Abraham-Joseph LeCoultre  1746-1814

Started as a toolmaker and cutler producing farm and household
utensils in Vallee de Joux in Switzerland.

In 1781 Jaques-David LeCoultre (son) took over the business and
died in 1850.

Jaques son, Antoine (1803-1881) began learning metal working and
became interested in wheels and gears and escapements.  In 1833 he
started a business with is brother Ulysses LeCoultre (1813-1895).

This company began producing pendulum clocks in 1847.  It
operated in his home and he employed 20 works. In 1859 the
company moved to factory status and employed 100 people.

1869 the company merged with Borgeaus & Cie and production
quadrupled and the number of employees doubled.  By that time
Antoine's three sons (Elie, Paul and Benjamin) were running the
business.  They began producing 40 hand finished watches daily.

By 1890 they were producing or had produced 125 different calipers.

In 1903 LeCoultre took on a contract with Jaeger in Paris.

Between 1908 and 1909 the company was being run by Elie son
Jaques-David.  He struck up a close relationship with Patek
Philippe in Geneva.

During WW I LeCoultre and Cie was one of the greatest Swiss
watch Manufacturing company.

There is not record that I've found that proves a merger
between Jaeger and LeCoultre, only that they contracted to
produce watches under both names.

1920-1970 - Jaeger-LeCoultre produced outstanding watches,
like the Reverso which was patent in Paris in 1931 and then in
Switzerland and USA.


Enjoy
Regards
Tim Sweet
M.O.S.T Watch & Clock Co.