Collection
Blomman Mr Blue, a respected collector, shares an in-depth look at his Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox E 875 Speed Beat collection. This post offers a unique comparative study of the E 875's various dial configurations and case back designs, highlighting the subtle yet significant differences that define each variant. His detailed observations provide valuable insights for both seasoned collectors and those new to the iconic Memovox line.
I have started to share some boxes with you here in the JLC forum…
Let’s continue with the Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox E 875 Speed Beat.
The players: White, With and Blue, Blue and Blue turned into copper
AFAIK, the E 875 only came in three colour combinations, White-White, With-outer Blue-inner and Blue-Blue.
I have seen some Blue-outer with White-inner dial but not very confident that combination ever existed originally.
Except for the different dial colours, there were at least three different case backs.
Plain, plain with a circle and the most famous with the JL logo and the Speed Beat engraving.
Speed Beat referring to the new Cal 916 movement which have the higher 28.800 beats per hour compared to earlier Memovox with the Cal 825, 18.000 beats per hour.
Each dial colour has a very different character…
The White-White make the watch look more classic, IMO.
White-Blue is more playful…
Blue-Blue, well, blue is blue, blue is the colour of love!
And the discoloured dial is a perfect example of when patina adds another dimension to a watch!
Original Blue-Blue but changed into copper.
What can I say more than…. It’s fun to play with boxes!
Best
Blomman
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox E875 represents a significant evolution within the brand's alarm watch lineage, succeeding earlier manual-wind Memovox models with the introduction of an automatic winding caliber. This reference is part of a series that established the Memovox as a practical and technically advanced timepiece for daily wear, integrating the convenience of self-winding with the signature mechanical alarm function.
Typically housed in a stainless steel or gold case, the E875 features a distinctive twin-crown design, with one crown for time setting and manual winding, and the other for setting and winding the alarm mechanism. It is powered by an automatic movement, often the Caliber 916, which provides both timekeeping and the hammer-and-gong alarm. Case dimensions vary slightly across production, but generally maintain a balanced profile suitable for its era.
For collectors, the Memovox E875 is valued for its blend of vintage aesthetics and functional innovation. It marks a pivotal point in the Memovox history, being one of the first automatic alarm watches from Jaeger-LeCoultre. Its robust movement and classic design ensure its continued relevance and appeal within the vintage watch market.
each one has a distinct personality.
Excellent post..... tempting watches with such personality
and what an amazing group this is. Even the boxes! Thanks for sharing.
Reallly hard to find one in good shape, so I congratulate you to have been able to collect 4 with boxes.
What's not to like - just glorious! Blue is wonderful, but how it morphs over time and having the two to compare is rather special. Cheers JML
Very different in character. Thank you, Captain! Best Blomman
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