The Futurematic watches came in two models (or References) in their short run, the E501 and the E502. Each model had a movement, which was them updated and renamed over time.
The E501 had the 497 movement for most of the production run, switching to the very similar, but slightly updated 827.
The E502 had the 817 and the 837 movement, the latter being used in non-US markets.
Of the Futurematic watches, the E501 containing the 497 movement was by far the most produced, followed by the E502 817, and then the 827 and 837, in that order. While we do not have official production numbers from LeCoultre, these numbers have been quoted online[1]:
- Calibre 497 (E501) — 52,500
- Calibre 817 (E502) — 3,000
- Calibre 827 (E501) — 1,000
- Calibre 837 (E502) — 500
As you can see, the later models had significantly less production making them quite rare — especially the 827 and 837.
Movement Pages:
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaeger-LeCoultre
- https://www.watch-wiki.net/doku.php?id=jlc_497
- No longer active – http://www.fortunecity.com/marina/breakwater/13/future.html
- No longer active – http://tp178(dot).com; This site is now malware, do not visit.