Jaeger-LeCoultre

amanico
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Futurematic E 502, so called Porthole.

I already made a review on the Futurematic, and, of course, I quickly mentionned one of the most curious, the Ref E 502, which is pictured above.

Let me spend some more time on this reference, now that I have the opportunity to have one nice specimen for some days.

This reference is also called " Porthole " due to these 2 very small windows which let appear the power reserve on the left and a turning arrow featuring the seconds, on the right part of the dial.



If this detail is the most obvious characteristic of the Ref 502, it is not by far, the only one.

One of my favourite detail is the name of the model on the dial, which is very nicely stylized:



Please note that this stylized signature can not always be found on the Porthole, as shown on Zaf's book, page 159, replaced, sometimes by " Automatic ".

I also have to say that I saw some Porholes coming in a luminous version ( radium dots and hands ) and non luminous versions, both seem to be correct.

The case is one millimeter bigger than a Ref E 501 ( 36 mm for the 501 / 37 mm for the E 502 ) and I don't even mention the smaller US cases which were 35 mm big.





The case is bigger, it is also differently shaped... Thicker, it has some larger lugs than on the E 501, as we'll see a bit later.

Even the movement is not the same: While the E 501 houses the well known Cal 497, the E 502 uses the Cal 817, and more rarely, the P 837.

These cosmetic change give a radically different look to the watch.

We can say that the E 501, even with its missing crown, looks very classic, timeless, when the Porthole is more futuristic.

Here are some pictures of the E 502 alone...









And side by side, to better appreciate their different personality, and their different cases, too:





A last picture featuring the E 501 on the top of the E 502, showing their respective profile:



To close this quick view, 2 more comments:

- I don't really know which one I prefer, between the Classic E 501, and the Futuristic E 502...

One thing is sure, I find the case of the E 501 to be more elegant, due to its slimmer lugs, but the E 502 is by far funnier.

- If you're in love with the Porthole, you may have some issues in finding it.

Indeed, approximatively one Futurematic out of ten ( LeCoultre and Jaeger LeCoultre included ) is a Porthole.

Hoping that you will enjoy this quick view,

Best.

Nicolas.

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