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Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Alarm (Ref. 3151) Cal. P489/1, 1950s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Alarm (Ref. 3151) Cal. P489/1, 1950s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Jaeger-LeCoultre (maker)
Date
1950s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 35 mm
Stock no.
JLCMV3151
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (JLCMV3151)
Catalogue title (original)
1950s Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Alarm (Ref. 3151) Cal. P489/1 (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number JLCMV3151), this is a wristwatch by Jaeger-LeCoultre, made in Switzerland, dated 1950s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 35 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

This Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Ref 3151 is a product of its era, with modest size, wonderful gold filled case, and legible Arabic numerals on the dial. Jaeger-LeCoultre is universally known for their excellent alarm watches and in house movements. 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 alarm is crisp and noticeable which is a key feature of the manual cal. P489/1 movement. This Jaeger-LeCoultre Ref. 3151 is whimsically functional and doubles as excellent dress pieces that suit today's fashion perfectly. This piece would make a great addition to an existing collection and be a great and classic timepiece as a stand-alone piece! Stock # JLCMV3151 Brand LeCoultre Style Alarm Model Memovox Alarm Serial 591XXX Size Mens Material 18K Yellow Gold Dial Silver Millimeters 35mm Strap 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The gold filled case remains in excellent condition exhibiting light wear and signs of light polishing The case retains its original unsigned crowns and the serial number is clearly legible on the case back. Watch will come on a 2pc leather strap of your choosing. DIAL & HANDS The wonderful "SWISS" only silver dial with Arabic numerals is in great vintage condition. The dial itself has developed an interesting patina and warm tone that give the watch an excellent vintage aesthetic. The radium lume plots all remain intact and have taken on a nice dark patina, the 3, 6, and 7 o'clock plots exhibit some degradation under U.V. light inspection. The original radium gold dauphine hands are in exquisite condition and match the dial perfectly, the hands show no degradation under U.V. light inspection. ACCESSORIES The alarm function operates flawlessly and the watch is keeping perfect time, previous service history is unkown.

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.

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