Always a big fan of the Jaeger-LeCoultre alarm models and this one is no exception. The Memovox is a fully mechanical, alarm wristwatch with the top crown being used to wind and set a separate alarm barrel spring. The inner disc on the dial is set to the desired alarm time and once this time arrives an internal hammer is released, striking a post and sounding the alarm or buzz/vibration. Memoria 'memory' and vox 'voice.'
The dial is a stunning, aged cream patina colour with chrome slim angled baton markers. An inner minute track also has dot markers at hourly intervals. the 'Jaeger LeCoultre' signed dial with JL logo. As if the watch needed to get more complicated, a date window sits at 3 o'clock. Fully signed crowns and in our opinion the case has never been polished.
All of this is powered by the automatic bumper caliber 825, fully serviced by us and running strongly.
They call it a 'Jumbo,' and at 37mm it is oversized by vintage standards - after all, it does have a lot under the bonnet! The larger size still makes for a comfortable wear on the wrist. We've paired this watch on a plain black leather strap to enhance its beauty but when you are this impressive, you can wear anything! Below is a product video of the last Memovox we recently sold.
Antoine LeCoultre founded LeCoultre in 1833 in the small village of Le Sentier, Switzerland. By 1866, the LeCoultre workshop had grown from a home-run manufacturer to installing modern steam-driven machines to power the tools of watchmakers moving them from their homes and bringing them together, in one central unit. Newly named LeCoultre & Cie, the company became the very first manufacturer in the Vallée de Joux, Switzerland. Antoine and his son, Elie LeCoultre, employed more than 500 in-house watchmakers. In 1903, Edmond Jaeger, a watchmaker in Paris making watches for the French Navy, challenged the Swiss manufacturers to produce an ultra-thin movement. Jacques-David LeCoultre, Elie’s son, rose to the challenge and created the world’s thinnest pocket watch, equipped with the LeCoultre 146 calibre, measuring just 1.38 mm thick. Over the following years, Jaeger and LeCoultre kept in touch, building a strong friendship and in 1937 Jaeger-LeCoultre was founded. The company has produced many iconic timepieces, including the Reverso, Memovox, Atmos clock, military wristwatches such as the Mark VII and, in 1948, the first automatic watch to have a power-reserve indicator. Since 2000 they have been a fully owned subsidiary of the Swiss luxury group Richemont. This group includes Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, IWC Schaffhausen, Panerai, Piaget, Vacheron Constantin, Montblanc, Dunhill and Chloé.
This watch comes fully serviced by our on-site workshop and with a 12 month, non-waterproof service cover.
What we think
A true masterpiece of mechanical horological workmanship, One of the fist automatic alarm date watches and a piece of Jaeger heritage history .we've always loved a Memovox and but they aren't something we come by often so we are very excited by this rare and collectible timepiece!
Spec Stuff
Serial : 947####
Reference : 855
Movement : BumperCal. 825 Age :1961/1970 Specific Age :Circa 1966 Case Size : 37mm Case Thickness : 13mm Lug to Lug : Lugs : 18mm Condition : Pre-Owned Box & Papers : No Case Material : Stainless Steel Service History : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
1966 Jaeger LeCoultre Jumbo Memovox Alarm Date Wristwatch Model 855 in Stainless Steel Caliber 825
