Jaeger-LeCoultre

Hello Vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre Lovers,

 

I am back after a superb but heartbreaking couple of days in Paris…

 

Paris – the city of light, the city of love.

 

And indeed I fell in love…

 

Even if no girl involved, I lost my heart to all the beautiful watches I was shown!

 

A mind numbing experience!

 

But I think I have figured out where Vlad hides, I have found his lair!

 

 

Notre Dame Cathedral

 

 

Just surprised not to see his face on any of the Gargoyles…

 

 

 

There has always been a strong connection between France/Paris and Jaeger-LeCoultre.

 

You can see traces of this in their old ads…

 

Jaeger-LeCoultre French ad, 1949.

 

Blomman translation, English photo, 2011.

 

OK, since Nicolas has “outed” my Ref 3161 Memovox Parking in Gold…

 

Here she is:

 

 

A small beauty I been hiding under my sleeve for some time now…

 

As a part of the Jubilé Collection I find this small manual memovox very interesting.

 

And even today still very current in style!

 

Today, over 50 years later the symbol for parking is the same and even use the same colour.

 

 

The Memovox Parking looks very much the same as any other memovox except for the Parking-P?

 

In general, yes – but IMO, in detail, no.

 

 

To start with, the proportions between the dial and the alarm disk are not the same as on most memos.

 

The alarm disk is much larger then usual and the indexes are shorter and wider.

 

This makes the Parking dial look bigger and cleaner.

 

The 12/3/6/9 configuration with lack of JLC logo and date makes the dial much more harmonised, IMO.

 

 

As Nicolas mentioned earlier, the detail of the 3 versus 4 bars on the alarm marks.

 

In documents I noticed two different versions:

 

- 3 bars and single luminous dot at 12

 

Jaeger-LeCoultre French catalogue, 1958.

 

- 4 bars with double dots at 12.

 

Jaeger-LeCoultre French catalogue, 1960.

 

My SS version lacks the two dots, so here is a borrowed photo.

 

See the one to the left.

 

Pic credit, Nicolas.

 

AFAIK, this is the only vintage memovox with three bars instead of four.

 

I wonder why? Do anyone know another vintage memo with 3 bars?

 

3 bars good for alarm, 1 bar=75 seconds (alarm=15 minutes).

 

4 bars good for time reading, 1 bar=1 minute (alarm=12,5 minutes).

 

As the watch lacks minute indications it’s very strange with the 3 bars configuration.

 

Another version is the one that Stefan has on his Gubelin Parking.

 

4 bars with one dot at 12.

 

Pic credit, Stefan.

 

Note that between 11 and 12 – and between 12 and 1 there is only 3 bars.

 

IMO, the Parking is a very fun watch with a lot of charm!

 

 

 

What a crazy idée, a watch specially made for remember when your parking hours will expire..!

 

 

You better put some more coins in the meter before it’s too late!

 

 

Jaeger-LeCoultre ad, 1958.

 

Note the bottom right: Known in the U.S. as LeCoultre.

 

And as always these modest JLC slogans – “ALWAYS ONE STEP AHEAD IN STYLING AND ENGINEERING” !

 

 

As we know JLC did not sign their crowns at this point.

 

 

The Parking has no signed crowns, neither has the Geophysic.

 

But just a couple of years later they started to sign the crowns, for example on the Geomatic.

 

But how was it with the buckle?

 

The Gold Ref 3161 had the original strap when I found her.

 

 

The buckle is unsigned but I believe it to be the original one.

 

 

Does anyone know when JLC started to sign their buckles?

 

 

Hope you will not get any parking tickets this summer!

 

 

 

Thank you for reading Part #5 of this Vintage Ads Series.

 

Hope you enjoyed!

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

 

Vintage Ads: The Series – Intro!

 

Vintage Ads: The Series – Part #1 Futurematic

 

Vintage Ads: The Series – Part #2 Memovox Pocket Alarms

 

Vintage Ads: The Series – Part #3 Electronic

 

Vintage Ads: The Series – Part #4 The Planet-Sphere

This message has been edited by blomman on 2011-07-11 15:36:07

Great topic, great post. Thanks for the effort.

The Jubilé topic is always nice to revisit!

 

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

Blomman

Great post of a great series. Good thing, to track parking time (they didn't know an iPhone!).
Thanks for the pics from Paris. I'm planing to be there in October.

The SS model is outstanding (I'm not a gold person).

Keep posting. You may end up with a full book!
I'm waiting you to enter the 70's. Funky times.

Congratulations, again.

To go, Nilo?

 

You will loose yourself – as I did and my commute is fairly modest compared to yours…

 

 

Thank you!

 

The Funky 70’s – soon my friend…

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

No message body

No message body

Noticed in the JLC add. 1958, the watch pictured also has 3 bars. Like you said good for setting alarm but bad for tracking the minutes. For such a watch maybe they reckoned the alarm is the priority.

Many thanks for such an interesting & well put together post.   And more of what transpired in gay Paris?

Best

fernando

Maybe you had a chance too choose?

 

It would be interesting to know – maybe it’s just a mistake?!

