Jaeger-LeCoultre, founded in Le Sentier in 1833 by Antoine LeCoultre, is known as the "watchmaker's watchmaker" because the manufacture has supplied movements to Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, and others. The Reverso (1931), designed for polo players who needed a watch that could flip to protect its crystal, is one of the most enduring designs in watch history.
Available below retail on the secondary market at 22% discount, this model offers exceptional value for buyers willing to purchase pre-owned. This pricing makes it one of the better value propositions in the dress watch category.
The WVS Value Score of 68/100 reflects the balance between this watch's specifications, brand positioning, and market dynamics. While not the highest-scoring watch in its category, it may offer advantages in other areas such as design, availability, or raw specification value.
The estimated annual cost of ownership is $530 per year, accounting for depreciation, servicing, and insurance. While this is higher than some alternatives, it should be weighed against the wearing pleasure and prestige the watch provides daily.
Understanding the true cost of owning a luxury watch requires looking beyond the purchase price. Our cost-of-ownership model calculates the annual net expense of keeping the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Q4148420 on your wrist, factoring in three key components.
First, depreciation: based on historical pricing data for this reference and similar Jaeger-LeCoultre models, we estimate annual value change at 6%. This depreciation rate is typical for this price segment and brand positioning. Second, servicing: Jaeger-LeCoultre recommends periodic maintenance to ensure accuracy and water resistance. We amortize the estimated service cost across the recommended interval, arriving at $80 per year. Third, insurance: at approximately 1.5% of market value, annual insurance costs $90 to protect against theft, loss, or accidental damage.
Combining these factors yields a net annual cost of $530. That's roughly $1.45 per day — less than a daily cup of coffee.
Estimated market price trend based on aggregated public listing data. Prices reflect average asking prices for complete sets in excellent condition. Updated monthly.
Our proprietary score rates every luxury watch on a 0-100 scale across five dimensions. Scores above 85 indicate exceptional value retention and market positioning. The formula is transparent and weight-based.
When considering the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Q4148420, it helps to understand how it compares to alternatives in the dress watch category. The highest-scoring alternative is the Rolex Oyster Perpetual with a Value Score of 91/100, slightly above the Q4148420's 68/100. The comparison table below provides a detailed side-by-side analysis of all key metrics.
| Watch | Market Price | Size | WR | Own/Yr | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Q4148420 | $5,000–$7,000 | 40mm | 50m | $530/yr | 68 |
| Rolex Oyster Perpetual 126000 | $6,500–$10,000 | 41mm | 100m | $97/yr | 91 |
| Rolex Oyster Perpetual 124300 | $7,500–$13,000 | 41mm | 100m | $101/yr | 91 |
| Rolex Datejust 126300 | $9,000–$13,000 | 41mm | 100m | $102/yr | 89 |
| Rolex Datejust 126234 | $10,000–$14,000 | 41mm | 100m | $104/yr | 85 |
| Rolex Datejust 126334 | $11,000–$16,000 | 41mm | 100m | $107/yr | 86 |
Dress watches prioritize elegance and slim profiles over technical specifications. Designed to slip under a shirt cuff, they typically feature minimal dials, thin cases, and leather straps. For the collector, a dress watch represents the art of restraint — where value lies in finishing quality rather than feature count.
Key metrics for dress watches are case thickness (ideally under 10mm), movement finishing visible through a display caseback, dial quality, and strap/buckle craftsmanship. Water resistance is typically lower (30-50m) since these watches aren't designed for sport use.
Dress watches are ideal for business formal, black tie, and occasions where subtlety is valued. They may feel under-dressed with casual wear. Many collectors own a dress watch alongside a sport watch to cover all social contexts.
JLC watches are generally available at authorized dealers with moderate negotiation room (5-15% off MSRP). The Reverso remains the brand's most iconic and collectible piece, while the Master line offers exceptional horological value — you get manufacture-quality finishing at a fraction of what comparable quality costs from Patek or Lange.
JLC operates one of the most vertically integrated manufactures in Switzerland, producing everything from hairsprings to cases in-house. The brand holds over 1,200 calibres in its inventory and has created some of the thinnest movements ever made. The 1,000 Hours Control test exceeds COSC standards across multiple positions and conditions.
Service intervals are every 5-8 years with costs of $600-$1,500 depending on complication. JLC's in-house service capabilities are among the most comprehensive in the industry, reflecting their role as a full manufacture. The Reverso's flip mechanism should be inspected during service for spring tension.
JLC watches depreciate 25-40% from retail but represent extraordinary quality for the secondary market price. The Reverso Tribute holds value best and is increasingly collected. Knowledgeable collectors consider pre-owned JLC to be one of the best value propositions in the luxury watch market.
Enter your preferences for a personalized analysis based on our market data.
Every current reference ranked by Value Score. Click any model for full analysis.
| Ref | Variant | Retail | Score | Own/Yr | Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1548420 | Ultra Thin Steel/Silver | $8,050 | 68 | $568/yr | $5,500–$7,500 |
| Q4148420 | Control Date Steel ◂ | $7,650 | 68 | $530/yr | $5,000–$7,000 |
Value Score 68/100 · $530/year to own · 94% retention