Jaeger-LeCoultre

Just fitted new JLC strap and buckle to my old Memovox, what do you think? Waiting to add a Reverso Grande Taille to my small collection. Sorry about the dodgy scans!!

Cheers
David

This message has been edited by Dje on 2007-07-03 10:28:39 This message has been edited by Dje on 2007-07-03 10:29:28

I love this vintage memovox...
Congrats!
Nicolas

Not exactly same, but similar combo here.
(I still need to put these original crowns that the watch is missing though)



I too love the memovox 855  (though I am currently wearing the more modern 875 as I am typing this message)



(now, that is really a lousy scan)

These Memovox are indeed true treasures!
Congrats too.

It is due a service and am considering sending to Le Sentier. Any advice you can offer here Clavi?

The service of the watch at the manufacture, which is excellent, will cost you very close to the market value of the watch itself.
Excellent service, but astronomic price (maybe understandable due to their cost structure, but still astronomic).
On the other hand, finding a skilled / experienced watchmaker who can service these at reasonable cost AND happens to have spare parts in case something goes wrong will be quite hard (I don't know British watchmakers so cannot recommend any).

Therefore, the equation is:
1) if you know such a  watchmaker that you trust, go for it
2) if you don't, want the best service and are prepared to spend big £££, go for le Sentier
3) if none of the 2 above, as your watch is looking perfectly fine and if it is running correctly, don't service it.
The only risk is that the watch 'might' wear a bit in time  (long time...) and might eventually stop and really need fixing at some point. then, it will be time ot go for number 2)

I would personally only use JLC le sentier service either if the watch is a very special one (a very rare / valuable JLC, or one which means a lot to me) or if the watch is definitively broken and needs parts to be fixed.
In the end, cost of fixing a broken watch  in le Sentier is close to equal to cost of servicing a perfectly running watch, and in both cases watch is returned in mint condition.
Therefore I'd better send the watch when it really needs to and not for a 'preventive maintenance' (they will change the critical parts anyway, be the watch broken or not, and cost will be the same)

I sent my memovox to Le Sentier one year ago. I had considered that this watch and the 825 caliber were worth being serviced by JLC with the guarantee that all parts are available. I have no regrets, the service has been just great. The case was polished with care and all spare parts were sent back. Deadline was as expected: a little more than 2 months for the service. Concerning its cost, it would have been more expensive with Audemars Piguet ;-)

Some pics just after the service:






Regards,

Hi Marv.

Great work.
That confirms what I said on the excellent quality of service at le Sentier - and on the corresponding price as well !

I am interested to know if your watch had this superb, mint dial before service, or if you had replacement during service ?

That is also a case when I would consider the Manufacture service if I had a JLC with a pretty bad dial, as there is no dial refinishing that I am aware of that can come close enough to the real deal, and original dials are of course impossible to source.

Definitely a great looking memovox. Looks as new from the box

Hi Clavi,

I appreciate all the more your enthusiasm that you (and your posts) have contributed to raise my interest in the memovox! Concerning the dial, it was already there before the service. A nice original dial was one of my key criteria during my quest for this watch. Unfortunately, the case was not in the same good shape with lots of scratches, especially in the back. Most of them have disappeared with the service, but few remain visible... a testimony of the age of the watch.

-------
Marv

-Dean

Your Memovox is stunning. Did they do any re-finishing to the dial/hands - the watch looks brand new! If they come back looking that good, I'm seriously considering going to MJLC. Thanks to everybody who has responded, your comments are both interesting and informative and gentlemen - you have excellent taste in watches.

Kind Regards
David

Yes Nicolas, great watches, reliable and very wearable in modern days. These 855 are usually my daily watches.
However, these days I am wearing the slightly more recent (though stil very vintage) 875, with its fancy dark blue dial

Do you have more pics to post about this Memovox?
Thanbks in Advnace.
Nicolas

I don't have any good pictures of the E 85 since I got it relatively recently (at least after the last time I took the camera to take pictures of watches), therefore the only 2 pictures I have are the poor wristshot above, and this other poor blurrshot, below, both taken with a phone...



However, I have these two excellent shots of the exact similar watch, which were stored on my computer and have 'inspired' me for the acquisition of mine.

Unfortunately, I have no idea anymore of who the owner / photograph was, so if he reads this, I would like to appologise for borrowing his picture without proper credit.
Anyway, I think these pictures deserve to be shown...

Even if you borrowed them!LOL
Very nice watch with an original location of the JLC Symblo at 9.Is this the only Memovaox with this original location?

Actually the memovox 871  (here on the left) was the first to present this unusual JL location, before the 875.
They are I believe the only 2 memovoxes with this unusual JL at 9'.

I new I could rely on you for advice on vintage memovox. My watch is running ok, but loses around 4-5 minutes in 24 hours. That doesn't bother me that much, but it would be nice to be running a little more accurately. Apart from that the watch is in great condition and I wear it regularly for both dress and casual - it truly is very wearable and versatile.

Nice collection, by the way.


Cheers
David

nt

Having read this thread yesterday there must be no doubt what’s on my wrist today – though my E855 is only SS.

Congrats to all of you who managed to get their hands on an 18k one. I know that it is difficult because Clavi tries to amass them allJ!

By the way: does anyone know the production figures of the E855 with Cal. 825?
Cal. 825 is said to have been produce about in 67.000 units. Most of them will have gone into the E855 I guess.

Cheers

Christian

Christian, but I am sure Clavi will have an idea - our resident vintage memovox expert!! I'm wearing my 855 today - it's a lovely watch.

Cheers
David