Brand comparisons usually run on opinion. This one runs on settled transactions: 723 recorded sales of Jaeger-LeCoultre and 125 of Bulgari, all in US dollars so the figures are directly comparable.
What each one actually costs
The median Jaeger-LeCoultre result is $5,980. The median Bulgari result is $3,500. On typical examples, Jaeger-LeCoultre carries roughly 1.7 times the price of Bulgari at auction.
Half of all Jaeger-LeCoultre sales land between $2,760 and $10,800. For Bulgari the middle half runs $1,664 to $9,600.
Which one surprises the specialists
58% of Jaeger-LeCoultre lots beat their high estimate, against 48% for Bulgari. That gap says the trade is more often caught out by Jaeger-LeCoultre, which is a sign of demand outrunning the published guide.
Breadth of the record
Our archive covers 207 distinct Jaeger-LeCoultre references and 23 for Bulgari, with results going back to 2001 and 2006 respectively. The top recorded result is $314,500 for Jaeger-LeCoultre and $277,200 for Bulgari.
What this does not tell you
A median is not a verdict. These brands overlap heavily at the edges, and a well chosen example of the cheaper one will outrun a poor example of the dearer one. Condition, completeness and model matter more than the badge on the dial.
