and the United States

The movement’s central seconds layout made it ideal for watches with minimalist or modernist dials, which were gaining popularity in that era.

Servicing Considerations

Watchmakers value the 476 for its service-friendly design. Key areas of focus include:

• Central seconds friction spring, which needs precise adjustment to avoid stuttering or drag

• Proper lubrication of the escapement, gear train, and mainspring barrel

• Checking for wear on winding wheels and pivot holes, especially in unserviced examples

Original parts are still available through vintage suppliers, and some components share compatibility with other JLC manual calibers.

Conclusion

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 476 is a clean, efficient, and reliable manual-wind movement, designed with the needs of mid-century watch wearers in mind. Its central seconds layout, slim profile, and proven durability make it a favorite among vintage watch collectors and watchmakers alike. While it may not carry the fame of some of JLC’s more complicated calibers, it remains a benchmark of mechanical simplicity and mid-century design excellence.