JLC 881

The JLC 881 is an automatic chronometer movement from Jaeger-LeCoultre.

Introduced in 1961, the Calibre 881 was much more advanced than earlier Jaeger-LeCoultre automatic movements. No longer a bumper movement, Cal 881 features a full 360º winding system and, unlike many similar movements of the era, can wind in both directions. It beat at 19,800 vph, has a sweep second hand, and a date window.

The Calibre 881 was used in the famous Jaeger-LeCoultre Geomatic (ref E 398) and was submitted to COSC for chronometer certification. Jaeger-LeCoultre had earlier achieved chronometer certification with a descendent of their first automatic, P 476/3.

Calibre 881 was part of a family of movements, including Calibres 880, 882, and 883. There are three main variants of this family

• The basic movements have a fixed stud carrier
• Later Chronometer versions have a movable stud carrier
• Some also came with a “Spirotor” regulator with no stud for the balance spring

• Fixed stud carrier
  • K880 17 jewels, optional date
  • K880G 23 jewels, chronometer for Geomatic
  • K880S 23 jewels, hacking, optional date
• Movable stud carrier
  • K880G 23 jewels, optional date, chronometer for Geomatic
  • K881S 23 jewels, date, hacking
• Spirotor regulator
  • K882 17 jewels
  • K883 17 jewels, date
  • K883G 23 jewels, date, chronometer for Geomatic
  • K885 17 jewels, manual wind

• An interesting page of JLC history: Automatic watches