A wood leather covered cigar box with a fully working clock in the lid, along with an accompanying wood leather covered cigarette box with enclosed match box with striking area to the side. This is an exceptional and very rare set by two of the most highly regarded luxury manufacturers in the world. Although the cigar box is not signed by Hermès, it is believed that it was retailed by Hermès and that the two boxes were purchased at the same time, in the same store. The set was purchased together from the same private collector. Hermès had a long term relationship with Jaeger-LeCoultre. They made a number of clocks and watches for the luxury French retailer for over fifty years. These pieces were not always signed by the retailer either. This is confirmed by original catalogs from Hermès from this period showing pieces only signed by "Jaeger LeCoultre", but sold in Hermès retail boutiques.
This set comprises of a wood made box covered in a, grained, deep red tanned calf leather with an Arabic sector dial Jaeger LeCoultre eight day clock set into the lid. The clock is wound and set from the inside of the back of the lid. The cigar box is lined with cedar wood to keep the tobacco moist. It has a moveable center divider that can be adjusted depending on the size of the cigar kept inside.
Along with this stunning cigar box is a matching cigarette box with match vesta. This piece is signed Hermès and is from the same period, and finished in a very similar leather. The vesta portion of the box is fabulous. There is a small lever to the side of the box, which once flipped, pushes out the match box, presenting the user with the matches without having to remove and slide out the match box from inside. There is also a place to strike the match on the outside of the box.
This set is made in France and Switzerland, circa 1930's and is in exceptional all original condition. This represents an amazing opportunity to buy an exceptionally rare, museum quality piece of Jaeger and Hermès history.