Automotive
Elliot55 delves into the rich history of the Jaeger-LeCoultre and Aston Martin partnership, tracing its origins back to the 1920s when Jaeger supplied dashboard instruments for Aston Martin racing cars. He then highlights the modern collaboration, which began in 2004 with the introduction of the AMVOX line, showcasing how JLC integrated automotive design cues into its timepieces.
... In 2004, when JLC became the official watch brand for Aston Martin - the same year the Vanquish was unveiled at the Paris Auto Show.
Ironically, this was not the first partnership between the two companies. After WWI ended, LeCoultre & Cie joined forces with Edmond Jaeger to manufacture dashboard instruments for cars and aircraft. In fact, the company became the main supplier of speedometers and counters for Aston Martin vehicles built in the late 1920’s and into the 1930’s. Aston’s “LM” was a regular winner of European races and all of the dashboard instruments were simply signed “Jaeger”. To be sure, Jaeger supplied speedometers to 95% of the manufacturers that raced their vehicles.
The first watch in the collection was based on Jaeger LeCoultre’s Memovox Edition, which is where the “AMVOX” name comes from. The original Memovox movement was Caliber 815. Because of the way the automatic winding mechanism worked, this was also the so-called “bumper movement”.
With a case made out of steel, titanium or platinum, the AMVOX 1 followed the traditional Memovox design, however the dial was redesigned to more resemble the dashboard of an Aston Martin vehicle. Likewise, the watch straps were made using the same leather materials and stitching styles found in the DB9 and Vanquish upholstery.
In keeping with Aston’s limited release of its vehicles, Jerome Lambert, who was the CEO of JLC at the time of the partnership, did the same by limiting the manufacturing of the AMVOX line of watches. Manufactured from 2004 to 2010, the AMVOX R-Alarm in titanium, for example, is limited to 500 pieces; the platinum version is limited to 150.
It is worth noting that these watches have crystals that go right to the edge of the case. There is really little or no bezel to speak of and several have described the look as "an infinity pool", defined as "giving the impression that it merges into its surrounding landscape". Yeah, that's about right - these bezel-less pieces are a marvel. For the curious, the crown at 2:00 is for adjusting and winding the alarm mechanism. The crown at 3:00 adjusts the inner-bezel ring, which I have been told is really a nod to the Polaris line of timepieces. The crown at 4:00 adjusts the time. Like other JLC's that do not have a "quickset" date feature, the wearer can effectively change the date by going past midnight to 2:00am, and then going backwards to 10:00pm, then forwards to 2:00am, etc. Yes, it's a pain, but it's better than having to do it the ol' fashioned way, one whole day at a time.
There are also some rarer, hard-to-find "boutique edition" pieces that do not fall into the standard millesimation details. Tough to find and highly recommended.
Amanico's AMVOX II Paris Boutique version in platinum is a perfect example. This one's a killer.
Stats:
AMVOX 1 – Alarm in Steel – REF 190.84.70
AMVOX R-Alarm in Titanium - Ltd to 500 Pieces – REF 191.T.97
AMVOX R-Alarm in Platinum – Ltd to 150 Pieces – REF 191.64.10
44mm Case w/JLC Caliber 918 (260 Parts, Including Suspended Gong)
Have A Great Weekend, Everyone. Happy Father's Day.
- Scott
The Amvox2 represents Jaeger LeCoultre's approach to contemporary sports timing, offered here in the Steel Black series configuration. This 44mm reference positions itself as a substantial automatic chronograph within the Amvox2 collection, distinguished by its monochromatic steel and black dial treatment.
The 44mm steel case houses an automatic movement and features a black dial beneath sapphire crystal protection. Water resistance extends to 100 meters, while a fixed bezel completes the case architecture. The steel construction and automatic movement provide the mechanical foundation for this chronograph reference.
This Steel Black series Amvox2 appeals to collectors seeking a modern Jaeger LeCoultre sports chronograph with substantial wrist presence. The 44mm case diameter and black dial configuration offer a contemporary alternative within the Amvox2 range, providing automatic chronograph functionality in a steel sports watch format. The combination of size, materials, and dial treatment positions this reference for collectors focused on modern Jaeger LeCoultre sports complications.
I have loved this watch since I first tried it on, 14 years ago this month at the manufacture. Too bad I never bought one! I wonder what happened to this sports coat? Cazalea
The Amvox saga vas uber cool. I miss them. Best, Nicolas
... Was arrested and locked up in The Smithsonian
... Do a short post for each iteration of the AMVOX line. What say you?
My favorite line of luxury timepieces . They are all outstanding to my eyes. Thank you so much for the excellent overview and related pictorial! Cheers, Filip
... I thought it was a special, boutique-only item.
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