
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Gubelin Ipso-Vox Alarm (Ref. 855) "Gold-Plated", 1960s
- Maker / attribution
- Jaeger-LeCoultre (maker)
- Date
- 1960s
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- gold
- Dimensions
- Case 37 mm
- Stock no.
- GUBIPVX855
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (GUBIPVX855)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1960s Gubelin Ipso-Vox Alarm (Ref. 855) "Gold-Plated" (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number GUBIPVX855), this is a wristwatch by Jaeger-LeCoultre, made in Switzerland, dated 1960s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold. Recorded dimensions: Case 37 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Craft & Tailored
The legendary reputation of Gubelin dates back to 1854 and continues today under the same family. The brand started in Lucerne Switzerland in a small watchmaker's shop and later entered the Jeweler business as a formal atelier. The Gobelin jewelry business grew rapidly reaching throughout Switzerland and New York. The Gubelin Atelier continued its watch side of the business, primarily offering the premier Swiss brands such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet, normally with cosigned dials bearing the Gubelin name. The Gubelin Ipso-Vox Alarm is essentially a rebranded version of the Jaeger-LeCoultre ref. E855 which is one of the most desirable alarm references produced in the 1960s. The double-crown feature allows for winding and setting the time, as well as setting the alarm. The top crown sets the alarm complication of the timepiece. The Gubelin ref. 855, much like the JLC, features an excellent 37mm case, which is oversized for the 1960s era of its creation. The case sits nicely on the wrist and has a classic and timeless appearance while remaining relevant by today's wristwatch sizing standards. This piece would make a great addition to an existing collection and be a great and classic timepiece as a stand-alone piece! SPECS Stock # GUBIPVX855 Brand Gubelin Style Ipso-Vox Alarm Model 855 Serial 10XXXXX Size Men's Material Gold Cap Stainless Steel Dial Silver Millimeters 37 Strap 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The impressive, colorful, and well-preserved gold-capped stainless steel case has achieved a beautiful patina to the gold consisting of deep blues, purple, and red colors throughout. The case itself exhibits minimal signs of previous use with the original case dimensions fully present. The case retains the original twin "JL" signed crowns. The two-piece case back features an engraving that reads " A.J.P.". The watch comes supplied on a 2pc handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The original silver dial remains in very clean vintage condition overall and has achieved a welcomed gentle warmth to the color of the dial that further accentuates the vintage aesthetic of the watch. The dial does show some minor elements of age however they have very little effect on the attractiveness of the dial. The tritium lume plots have aged to a dark patina which is common in this specific model, under UV light inspection no degradation is visibly present on the dial. The original tritium hands have aged a few shades lighter than the dial lume and show no degradation when inspected under UV light. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is keeping time, but the service history is unknown. A movement service can be provided upon request.
Historical context
Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.
The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking
Atlas type guide
Wristwatches
Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.
After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.
What to look for
- The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
- The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
- Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
- Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.
Dating clues
- Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
- Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
- Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Related records
Clocks · 1937–1938
Skeleton clock by Jaeger-LeCoultre, Switzerland, 1937–1938
Science Museum Group, London
Movements & Components · 1953
Automatic watch movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre, 1953, Geneva, Switzerland, showing self-winding mechanism
Science Museum Group, London
Wristwatches · 1953
Automatic Wrist-watch, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Geneva, Switzerland, with reserve power indicator complete in steel case, 1953. Back numbered 564556.
Science Museum Group, London
Wristwatches · 1953
Wrist-watch, 'Memovox' alarm, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Geneva, Switzerland, complete in steel case, 1953.
Science Museum Group, London
Wristwatches · 1945
Wristwatch by Eterna, 1945
Museum Rotterdam
Wristwatches · c. 1945
Breitling Premier, ref. 790, c. 1945
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1945
Universal Genève Uni-Compax, ref. 22492, c. 1945
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1950s
Baume & Mercier wristwatch, c. 1950s
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
