Jaeger-leCoultre Master Mariner

General & History

The Ref. 24000 is a rare JLC steel “sport-chic” wristwatch from the early 1970s, powered by the automatic chronometer Caliber 906.
Production began around 1973 but was short-lived — it disappeared from JLC’s catalog by around 1974, partly because the market was shifting toward quartz watches at the time.
This reference is considered one of the last vintage JLC chronometers powered by Cal. 906, making it historically significant.


Technical Details

Caliber 906
Automatic chronometer-certified movement.
21 jewels, straight-line lever escapement.
Adjusted to temperature and five positions.
Hacking seconds (the seconds hand stops when you pull out the crown, allowing precise time-setting).
Includes a date function.
Case & Design
Case size: approx. 36 mm diameter, about 10 mm thick.
Stainless steel “tonneau” (cushion/integrated) case with integrated bracelet.
Distinctive dial, often with four subtly textured quadrants that catch light differently.
Known dial variants include silver-gray and darker gray versions.
Baton hour markers, with some versions showing Roman numerals at the quarter hours.


Rarity & Collector Value

Very limited production — some sources suggest around 500 pieces were made.
Auction houses such as Phillips and Antiquorum have sold examples, often describing them as the last of JLC’s vintage automatic chronometers.
Because it’s so rare and relatively under-the-radar, it can attract collectors who focus on unusual JLC models.
Condition matters a lot: untouched dials, original parts, and minimal polishing significantly affect value.