My second JLC: 2005 AMVOX1-Alarm Titanium

Jan 30, 2015,12:08 PM
 

Last year I bought a pretty special watch. A grail even: My first Jaeger-LeCoultre, a Reverso Duo. I love that watch and enjoy wearing it whenever the day is right. It had a serious malfunction shortly after purchase (new) but Jaeger-LeCoultre took care of that and now it's perfect once again. My Duo is a reminder of the culmination of a great year!


I planned to celebrate another successful year by buying another special watch this month. Since I already had a Jaeger-LeCoultre, I spent months thinking about what I'd love to have. I'm into the technology of watches, especially well-executed complications, appreciate a clean design, and love historic brands and models. I spent some time looking for the right Blancpain Fifty Fathoms or Lange 1 and came very close to buying an Arnold & Son HM Perpetual Moon or a Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec but none of these were right. The Arnold was especially disappointing once I got my hands on it in person.

I just couldn't find another watch that I was really into, and I kept coming back to Jaeger-LeCoultre. I love the new Geomatic (sorry, "Geophysic") in person, and almost bought one of those, but it wasn't exactly perfect. I really wanted a clever complication, but I just can't afford JLC's king of complications, the Duomètre.

I've always loved the Memovox. The Reveil is such a charming complication and so well executed in the Memovox. I've looked at dozens of vintage models and considered a new one, in steel, too. But I've got lots of dress watches. My only real sports watches are a Seiko "Navitimer" and an Orient Ray. Thus the Blancpain I mentioned above... And wouldn't it be cool to have a real limited series watch with some special case material?

Then I found it. It's classy yet sporty, limited and really special, classic yet modern, and complicated yet clean. And it's another Jaeger-LeCoultre!





Behold the object of my affection: The Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX 1-Alarm Titanium!

It pushes all my buttons. Who doesn't love the classic Jaeger-LeCoultre models like the Memovox and Polaris? This hearkens back to both of them, with some modern Master Control thrown in, too. Although it's now 10 years old (hard to believe!) it still looks modern.

Looks-wise, it's got everything! Plus, the titanium case, ruthenium number track, and subtle brown band give it some serious depth even though it looks all grey at a glance. Look close and you'll see many different textures, levels, and details. And it's got a modern, reliable movement and isn't so expensive or dressy that it can't be worn any old day.

I was concerned about the size - 42 mm is large in my book - but it wears smaller. It's lighter than it would seem thanks to the titanium case and the super short, curved lugs mean it fits on my slimmer wrist. Lug-to-lug, it's actually just a bit larger than my tiny Reverso Duo!



I'm just thrilled with this piece. I was shocked when I spotted it among the vintage watches in the window of a little shop in Como, Italy. They came down a bit on the price and I took it home for easily 50% of its current resale value. It came "unused with box and papers" allegedly, but the box is from an AMVOX 1 R-Alarm not this non-R model and the light scratches show some wear. Still a very good deal, though!



I'm especially excited that it has the original Bridge of Weir leather strap in worn-but-good condition. Most similar models have lost theirs, and it's really lovely! I've contacted my Jaeger-LeCoultre salesperson about procuring a replacement so I can preserve this one, and I'm also working on an appropriate Camille Fournet facsimile for daily wear. I hate to separate it from its original parts, but I want to preserve the original.

So that's my 2015 grail. I'm loving it so far! I think our moderator will agree - I believe you have one just like it, right Amanico?

PS: I cheated last year and splurged on a Nomos Tangomat GMT, too. I also bought a dozen other fun watches. Don't tell anyone!
This message has been edited by sfoskett on 2015-01-30 12:43:10


More posts: Amvox1 AlarmGeophysicHomage to Nicolas Rieussec Lange 1MemovoxNicolas Rieussec Chronograph AutomaticNicolas Rieussec CollectionNomosReverso Duo

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Sincere Congratulations !.. The Amvox-1 is a real keeper.. One can dress it "down" or "up"

 
 By: hs111 : January 30th, 2015-13:17
.. +1 on your statements: a watch for all seasons ! Wear her in the Best of your health ! ~br> Best & HAGWE ! hs

Your 2015 grail ~ already!?

 
 By: masterspiece : January 30th, 2015-13:39
So, there is no other grail for 2015? LOL Well, I hope you're right. But, I guess you didn't say you won't be buying "other" watches for the next 11 months. :-) BTW, I won't tell :-) Aloha, Bob

It's a reward

 
 By: sfoskett : January 30th, 2015-13:44
I like to make a major watch buy at the beginning of the year to celebrate the previous year. Or something like that. :-) But I have a feeling this isn't my only watch buy in 2015. In fact I have two others in the mail from Japan as we speak! So much for ... 

Oooooooh! Japan?

 
 By: masterspiece : January 30th, 2015-19:35
Curious to know which. Grand Seikos perhaps? Or a Chopard with Urushi? How fun! Looking forward to some pics. Aloha, Bob

This just arrived

 
 By: sfoskett : January 31st, 2015-11:43
In today's mail from Chino Watch Japan... It's Seiko's homage to their own 1980's Giugiaro "Aliens" chronographs. This is the SCED017 Spirit Giugiaro. ...  

Now this is funny! [nt]

 
 By: sfoskett : January 31st, 2015-12:27

Bravo! Now that is a watch.

 
 By: amanico : January 30th, 2015-15:06
The first Amvox, the first of a short series, in fact, which announced some promising and exciting products, such as the Amvox II, which came one year later. With it, you strike different chords. The Amvox, yes, of course, but also a modern evocation of t... 

Congratulation!

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : January 31st, 2015-03:10
The AMVOX I is a great watch! :) Best Blomman

Congratulations...

 
 By: Master75 : February 1st, 2015-11:11
...now, what will be the next...JLC?

I intend to buy another brand...

 
 By: sfoskett : February 2nd, 2015-14:13
...therefore I will probably end up with yet another JLC!

Excellent choice!

 
 By: moonway : February 2nd, 2015-06:57
Cheers from a fellow owner of the AmVox1 and Duo. What a great pair of watches.