Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox HPG 'Egg', 1970s

Dealer description — Analog/Shift

The first popular mechanical alarm wristwatch was the Vulcain Cricket. It gained many accolades upon its debut in 1947, making its way onto the wrists of numerous notable individuals — including several U.S. Presidents. In the late 1940s, Jaeger-LeCoultre began producing its own mechanical alarm watch to compete with the popular Cricket. Utilizing a unique twin-crown system and a unique alarm mechanism — the Memovox employs a hammer that strikes against a post welded to the caseback, whereas the Cricket uses a resonant, dual-case back design — JLC set itself apart and in so doing, created one of the most iconic models of post-War watchmaking. LeCoultre's earliest Memovox expressions were largely available in Europe, while American-market models — cased in steel, two-tone, or in 14K gold in an array of dial configurations — were offered as early as 1951. This particular example dates to the 1970s and is one of the funkier takes on JLC's signature complications. Housed in a 37mm, 18K yellow, egg-shaped case with dual signed winding crowns and an as-bold-as-they-come bezel, this a beautifully patinated champagne-brown dial features applied Tritium indices, a matching syringe handset, and a central rotating alarm disc that bears the 'HPG' signature, otherwise known as 'High Precision Guaranteed'. Powered by a self-winding Calibre 916 movement, this piece is outfitted to one of our premium Nubuck leather straps in a Galway Green tone with a matching gold-tone pin buckle. Not many models with the Calibre 916 were produces, and fewer with a precious metal case. The Memovox is continues to be an under-appreciated watch from a storied manufacture , and this particular iteration with its pure 70's funk is probably horology's best kept secret.