This exquisite vintage 1960s Jaeger LeCoultre Memovox alarm watch features a solid 14k yellow gold case and an original eggshell dial. With its automatic K814 movement and elegant design, this piece embodies the era's timeless sophistication. Ideal for collectors, it offers a unique blend of style and functionality, enhanced by a charming gold alarm inner ring. A perfect statement accessory that showcases masterful craftsmanship and innovation in watchmaking.
From the brand: Country of Manufacture -
USA
Year -
1960s
Serial - 998180
Model - 82195
Movement & caliber -
Automatic K814
Case diameter - 33 mm
This Item is
Final Sale
Do not expose the watch to water or any form of moisture as it is vintage.
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A solid 14k yellow gold Jaeger LeCoultre Memovox alarm watch. This very handsome and rare piece was part of the brand's continuation to develop more interesting and varied models post World War Two. Models such as "Powerwind", "Futurematic" and "Memovox" were propelling Jaeger LeCoultre to the forefront of watch innovation during this time. These aforementioned models marked the first production watch to include a power reserve. Launched by Jaeger LeCoultre in 1952, it was heralded as the "world's first fully automatic wrist watch".
The wrist alarm was not a new concept, initially launched by Eterna in 1914. However, they did not gain widespread popularity until the introduction of the Vulcan "Cricket" in 1947. It was this well made, loud and fairly inexpensive model that introduced the wrist alarm to the wider public, and President's alike! Off the back of this growing segment of the watch market, Jaeger LeCoultre developed their own model to compete in 1949. This initial model was powered by the manually wound caliber 489 movement, and was officially unveiled to the public at the Basel watch show in 1951.
Memovox, from the Latin "voice of memory", came in a large variety of cases and models, and with both manually wound, and automatic movements. In 1956 the caliber 815 included an oscillating weight fixed at the centre of the movement, limited by two bumpers, equipped with tiny shock-absorbing springs. Also, the nature in which the sound was created differed from other watches. A hammer struck a post which is welded to the inside of the case back.
Regarding this example, it is a rare version made for the US market and cased by US case maker D & A (DiVincenzo & Arienti). DiVincenzo & Arienti were a case manufacturer based in New York who made cases for brands such as Omega, Rolex, LeCoultre, Longines, Eglin, among others. Shipping watches uncased was a common practice at the time, done to avoid the prohibitively high duty rates on gold. The case is just over 34mm, but actually wears bigger due to the longer lugs and remains in almost perfect, original, unpolished condition.
The original egg shell dial with an underline LeCoultre signature at the 12 o'clock position, sitting above the beautiful gold alarm inner ring. It is in good condition with some general signs of wear and patina. There is no luminous material is present, a no lume dial or hand set. The inner alarm disc minute track and triangle alarm marker to help pin-point the alarm setting are in blue, which is a nice touch.
The two crowns; one for setting and winding the alarm, and one for setting and winding the time are both original. This is a US market watch, hence the dial being signed LeCoultre, and not Jaeger LeCoultre. The movement is the manually wound caliber 814, and presented in excellent condition. The watch dates toward the early 1960's and would be a welcome addition to any collection.
