Jaeger-LeCoultre

Dear Purists,

I'm happy to share with you some pictures of a beauty that recently landed on my wrist.

I had been looking for a vintage black memovox for quite a time (and, as you know, these beauties are not very common), but the recent review of Amanico on his "black beauty" reinvigorated the quest.

Lost in the nooks and crannies of the net, I found this one, an E855 original and perfect condition black dialed memovox, waiting for a good soul to take care of it. Thanks to the advice of a well-known JLC French expert (qu'il en soit remercié au passage), the deal was promptly made.

I would not repeat the words of Amanico whose extensive review is the best advertisement for this watch. I am just in absolute love with it.

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

Yin & Yang

It will join its twin / opposite mate, the E855 white dialed memovox (this one with the original Gay Frères steel bracelet) that also recently joined the memovox family I am trying to gather.

(sorry for the self-portrait and the big fat nails...)

 

By comparing the two plexis, it appears that the shape is different for the same reference. Could anyone help identifying which one is the original dome, and which one must have been changed at a latter stage ?

Hope you enjoyed the pictures. I'd now be ready to participate to a E855 black dialed roll call !

Regards

karmin

Absolutely briljant watch. Love the black dial. I need one of those black beauties. Great catch and needless to say: Enjoy!

Best,

Starman

Thx. Indeed a brilliant watch : nothing to add, neither superlative words on the dial, nor functions, or centimeters.

best

Both look great and awesome together!  That is really impressive that you found both colors.  I like the look of the bracelet on the white dial version.  So, what year(s) are they from? 

Congratulations on finding the black dial version.

respo

Thanks Respo for your words.

The Steel bracelet is from Gay Frères, and was produced for JLC. They also produced for other manufactures.

 

Re. the production year, I do not have exact tables for JLC (does anyone have them ?), but I'd say that the black one, with case number 996XXX, is from the first half of 60's and the white one, with nb 12XXXXX, from 66-67.

best,

karmin

 

very nice.

I wish I had your luck to find one with a black dial. I'd love to add one to my collection...

thanks for the beautiful pictures,

But the movement number, if you want to know the fabrication year of your JLC watch.

If you have it, let me know.

Best,

Nicolas

what size is it?
cheers

No message body

No message body

Just love the domed dials of the yester years. What a classic look! Never ages. Beautiful watch. Enjoy.
J.

Always nice to see and read someone enthusiasm.  You have a nice pair of tictok who do talk charmingly.

In looking at several other images, it seems to be that your white dial beauty has the more common crystal. This does not mean that the crystal on your other beauty is wrong maybe even the contrary!  I am sure that our Amanico will rapidly be of assistance.

Really nice pair of a beautiful model. The silver dial version reminds me painstakingly of a watch I should never have sold

I recognise the plexi of your silver dial version as the one my watch had, but I am unsure whether it had been replaced. (I think I actually prefer the plexi on your black beauty!)

Congrats and enjoy!

Nikolaj

...is beautiful but that black dial is seductive. Congratulations on finding such a watch.
N

Thks for sharing

No message body

I willl post some pics tomorrow, Karmin, about your plexy issue...

Best, my friend, and congrats for your Duo!

Nicolas

On this first Black Memo:



To me the plexy is wrong.

It is domed since the end of the bezel, and it is totally domed.

Even if very nice, it is not correct, AFAIK.

On this 2d Black Memovox:



The Plexy " starts " domed, then it is less domed, almost flat, like on your white Memovox

To me, it is the correct one.

Do you see what I mean?

You did well, by the way...

The funny thing is that I want to do the same, I mean, to add a white Memo E 855 to my black one.

And wanted to give the same Title to the post, too!



This is THE pair to do!

Best.

Nicolas

amanico,

thx for your reply and your information. I see what you mean for the crystals, and you must be right since the crystal on the black one is in very good condition: even polished, it's almost perfect, too perfect for a 40 years old watch.

I'll send you the movement numbers as soon as I find time to open the cases.

Interesting pair indeed : sorry that I stole your title ... and good luck for a white 855.

best

karmin

As I also have views on this one...

Which is also a E 855:



Aaah, these Memos...



no problem;, send me your movement numbers when you have time.

Best,

Nicolas

I like the mkV version of the 855 dial, with these typical fat index !

Have you added it to the collection already ?

But the hunt is part of the pleasure.

The one on the pic belongs to the Heritage Gallery Collection.

So I will have to wait before getting mine, but before the end of this year, I may add 1 or 2 important Vintage JLC...

Let's see if Luck is on my side...

Best,

Nicolas

I have one of these "mark V", although the dial and crystal is not in the best condition  (I could improve them a bit however I guess).

Again, no nice pictures at the moment (I am still away from most of my watces for the time being)

I just found this average wristshot of mine from a while back...

(and the bracelet is also something completely non original which I should replace with something more appropriate when I have a chance to do so)

 

Ebony indexes, but I have to check where I saw that...

In a Vintage Catalogue of course, but where did I put it???



Best,

Nicolas

Here is the page of the catalog with the mkV dial being referred to as 'ebony index'

 

If I remember correctly, the mk IV dial (with blackened index) has also index called 'ebony index).

So, that's why I call the mk V 'fat index', whereas I name the mk IV 'black rail'  (as the index have the shape of a railroad element, or an inverted 'T' with the upper part blackened)

The " MK IV " has also longer and thinner indexes, if I' m not wrong...

Will try to find a pic in my " messy " HD...



Best,

Nicolas

Here is the 855 mk IV dial, so also with ebony index

A bit more elegant, less rugged than the MK V, but both very interesting Memovoxes, indeed.

Tha nks for the share!

Best,

Nicolas

Hi Clavi,

what does MKV stand for ?

wrt your new 855, is it the famous"chiffre 12"? Looking forward to see the pictures.

best

karmin