Jaeger-lecoultre Memovox – Mechanical Steel Alarm Watch – Circa 1950

Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox stainless steel wristwatch, made in the 1950s, belonging to the very first generation of this alarm watch that has become iconic for the Manufacture.

Introduced in 1950, the Memovox marked the beginning of a remarkable lineage of mechanical alarm watches at Jaeger-LeCoultre. Designed to accompany its owner’s daily life, its alarm function could be used to signal an appointment, remind the wearer of a deadline, or indicate a departure time.

This example features an aesthetic particularly characteristic of 1950s watchmaking. Its round steel case is notably distinguished by its beautiful, curved, and sculpted lugs, with a slender design that lends the watch a great deal of personality while retaining the classic elegance of timepieces from that era.

Its dial now displays an alluring ivory hue with champagne undertones, developed over time and accented by an aged patina that fully contributes to the piece’s character. It is marked by alternating Arabic numerals and gold-plated applied hour markers, complemented by hands that combine black and gold tones.

The dial’s layout immediately reveals the Memovox’s distinctive feature. At its center is a concentric rotating disc, recognizable by its triangular marker, which allows the user to set the time at which the alarm is to sound. The two crowns on the side of the case also reflect this specific mechanical design, with one controlling the time functions and the other the alarm mechanism.

The watch is equipped with the Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 489, a hand-wound mechanical movement developed for the first Memovox models. Its design is based on two separate winding systems, allowing the time-keeping movement and the alarm mechanism to be powered independently. The Caliber 489 thus holds a special place in the history of Jaeger-LeCoultre, as it is the first caliber in the Memovox lineage.

This watch thus combines two qualities that are particularly sought after in collectible timepieces: the distinctive charm of 1950s aesthetics and the mechanical appeal of a complication that has become one of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s historic hallmarks.

Presented in perfect condition and fully serviced, we guarantee its proper functioning for one year (except in cases of impact or immersion).

Brand: Jaeger-LeCoultre

Model: Memovox

Year: circa 1950

Movement: mechanical, hand-wound

Caliber: Jaeger-LeCoultre 489

Movement number: 730152

Functions: hours, minutes, central seconds, and mechanical alarm / wake-up

Dial: ivory with champagne hues, vintage patina, gold-plated applied Arabic numerals and hour markers, movable central alarm-setting disc

Case: steel, round, with curved lugs

Case back: steel, engraved “MEMOVOX” and numbered 598167

Crowns: two crowns, one of which is dedicated to winding and setting the alarm function

Strap: gold ostrich leather, replaced with a new one

Buckle: metal pin buckle, replaced

Crystal: domed Plexiglas, replaced with a new one

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Our reference number: ES20258