Jaeger-LeCoultre

This is undisputably a watch which is worth seeing in the flesh than on pictures.

On pictures, it is so so, with its typical look from the 70ies, weird, but strong.

In real, this is another thing, in my opinion.

The watch is big, and thick, but with a lot of charm:





The strenght of the case is due to its very particulmar blend of curves and angles, as you can see here:





The bezel and the case are a bit shaped like a TV Screen.

Here, a close up on the signed crowns:



The dial, in this ruthenium / orange configuration, is very coherent with the watch.

The ruthenium gives a touch of class, when the orange part, surrounding the alarm ring adds some macho look, at least a very dynamic touch to the watch.





A macro on the dial, to show you how contrasted is this dial, and to enlighten the horizontal applied indexes, which are another interesting detail on this watch:



The case back is screwed, and protects the Cal 916.

The only round part of the watch, with the crowns, of course:



The Cal 916, which replaced the Cal 815 / 825 in 1969, featuring a full rotor.

It beats at 28 800 vibrations per hour, which offers accuracy to the watch, with a standard power reserve of 45 hours.

Let's not forget that the 916 is an important movement, for JLC, which was in production for almost 10 years, and which was a great base for its " son ", the Cal 918 found in the Master Compressor Memovox, in 2002.





Not a refined movement, but it doeas the job in an excellent way:



Let's end by saying that this reference was produced for 8 years, from 1970 to 1978, at 4940 pieces, all dial variations included.

In my opinion, not the ifrst Memovox to get, for who wants to start a Memovox collection, but certainly not a Memovox to avoid, as it is a funny one, and as it is typical from a certain era.

Best,

Nicolas

This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-11-01 01:19:55

Hi Nicolas,

You never cease to amaze us. I didn't know that one.

It is indeed quite tempting.

When are you opening the museum?

Cheers

Dje

I had something in mind for the E 871, but I will post that a bit later.

Tempting, yes, but most of all, surprising, as I didn't have it in mind, nor in my short list, before I was offered it.



As for the Museum, we laready have someone, and it is not me!



Best, my friend.

Nicolas

Here it is in the other available colour scheme:

 

And a complete one, as a Museum Director must have!



Best,

Nicolas

The E871 has also many similarities with its very close relative, the FL memoraider:

I'm begininning to have a very strong interest in F.L watches.

Original, and sometimes very nice, such as the Bivouac, or the Depthmeter they made in the 60ies, Batyscaphe, or something like that.

These are watches you don't see at every corner.

Best,

Nicolas

The Memoraider is 95% a pure JLC Memovox.
The remaining 5% not JLC in it being...
...the name on the dial !

 inside the Memoraider  (I guess this will be somehow familiar ! )

(picture courtesy of Koleksi Jam Maximus from Jakarta, found on the web)

 

Well, the 5 per cent also include the different name on the rotor.



Best,

Nicolas.

Is the first word that comes to my mind! I love the grey/orange colour combo for a fresh look. I agree fully with your "not the first memovox to get, but certainly not one to avoid"!

Cool how the case shape between the lugs reflect the shape of the JL logo:

 

Thanks for showing off

That is an excellent way to describe this Memovox.

For sure not the most photogenic, but not the less pleasant companion....

Thanks for giving us your input, my friend.

Best,

Nicolas

I like a number of details on this one:

• the horizontal indices
• the balance of the logo across from the date window
• the orange details (nice pairing with the strap you choose, Vlad!)
• the angle of the crowns against the TV-shaped case

Interesting how the blue and white version looks so different to me than teh organe version, perhaps because it is also on a bracelet as Clavi posted it below.  I like it on the bracelet very much.

So, on the wrist does this watch have the presence of, say, a modern Squadra?  It looks like it does from the photos, but obviously it is hard to tell.

Thanks again for a nice introduction to this memo.

respo

 

I believe this reference 871 was always sold with the bracelet  (some have obviously lost it since, after 40 years...)

Even with the steel bracelet, the watch feels rather massive in terms of weight on the wrist compared to the other more classical round memovoxes such as the 875. But in terms of volume or "presence" as some say, they are still very 'wearable' due to the short lugs (if we can speek of lugshere as they are really part of the case) which make the watch look like of a relatively standard format (i.e. not XL in size compared to most contemporary timepieces).

the Funky:

 

 

 

the Classic:

 

 

They are both beautiful!

