What is our Jaguar Type E watch made from ?
The materials in your AJ-003 tell as much of a story as its design. Every component was chosen to last and to stay true to the automotive spirit of the collection, starting with the dial, which is not a stylistic reference. For the full technical dimensions and specifications, see our technical specifications guide.
The 316L steel case
The AJ-003 case is machined from 316L steel, an alloy recognised in watchmaking for its corrosion resistance and its ability to hold contrasting finishes. The asymmetric lugs are brushed and satin-finished, catching the light differently depending on the angle, while the fixed bezel stays polished. The semi-integrated crown carries the engraved AJ logo.
The choice of 316L rather than standard steel is deliberate. This grade, sometimes called surgical steel, holds up better to prolonged contact with perspiration or sea air than a standard stainless steel, making it a common choice for watches designed for intensive daily wear.
The dial: a genuine piece of bodywork
This is the heart of the Type E collection. The dial is cut from the aluminium of an authentic 1962 Jaguar Type E Semi-Lightweight Series 1 3.8L bonnet. This isn't new aluminium treated to look old. This is the original material from the vehicle itself, vertically brushed, with a railway-track minute track drawn from the style of period Smiths instruments. Each dial carries a slightly different patina depending on which part of the bonnet it came from.
What truly sets your dial apart is not just its composition but its documented provenance. Unlike a dial simply inspired by the automotive world, this one comes from an identified and dated vehicle. That traceability is part of a broader approach to preservation rather than pure aesthetics, giving a second life to a piece of bodywork rather than preserving a piece of bodywork rather than seeing it lost. It's also what makes each piece genuinely singular, well beyond a simple colour variation between two batches.
Unlike a lacquered or treated dial, bare aluminium naturally develops a thin protective oxide layer on contact with air, which explains why its patina shifts slightly but remains stable over time.
The crystals: sapphire on the front, mineral at the back
The AJ-003 uses two different crystals, each with a specific role. On the front, a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment protects the dial: it's the most scratch-resistant material available in watchmaking. At the back, a screwed and polished caseback carries a mineral crystal, letting the movement show through while sealing the case.
The hands and the rotor
The hands are mirror-polished and treated with luminescent material to stay readable in low light despite the absence of any illumination on the dial itself. Inside, the automatic movement's rotor is skeletonised and bevelled, with Côtes de Genève finishing and a 3N gold galvanic treatment, visible through the caseback.
The French leather strap
The watch comes with a leather strap, hand-finished by French artisans. It's a living material that needs different care from the case. Our strap cleaning guide covers the right approach.
Why these choices matter
Each of these materials was selected for more than its appearance. The 316L steel stands up to daily use, the sapphire protects the dial from scratches without ever obscuring its original texture, and the aluminium of the dial preserves the authentic trace of its automotive past rather than erasing it. For day-to-day care of the case, our cleaning guide covers the right approach for each of these materials.