This is your wake up call. A brief history of the Jaeger LeCoutre Memovox.

Jaeger-LeCoultre represents all the key values any aspiring watch manufacturer should strive for; timeless design, excellence through innovation and passion for product. Whether you're Rolex or Omega, AP or Patek, it's hard to ignore Jaeger-LeCoultre and its place in the industry. They have delivered superior quality timepieces featuring ground-breaking complications since 1833, all meticulously crafted in-house at their workshop in Le Sentier, Switzerland. Their rich history has seen the release of models such as the Reverso, Polaris, and the ever-popular Master Control range. As you can tell we're big fans of JLC here at Watts on Watches, but today we're here to talk about a specific model in particular. Often one overlooked in JLC's catalogue with a rather underrated complication, take a seat and let's chat about the Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox.

Sleek and sophisticated, could you see yourself sporting a Memovox?

First appearing in catalogues in late 1950, JLC originally branded their new model as “Wrist Alarm”, though swiftly rebranded to “Memovox”. The Memovox name is a combination of “memory” and the Latin “vox” meaning “voice”, a fitting name that has stuck to this very day. It came as a response to the popularity of the Vulcain Cricket released in 1949, though it had a distinctive edge that is still used on contemporary Memovox models. A separate power reserve is used for the alarm complication and timekeeping complication, significantly improving accuracy and ensuring there is no accidental time alteration. The implementation of an independent main spring for the alarm also resulted in the creation of one of the defining features of a Memovox, the iconic dual crowns. One crown is used for standard time setting and winding, whereas the second allows the setting and winding of the 12-hour alarm. When the set time is reached an internal alarm hammer strikes a protuberance on the back plate, emanating a distinctive buzzing sound. The more the spring was wound, the louder and lengthier the resulting buzz. 

The Memovox slides perfectly in any collection, even with powerhouses such as Vacheron and AP at Ogden of Harrogate.  

Tom and Josh recently got hands on with a beautiful model from the ‘60s during a visit to Ogden of Harrogate. The model in question is an early example which showcases the very finest a Memovox has to offer, driven by the calibre 814 manual movement. The slender 37mm case wraps around the wrist with a striking silver bezel and dial, delivering a timeless aesthetic that some competing models could only wish to exhibit. The aforementioned dual crowns present a sporty feel that makes the Memovox suitable as a weekend wearer that could easily be showcased on the wrist at social events or dinner parties. The Jaeger-LeCoutre Memovox is a versatile tool that typifies both form and function without needing to go too overboard; a refreshing and enviable persona even by today's standards.

If you want to see more of the Memovox and the rest of the stunning selection that we saw whilst at Ogden of Harrogate check out our video below.