Aaah, when I mentioned Vulcain and JLC, I was thinking about an alarm wristwatch... [nt]

Nov 04, 2016,23:11 PM
 

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Jaeger Lecoultre 2016: Master Memovox Boutique Edition, Blue. THE Review.

 
By: amanico : November 3rd, 2016-08:15
We all know the strong link between the brand and alarm watches. This link has one name: Memovox. As often, I invite you to discover the historical background before analyzing the new Master Memovox Boutique Edition Blue. I- THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT: There ...  

My take on it: a lazy effort not worthy of an anniversary watch. Disappointing (but nice)

 
By: Clavi : November 3rd, 2016-08:29
OK, since this is here the official topic on this watch, here is my take on it (copy of previous comment posted elsewhere, and even more valid after reading your review) This just confirms that my fears were right when first seeing the preview picture yes...  

Clavi, my thought is with you, but...

 
By: FanFrancisco : November 3rd, 2016-11:58
But nevertheless as based on my trying this watch on my wrist two days ago here, the three tones blue dial itself without bothering other non tribute details of the watch, it is indeed a nice watch as a whole. Stefan

I see all your points, Clavi. That's why I tried to study the links between this one and the vintage ones.

 
By: amanico : November 3rd, 2016-13:49
As for the date, 60th anniversary, I would have rather seen a no date Memovox. They didn't call it Tribute, though. But the fact that it is a Memovox whose purpose is to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Memovox Automatic wold have maybe led JLC to co... 

Amazing writeup.

 
By: keks : November 3rd, 2016-14:23
My 5c on the new piece is it leaves me a little cold. At least from pictures. It has lost all romantic element and strikes me as an ordinary watch with a blue dial. But I leave my final thoughts until seen in the metal. Blue dials are getting a little bit... 

Thanks for your feedback, Keks. I understand your point on blue dials.

 
By: amanico : November 3rd, 2016-14:42
This is a color which started to be very popular since the mid sixties. So nothing new under the sun. Best, Nicolas

Subject closed :)

 
By: crown comfort : November 3rd, 2016-08:33
nobody will ever need to write about this watch again, all is there from history to splendid photos. Very nice and welcome addition. I would only change the strap, but that's easy! Thanks, CC

Superb presentation Nicolas! Stunning photography and most complete text...

 
By: Subexplorer : November 3rd, 2016-08:46
... gives us a panorama of the origins of this new version of a classic: Momovox. Regarding the new version... well I would need to view in person. In contrary with other tributes/celebrations which have fired a desire to own them as soon as I viewed them... 

I concur, thorough and enjoyable review, a pleasure to read.

 
By: Sebi : November 3rd, 2016-08:58
This new memovox seem to be a really nice piece, plain and simple. Not a tribute, not a reedition, just a new watch with some great inspiration.

Instructing and interesting

 
By: piccolochimico (aka dsgalaxy1) : November 3rd, 2016-08:59
I have to admit that the analysis provided by clavi is extremely detailed and motivated. Seems that there are more (unused) skills here than in JLC's factory

Sad but so true my friend.

 
By: Velociphile - No longer in the building : March 23rd, 2017-13:40
Check the archives around the golden age of ThePuristS before WhatsApp stole the unpoliced forum traffic.

Fantastic post

 
By: logan2z : November 3rd, 2016-09:01
Excellent write-up on the history of the Memovox and stellar photos. If I didn't already have the silver dialed version of the Memovox I'd be very tempted by this piece. Well, I'm tempted anyway...

Quite an article, I learned a lot!

 
By: MichaelC : November 3rd, 2016-09:02
And I like the watch. Listen, I know we are "PuristS" here. But too often we get carried away critiquing what these brands do with inspiration / homage pieces. We should be able to look at a new offering like this one and be pleased with what we see. At t... 

Excellent presentation and review, thanks a lot Nicolas

 
By: MCG (Markus) : November 3rd, 2016-09:42
I like the new version a lot, especially the size, the color and the dial as such. I do not like the case (could have been done more interesting) and the price, which is (to) ambitious.

Thx for this comprehensive review !.. For Humble Me it ticks many boxes, although I see Clavi's points.. Yet still very nice..

 
By: hs111 : November 3rd, 2016-09:05
.. Thus, on a personal note I like this Boutique Edition: Specifically, I like the two ways to deal with on the dial: Outer - grained, Inner - sunburst. Also I find the light blue for the minuterie rail a nice match of the color spectrum. Although I see t... 

I love it...

 
By: Dave G : November 3rd, 2016-09:10
To me it is aesthetically pleasing. I appreciate some of the views around respecting the past, etc. but I think it looks great. I've already spoken with my Boutique managers about getting one. No question for me...

Beautiful watch without a doubt

 
By: agyzace : November 3rd, 2016-11:03
I feel a missed opportunity though to edit the case and make it less bulky. Have the normal edition, but although it is an impeccable watch, technically speaking, it would become astonishing with a reworked profile to slim/hide the 14mm of height. Thanks ... 

Superb review, Nicolas!

 
By: blomman Mr Blue : November 3rd, 2016-12:44
I think it is a beautiful watch that easily will sell out. So if this is a watch for you, you better hurry! That said, I understand the critic from a historical perspective... But like the Tribute to the Geophysic, if your look past the historical "sales ...  

Thanks for this very complete post Nicolas...

 
By: eklektik : November 3rd, 2016-13:54
... the history of the Memovox in your own words and the presentation of this new model is a pleasure to read! However, I\'m fully with Clavi on the watch itself. A nice one but nothing that makes me dream of. We will see what time tells and how the commu... 

