Jaeger-LeCoultre

There was an incredible variety of Memovoxes, from the very early '50ies to the end of the 70ies...

Numbers speak for themselves:

Around 100 000 pieces were made ( !!! ) in more than 20 different references, using 6 Calibers!

Here I will speak of one of the most rare of them, the black dialed ref E 855.

If we can say that the ref E 855 is one of the most produced Memovox ( around 50 000 pieces for this only ref, in SS, Yellow or Rose Gold ), the Black Memovox E 855 is certainly one of the rarest, and one of the most beautiful.

For your interest, here are the production numbers which were given to me by Courtesy of JLC:

- 43825 in SS.

- 4707 in YG.

- 321 in RG.

But I don't have any number for SS Memovox Black Dial.



Here, a very nice model with white writings, but with 2 problems:

Aftermarket crowns, and weird luminous hands.

If the hands are correct, the tritium is triangular, which doesn't seem correct, as it has to be rectangular, as you will see on MY Black Memovox.

1/ This watch is an icon, for me.

And, as we speak of icons, here are 2 together...







I can't resist to the temptation ot add a 4th pic...



An Icon with 2 other Icons...

As the Reverso and the Polaris, this Black Memovox is a timeless piece...

Can you only imagine that this piece is a bit more than 40 years old???

I rather have the feeling that it is a piece that was produced nowadays, that only the tritium round indexes and hands allow to locate it earlier in time...

2/ It is a very elegant, pure and classy time piece.

These proportions are perfect...

A 37mm Case, quite thin, with some nice round volumes due to the plexy.

Look at this pure, perfectly balanced watch!





The very thin and curved lugs, the discrete crowns, which perfectly integrate the case, all these small details contribute to make of this watch a perfect one, in an awesome homogeneity.

And what to say abotu the dial, which makes all the difference with all the other Memovoxes, IMO ?

The words which immediately come to mind are Strenght, Balance, Distinction, Geometry.

Have a look at it, and you'll see a perfect integration of round and " lines " indexes, a rectangular Date Window, triangular Alarm Symbol and hands, all, once again, in a perfect harmony, which is not that easy when you mix all these geometrical features together...







Now, look at another great and fine detail of these watch: The Golden Writings ( Gilt for the Rolex Guys! LOL ), and you' ll see that the refinement is at the top!









These Gilt Writings match so well with the golden patina of the tritium, how to say it, like " echoing " to the patina of the small pearls of luminous material.

The refinement is also in the way JLC treated the case and case back, with Polished and Brushed parts...



Not very easy to see on the following pic, BUT the brushed parts are on the side of the case and lugs, while the polished parts are on the top of the case and lugs.





3/ A reliable movement, the Cal 825.

You all know it, this is the one housed in the Legendary Polaris, and in all the E 855 Memovoxes ( the Polaris is also a Memovox, although )...



This is a 17 Jewels Automatic winding movement, beating at 18 000 vibrations per hour, with the following functions:

Hour,

Minutes,

Central Seconds,

Date,

Alarm.

It is Shock Protected and Anti Magnetic,

Here a Technical draw of the Cal 815 which is the same than the Cal 825, but without the Date:



The Accuracy of this movement is astonishing...: 1 to 2 sec per day, on my Memovox !

The 2 Daughters...



4/ On the Wrist, this is one of those watches that makes you litteraly shivering of pleasure.



Indeed, the size doesn't matter when you approach the perfection in this way...

Another time, Presence, Distinction, and surprisingly, a watch whoch is easy to wear, with Casual or Dressy Clothes.

The light weight makes you forget that you wear a watch, but the fine and pleasant " Clong " of the Bumper makes you remember its presence!

Yes, defintely, to me, this Memovox, or should I say THESE Memovoxes, are to JLC what Calatravas are to Patek, A Cult, Icon Watch!



A Calatrava...With an Alarm!

And to give an end to this post, its daughter, the black Memovox from the 90ies, which I hunt, too, to complete my Collection:



Hope you liked it!

Best.

Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2008-12-23 00:29:03 This message has been edited by Dje on 2008-12-27 01:36:00

This is one good dissertation of an iconic watch.    Love these memovox. 

Alarm is one of the most practical complication and the memovox is almost synonymus with alarm wristwatches.

You have never cease to amaze me with your wonderful JLC collection.  Your love for this watch is clearly shown in the great condition this 40+ years old watch is in.

I have a memovox but it's from the 90's with a display back.  Comparing it with the earlier version, I can see where the design lineage comes from.

Thanks for sharing this with us.  Wear it in good health.

W72

 

I would love to see it.

Feel free to post pics.

Iconic Watches, the Memovox?

Clearly ..YES.

This one was a difficult one to find, as I always wanted one, but in very good condition.

A timeless piece, which is always not very far from me.

Thanks for your input and your nice words, Watch 72.

Best.