 

Someone forgot and made only 3 bars in one of the “moulds”?

 

Thank you, Fernando!

 

As always a lot to see in Paris, more on that later…

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

It's amazing how you showed the Parking sign same as the
P on the watch.
Thanks for sharing

Ed

Many things changes over the years…

 

In Sweden all the pharmacy signs have been changed into several different during the last year after I don’t know how many years with the same symbol.

 

Now it’s hard to find a pharmacy because of this…

 

But at least the Parking symbol remains the same!

 

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

A watch I love a lot for its funny character, enhanced by some funny ads, too, featuring a policeman giving a fine.

I also appreciate its case, which is basically the same than a 3159, ( or the E 858, which is different, but very appealing, too ) and the dial, surrounding the alarm disk.

And let's not forget another reason, the fact that it belonged to the " Jubilé Collection "!

One of the many interesting sides of the Vintage JLC world, definitely.

Superb pictures, Blomman, it is obvious that you like Paris.

As for the gargoyles, you didn't pay attention, but I am still there: The 4th on the right.



Best,

Vlad.

Yes a very lovable watch!

 

As for Paris – I don’t like Paris, I LOVE Paris!

 

 

Thank you, my friend!

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

add 15-minute lines (subtley) on the alarm disc so that you can do any count-down, whether it be 30 minutes or 5 hours and 30 minutes. This would be a very practical addition, and, if done right, wouldn't "clutter" the dial.

-Dean

Why nnot an 8 Days Count Down Alarm?



Best,

Nicolas.

however, an 8-day manual wind would be nice...with a gong that is laser-welded to the sapphire crysal (the next logical development) for unparalleled volume and clarity. Am I asking too much?

-Dean

Hope JLC hears you, Dean!

 

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

Like the modern Master Memovox Cal 914?

 

3 bars inner for the alarm + 4 bars outer for minutes..?

Thank you for your input, Dean!

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

No message body

I love this one so much!

I have to find one.

My fav Modern Memo.

Best,

Nicolas.

Blomman & Gentlemen,
- have been following with interest & many a smile this so nice post
- and next to nice pix and sights of Paris ( finally, Blomman you got to
fo some .. saw the gargoyle watching )
- also the reflection about 3 vs 4 bars :

Couldn't it simply be, that for a little while the PARKING feature was 'funnily so'
( marketing ?/ small series ?) more important, and hence the 15 mins intervals
- Several old parkometers ( even the old paper- Parking turn dials to put onto the dashboard
had - guess what - 15 mins Intervals !
Next intervals were 30 mins, 1 hr, 2 hr
( of course nothing in between)

Then - or alternatively ( don't know if before, in parallel or thereafter) the classical
12,5 mins (4 bars) were used again, - The funny and hilarious blue P
of course remained - being the 'signature' of this beautiful edition.

Anyway, just a summerly reasoning of
KIS ("keep it simple") attempt,
and Watson's humble 2- cents into the Parkometer.

Very pleasant read, great pics
and I do envy EVERYONE, owning a Parking.

Simply enjoy, to have found one ..
- well , and a 'Parking Spot" with you !

Best,
hs

and for the previous ones as well. I have been enjoying these and did not have the opportunity to comment yet.

 

As a collector of vintage JLC watches since 25 years, I have always enjoyed the creativity and artwork of the ads.

 

Cheers,

 

Asi

I will come to that topic soon!

 

 

Thank you, Asi – any old marvels to share?

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

... Blomman, you have made this review a bit different than what you did for last four Parts.

this one you included some beautiful scenery photos in Paris to mix with those vintage ads which gave me a new concept and refreshing reading pleasure.

back to the theme of your Part #5, Memo Parking is really a very attractive and clever design compared with those typical Memo, just changing the inner dish a bit, it can then make the Memo in different function, very clever design indeed!

by the way, thanks for including a pic of my Gubelin Memo Parking, feel honor to be part of your post, thanks

stefan

I thought it was appropriate to add some Paris flavour!

 

 

Happy you liked the post, Stefan!

 

And thank you for letting me borrow one of your pics!

 

Feel free to add some more photos of your Memo Parking collection!

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

Another very pleasant read .. Thanks so much !
And, BTW : about one of my 'little' grails, which has escaped me for long meanwhile

One day, I hope..
Meanwhile kind thanks to yoy !

Best, hs

Post – always with a twist!

 

Like a Gin and tonic…

 

 

Another one on your hunt list?

 

Well, they pop up from time to time.

 

But be careful, the Memo parking is probably (together with the WT) the most faked/not original of memovoxes…

 

Thank you, HS – hope you will find yours soon!

 

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

Thank you for these kind words and the experienced hunter's advice,
And yes, the MMV Parking is very much on my list, will keep my eyes open..

-- but will eventually appreciate friendly consultants ..

Meanwhile, I'll continue to enjoy my other treasures, little or more

Enjoy yours, my friend !

Summerly best,
hs

a beauty in all regards and again, I love the accompanying literature/vintage ads..

Blomman, you and Vlad are really pushing me to the vintage chase.