
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Rare Jaeger le Coultre Memovox Silver Dial 875.42, early 1970s
- Maker / attribution
- Jaeger le Coultre (maker)
- Date
- early 1970s
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Unrecorded in source
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- silver
- Dimensions
- Case 37 mm
- Stock no.
- W-579
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-579)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Rare Jaeger le Coultre Memovox Silver Dial 875.42 (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-579), this is a wristwatch by Jaeger le Coultre, dated early 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: silver. 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 — Bulang & Sons
The Time-capsule- JLC Rare Silver Dial Alarm Watch This is a beautiful, near unworn, (we guess only worn in the shop 40 years ago to try it on, only) rare example of the iconic Memovox alarm watch by Jaeger Le Coultre. The word ‘Memovox’ was invented by Jaeger Le Coultre and is actually an amalgamation of two latin words. Memor, which means remembering and Vox, which means voice. The untouched and crisp case measures 37mm and has two, original, crowns. As with the whole watch, the dial is in beautiful original condition, with a flawless silver soleil outer dial and grained inner dial. The applied logo at 9 o’clock is in steel. The watch comes on the original black leather JLC strap with steel JLC pin buckle and will also come with a Bulang and Sons strap of your choice*. This watch is in completely untouched condition and we have decided to not even open this time capsule. The watch is running fine, but for everyday wear a service might be recommended. We are happy to assist with this, if one prefers to have it serviced! Specifications - Reference 875.42 - Dates to the early 1970s - Serial 14755xx - Silver soleil dial - ‘Hammer’ alarm system - Original ‘JLC’ winding crowns - Original JLC leather strap and pin buckle - Comes with a Bulang and Sons strap of your choice (*max.150 Euro incl. VAT)
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
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
Wristwatches · early 2000s
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classique in 18k Yellow Gold Ref. 250.1.86, early 2000s
Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen
Wristwatches · early 1960s
Jaeger le Coultre Deepsea Alarm Ref E857, early 1960s
Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen
Wristwatches · 1990s
Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso “Grande Taille” Two-Tone Silver Dial ref. 270.8.62 Set, 1990s
Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen
Wristwatches · 1995
Jaeger le Coultre Master Control Memovox Silver Dial Ref 141.8.97, 1995
Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen
Wristwatches · 1970
Wristwatch by Heno, Switzerland, 1970
Museum Rotterdam
Wristwatches · 1970s
Wristwatch, plastic, by Gucci; Italy, 1970s.
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Wristwatches · 1978
Calculator wristwatch by Suwa Seikosha Co. Limited, Japan, 1978
Science Museum Group, London
Wristwatches · 1980
Wristwatch, 1980 (no. 71413)
Museum Rotterdam
