Jaeger-LeCoultre

I planned to celebrate another successful year by buying another special watch this month. Since I already had a Jaeger-LeCoultre, I spent months thinking about what I'd love to have. I'm into the technology of watches, especially well-executed complications, appreciate a clean design, and love historic brands and models. I spent some time looking for the right Blancpain Fifty Fathoms or Lange 1 and came very close to buying an Arnold & Son HM Perpetual Moon or a Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec but none of these were right. The Arnold was especially disappointing once I got my hands on it in person.

I just couldn't find another watch that I was really into, and I kept coming back to Jaeger-LeCoultre. I love the new Geomatic (sorry, "Geophysic") in person, and almost bought one of those, but it wasn't exactly perfect. I really wanted a clever complication, but I just can't afford JLC's king of complications, the Duomètre.

I've always loved the Memovox. The Reveil is such a charming complication and so well executed in the Memovox. I've looked at dozens of vintage models and considered a new one, in steel, too. But I've got lots of dress watches. My only real sports watches are a Seiko "Navitimer" and an Orient Ray. Thus the Blancpain I mentioned above... And wouldn't it be cool to have a real limited series watch with some special case material?

Then I found it. It's classy yet sporty, limited and really special, classic yet modern, and complicated yet clean. And it's another Jaeger-LeCoultre!

Behold the object of my affection: The Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX 1-Alarm Titanium!

It pushes all my buttons. Who doesn't love the classic Jaeger-LeCoultre models like the Memovox and Polaris? This hearkens back to both of them, with some modern Master Control thrown in, too. Although it's now 10 years old (hard to believe!) it still looks modern.

Looks-wise, it's got everything! Plus, the titanium case, ruthenium number track, and subtle brown band give it some serious depth even though it looks all grey at a glance. Look close and you'll see many different textures, levels, and details. And it's got a modern, reliable movement and isn't so expensive or dressy that it can't be worn any old day.

I was concerned about the size - 42 mm is large in my book - but it wears smaller. It's lighter than it would seem thanks to the titanium case and the super short, curved lugs mean it fits on my slimmer wrist. Lug-to-lug, it's actually just a bit larger than my tiny Reverso Duo!

I'm just thrilled with this piece. I was shocked when I spotted it among the vintage watches in the window of a little shop in Como, Italy. They came down a bit on the price and I took it home for easily 50% of its current resale value. It came "unused with box and papers" allegedly, but the box is from an AMVOX 1 R-Alarm not this non-R model and the light scratches show some wear. Still a very good deal, though!

I'm especially excited that it has the original Bridge of Weir leather strap in worn-but-good condition. Most similar models have lost theirs, and it's really lovely! I've contacted my Jaeger-LeCoultre salesperson about procuring a replacement so I can preserve this one, and I'm also working on an appropriate Camille Fournet facsimile for daily wear. I hate to separate it from its original parts, but I want to preserve the original.

So that's my 2015 grail. I'm loving it so far! I think our moderator will agree - I believe you have one just like it, right Amanico?

PS: I cheated last year and splurged on a Nomos Tangomat GMT, too. I also bought a dozen other fun watches. Don't tell anyone!

BTW, I won't tell