Need to hit the boutique

 
By: jml_watches : November 3rd, 2016-15:42
Looks good, but to get a proper feel for it I think I need to get my grubby little mitts on one. Like the dial - but not 100% convinced. One of the elements I'm less enthusiastic about are the crowns- would like them a bit simpler in design. Also still no... 

Thks! Great history on the Memovox.

 
By: S F : November 3rd, 2016-17:10
While this version may not be exact tribute of any kind, I think I can look past that and treat it as a well executed modern watch.

Nice Review As Usual

 
By: RG1 : November 3rd, 2016-17:40
And nice addition from the manufacture. I think this one becomes hot piece for JLC fans...

Informative and good flow of presenting the blue Memovox. Thanks!

 
By: gup502 : November 3rd, 2016-18:41
Will need to see the real thing especially colour on screen can be deceptive and misleading. But the pictures look great.

I definitely like it!

 
By: KMII : November 3rd, 2016-21:28
Not quite a tribute or re-edition but certainly a nice watch with many appealing elements I see you did not manage to talk them out of a date here (quick set this time?) I like both the dial and the case but I guess one wonders if taking a \'wilder\' case... 

A fabulous post, thank you

 
By: Gus7 : November 3rd, 2016-22:59
Thank you for the fantastically comprehensive history. For me, I take this watch as it is, neither necessarily a faithful homage nor something completely novel. Rather it plays on heritage while succeeding in my eyes in being very modern. It is unlike the...  

Big congrats !

 
By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : November 5th, 2016-03:30
You must be the first or one of the first globally to get this Enjoy in the best of health ! Cheers Robin

Thank you Robin

 
By: Gus7 : November 5th, 2016-03:34
I did manage to get it pre the release announcement but kept all quiet! I\'m very happy.. ...  

Many thanks Nico for this detailed review

 
By: Mike H : November 4th, 2016-08:12
I have read thoroughly your review and stared at the pics quite a long time. This blue dial is really a killer. Many very interesting posts also from several fellow friends ; quite controversial indeed but after second thought I consider that this Master ... 

Thank you for this excellent article!

 
By: Mark in Paris : November 4th, 2016-08:35
As you know, regarding, tributes, limited editions and so on, I never look at what it means in terms of uniqueness, commercially speaking, but always think that what matters is the watch itself: is it good or not. I don't care about other disccussions. Fu... 

Great review as always. Killer pictures of a fantastic watch. I would take one exception to what you wrote. You said that the Memovox was not the first alarm watch but was preferred by the Vulcan 4 years earlier which was the first.

 
By: Mitch K : November 4th, 2016-14:08
That may be true but when I went to the Breguet exhibit last year I saw a time piece that was the size of a ring and it had an alarm function with the addition of a pin that would poke the wearer at the appointed time. Truly there is nothing new

Actually, first alarm wristwatch is much earlier and was patented by Eterna

 
By: Clavi : November 8th, 2016-06:05
Vulcain was not the first to launch a wrist alarm. Eterna patented one by 1914 (and officially aunched at the Swiss National Exhibition in Berne that same year), which can be considered the first commercial wrist alarm produced. (here it is) (nice enamel ...  

Actually...

 
By: VintageAlex (aka AlexKontiki) : March 23rd, 2017-10:47
Is true, One of the first models alarm wristwatches was created by ETERNA 1914 but they patented de invention of the alarm wrist watch in 1908. The model was a 30 mm case with a caliber 68. All the best Alex

Nice review Nicolas.

 
By: foversta : November 6th, 2016-05:22
I had the chance to handle the watch at the JLC boutique of London and I find it very dial is gorgeous and the color decreases the feeling of size. I publish a wristshot asap. Thanks a lot for the detailed review. Fx

That blue dials...

 
By: Rockethier : November 8th, 2016-11:18
How ever beautiful the new Boutique Edition is, and it is, my heart just stops at that 3072 and E 870! The boutique edition is a very well executed. The blue dials have been a trademark LeCoultre look for decades as is the case shape that seems to be a mi... 

Thre is only one PROBLEM

 
By: Mostel : November 17th, 2016-15:32
the case is obese. It's fat, heavy, gotta shed some pounds, too much belly... lol. I mean, this watch is SO gorgeous, so cool, so unique, so historic... but they didn't improve that larded case... AGHHHHH!!!! I'd buy this watch in .00000000001 seconds if ... 

I agree on the case. JLC should use the big MUT case for their Master Control line.

 
By: amanico : November 17th, 2016-22:45
Still, you think obese because you read 14 mm thick. But in the real, you don't have the same feeling. Even if the case is outdated, I agree on that. Best, Mostel. Nicolas

Hi Nicolas

 
By: Mostel : November 20th, 2016-15:58
I was trying to be a little silly... yes I'm sure it's hard to resist in person. I'm also going off photos of the case profile. If JLC had redone the case profile... can you imagine how irresistible this watch would be? It may sell out. But then we see so... 

There is always something new and inspiring materials in your review. Thanks!

 
By: gup502 : November 20th, 2016-17:18
The two-tone blue is quite nice. The outer lighter blue to me makes the watch looks slightly smaller. But one would probably notice that only if putting it next to an ordinary Memovox. Limited production is 500. If the individually numbered practice is no... 

There are not only the 1 and the 8, but the Nr 500, the birth years, the fetish numbers, and so on... But...

 
By: amanico : November 20th, 2016-22:59
I do get your point and argument. When a watch is beautiful, special numbers don't really matter, indeed. Best, my friend. And thanks for your feedback. Nicolas