Nicolas

a Black Beauty, indeed!  Good luck in adding the missing piece(s) to your collection.  And thanks for the education about a very intriguing member of the JLC family.

tempusfugit

One day, I will have to do a post with all the Black Memovoxes, it will certainly be impressive, as this one is the first one, and the Tribute to the Polaris is the last...

Quite 50 years of Black Memovoxes...A True Story.

Best, Tempusfugit.

Nicolas

Are these Memovox's yours mon ami? It'S truly amazing that you have such a huge collection that ranges from the most modern, to the most antique!

I wish i could have such a collection, but well finances doesnt allow such things!

Merci,

Stephen

The 90ies black Memovox...

To be really complete, I also miss the European Model of the Deep Sea Alarm and the US Model of the Polaris '65 ( which are both Memovoxes ), and also the E 877, the famous Snowdrop...

This is really a Huge Family.

But the hunt goes on...

Best.

Nicolas

thanks Nic again, your report is very detailed and informative, learnt a great deal from it.

stefan

 for sharing this wonderful report of such a beautiful watch with us.

A large and instructive work as always, Nicolas.

I must say that these vintage Memovoxes are a true reflection of a nice and beautiful use of the basic architectural shapes (circle, square and triangle).

Viewed from this "artistic or architectural" point of view, the Memovoxes these are true Works of Art in which it has come together a visual harmony of great size.

The circle, "mother" of all the shapes, is a major element visually (a bit "heavy", visually speaking), so it is highly recommended not to overload one area with them (the case and the crowns are round, and the dial inside the alarm too).

The rupture of this "heavy" effect is broked with the use of an equilateral triangle for the indication of the alarm hour. The equilateral triangle indicates directionality, so nothing more suitable for the indication of the alarm. And the hands (hours, minutes and seconds) are triangular too, so are also perfects for elements which are in movement always.

The square is the figure most stable of all, and the most compatible, having been used wisely in the indication of the date (a element which has a bit movement). The hour indicators are square too (rectangular, indeed, but square at the end of all), so are a great choice for this indications, for a stable watch, visually speaking.

Geometric shapes which symbolize the movement from a center recreate the universe and help to find the balance. So, IMO, these Memovoxes are really balanced watches, and a great work made with the basic geometrical shapes. I see this watch, and all in it is Harmony.

If all is "combo" with a JLC´s work and a JLC´s movement.... what more can you need and what more can you want???.

A great watch, my friend, an Architectonic Watch.... a really Work of Art.

Best.

Emilio.

 

Yep, this blend of geometrical figures is really awesome.

While it is quite risky to blend all these figures, JLC did it in a very balanced way.

You should add one in your amazing collection, Emilio.

Best.

Nicolas

2009 is a good year and if allows me to add more interesting watches in my little collection.

But I think I will have to go a little slower with my purchases ... I don´t like too much the current economic situation.

These Memovoxes are really beautiful watches, and I´d be very happy having one. Let´s see, my friend....

Thanks for your kind words Nicolas.

Best.

Emilio.

No message body

what a nice classic design for this great timepiece.

I really love the purity of the dial and the Dauphine hands.

I don't know if I prefer the silver or the back dial for this watch, they are both amazing.

Thanks for the great post !

     Cheers

             Jeff

Both silver and black dials are amazing, really.

I will certainly get a silver one, too.

But I'm biased, as I'm totally crazy about Memovoxes.

Stay Tuned, I took some pics of a nice silver one I will post shortly.

Best.

Nicolas

No message body

...Nicolas for an interesting and educational post. I have my eye on a 70's Memovox,
albeit a white faced beauty and this post has certainly increased my desire to own it.
N. 

As I said, if someone wants to get the essence of JLC History, the shorter way is to go on a Reverso and a ..Memovox.

A superb watch with a Friendly complication.

What more to ask???

Best.

Nicolas

can't wait too see your final review off all watches at once ..... once your diver-collection is complete !!!! LOL

Cheerzzzzz,

El bimbo

I stillhave to run after one, or 3 Vintage JLC Divers...watches, of course.

But the Hunt is a big part of the Pleasure.

Best, my good friend.

Nicolas

another brilliant piece
very nice pictures !

Stay Tuned, if you're a Memovox Lover, I will post something else for you.

Best.

Nicolas

Thks for sharing

For you continue to add wonderful content as moderator.  If only there were more mods like you...

 

Cheers

Gaz

Here, on our PPRO Fora, all the Moderators do their best to share with everybody their Passion.

That's what makes this site so pleasant.

Thanks for your nice words, my friend.

Nicolas

Hi Nicolas,

As always thank you very much for the review.

AS I saw the black beauty in the flesh I can really appreciate it.

A+

Bill

Show us yours, my friend.

You didn't choose the ugliest, indeeed.

Best.

Nicolas

I really think the black dial gives it a touch of class.

Fr.Xavier