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Vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Alarm Watch, 1950s — view 1 of 4
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Alarm Watch, 1950s

DocumentedDocumented from an auction catalogue; attribution as stated by the auction house.
Maker / attribution
Jaeger-Lecoultre (maker)
Date
1950s
Country of origin
Unrecorded in source
Object type
Wristwatch
Lot
Item 62549761
Credit line
Auction lot record: lot 13, VINTAGE AND MODERN TIMEPIECES AUCTION, Champagne Auctions (2018), via LiveAuctioneers
Catalogue title (original)
Vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Alarm Watch Circa (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by LiveAuctioneers auction archive (lot Item 62549761), this is a wristwatch by Jaeger-Lecoultre, dated 1950s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 4 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

Lot description — Champagne Auctions

For those not familiar with the legendary Memovox please take note, it was the first timepiece with a self-winding movement watch movement that included an alarm complication. In the early 1950s, the Memovox was produced; a period when citizens were trying to build new societies and recover from the trauma of World War 2. The 10K yellow gold filled case is in decent shape, while no signs of brazing it does have 2 distinct blemishes worthy of noting, 1 on the side of the case opposite of the original signed crowns and one on the flat top bezel near the 12 hour mark. The crystal has been replaced and is free of scratches while exposing the golden colored dial. Its rather obvious the dial has seen better days and is heavily corroded but as in all things vintage, 100% original is the way to go. 3 baton style indexes have since fallen off and removed. Powered by a Calibre 916 the automatic movement is achieved with its swinging weight by a 360 degree winding rotor. Note that this watch winds, sets and runs but the alarm funtion no longer works and the watch will require a service. These Memovox watches are not only beautiful & affordable but also historically important vintage timepieces. Manufacturer: Jaeger-LeCoultre Year: 1970s Model Name: Memovox Material: 10K gold filled Calibre: LeCoultre 916 Bracelet/Strap: black leather Case Size: 36mm Accessories: n/a We do our best to ensure that all our watches are exactly as described. In the event that the watch operates outside of the listed specifications, the Auction house will only accept full returns. Due to the nature of vintage timepieces we cannot guarantee water resistance. Pre-Owned timepieces may require servicing to perform to specification unless it has been specified. We provide a 24hr/Accuracy reading for reference purposes only.

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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