 

 

I saw a black dialled E 871 on the web…

 

But that one didn’t really look OK – maybe repainted..?

 

Question 1;

 

Do you know if there ever was any black dialled E 871?

 

Question 2;

 

In your second pic, the silver/blue version the hour hand looks to have “rounded” tip. Is it an optical illusion?

 

Or has it been replaced?

 

Or where there several different versions of hands on the E 871 originally (not the baton hands like on mine and Nicolas)?

 

I would be grateful any info!

 

TIA.

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

There are only 2 dial versions of the 871: silver/blue and anthracite/orange.
I have also seen the 'black' one you refer to, but it is not correct (bad redial).

The hands are of the straight type ('bâtons'), so what you see in the pictures above must be an optical illusion  (or a very bad picture from me ! )

Thank you very much for the info.

 

Very helpful!

 

I thought the black dial looked strange.

 

OK, then it must be an optical illusion, because there is no wrong with your photo.

 

It is difficult to get to know these old ladies…

 

They are very shy, hard to find any info about them.

 

Again, thank you!

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

All these details make it such a special watch.

As for the wearbility, compared to the Squadra, this one is much easier, my friend.

Well, at least on my average sized wrist.

Compared to the E 855, or to another monster I recently had the pleasure ( or should I say the nightmare... ) to see in the flesh, the Ref E 858, the 871 is a word apart, a Macho one, in my opinion.

But both are interesting, and give you a lot of pleasure.

Best,

Nicolas

A very interesting Memovox indeed!

Best regards,

Baxter

... these two color on the dial gives a perfect contrast and stands out very nicely.

ha ha, Nico, this Memo TV is absent from my Memo collection a the movement, must get one to home... one day!

still have two months to go to end of the year, wish Santa could be sending gifts to my door this Xmas... LOL.

by the way, i think i got too many for this year, i think my quota seems reached (that was a reminded given by wife ). i think i need to control somehow because MJLC will be giving us double surprises very soon.

well, i just realized that i have a close brother to your E871, my one is E872...

stefan

Clavi!



There are indeed so many interesting watches, my friend.

I decided I still had to get 5 or 6 before stating, in an official way, that I closed my Memovox Collection.



I also think that your wife is of some wise advice, and that you should wait a bit to see what JLC will offer next year, which is ... well... very soon.

Best, my friend.

Nicolas

I was telling Stefan last week, I was gonna shop for some classic JLCs, but due to change of plans for the weekend, I did not get to....BUT I M GOING TO NOW. Nicolas - you are in the words of late Michael Jackson - BAD!!!

Love the 70's looks to this one

Blomman posted a pic of one similar awhile back that’s been driving me crazy and now with your pix I’m convinced that I must get have one.

Best

Drew

 

You have to get one...



Wait a bit, I will post in a very few weeks a funny post about this watch and others from the 70ies.

You will see some funny associations.

Best,

Nicolas

 

  this memovox is somehow funky... lets say suits my vision if a funky yet ELEGANT memovox ...Nicolas Thank you again ...  i always enjoy your posts my freind .

 Faisal

Yep, Funky can also be elegant... The ruthenium dial contributes a lot to this.

Best,

Nicolas

Your E 871 is in stunning condition!

 

Yes, it’s a really cool and funky Memo.

 

But what surprised me the most with the E 871 is how comfortable it is on the wrist!

 

Honestly, even if all these funky Memos looks a little bit odd they sit very nice on the wrist!

 

Nicolas, thank you for showing us another of your great finds!

 

 

Best, my friend

 

Blomman

But once seen on the flesh, this is a different story.

From " No way ", you finally go to " Why not ".



And yes, even if big and thick, they all have a nice presence and surprising comfort.

Here, I have the E 871, the Snowdrop, the Polaris II in mind.

Best, my friend, and, as always, thanks for your input!

Nicolas.

The Snowdrop and Polaris II…

 

Ah…

 

 

Still on my wish list!

 

 

One day, my friend, one day…

 

 

Best

 

Blomman