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LeCoultre Memovox Alarm (Ref. 3041) Cal. K814, 1940s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

LeCoultre Memovox Alarm (Ref. 3041) Cal. K814, 1940s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Jaeger-LeCoultre (maker)
Date
1940s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 35 mm
Stock no.
LCM3041
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (LCM3041)
Catalogue title (original)
1940s LeCoultre Memovox Alarm (Ref. 3041) Cal. K814 (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number LCM3041), this is a wristwatch by Jaeger-LeCoultre, made in Switzerland, dated 1940s. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) 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 LeCoultre Memovox Ref 3041 is a product of its era, with modest size, wonderful gold filled case, and legible Arabic numerals on the dial. LeCoultre is universally known for its 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 sound is both deep and noticeable, which is a key feature of the manual cal. K814 movement. This LeCoultre Ref. 3041 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 # LCM3041 Brand LeCoultre Style Memovox Alarm Model 3041 Serial 30XXXX Size Men's Material 10K Gold Filled Dial Silver Millimeters 35mm Strap 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET Due to the overall excellent condition and age of the watch, it is believed the case has been replated with 10k yellow gold and shows very little signs of use and no fading to the plating. The case retains its original twin crowns signed with the Jaeger-LeCoultre logo. The "10K Gold Filled" designation is still visible on the back, though slightly worn. The watch will come supplied on a 2pc handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The non-luminous silver sunburst two-dial design of the Memovox is represented beautifully in the watch. The dial remains silver but has achieved a satisfying warm through age, and there are some spots on the inner rotating dial from age. The gold markers and hands all remain in excellent and original condition. ACCESSORIES

Historical context

Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)

The wristwatch displaces the pocket watch; waterproof cases, self-winding and grand complications.

The wristwatch overtook the pocket watch. Military use in the First World War, aviation, water-resistant cases (1926), automatic winding (1923–31), rectangular Art Deco designs and early chronographs and calendars defined the period.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Industrial Revolution

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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