Price Guide: $5,500 - $8,000 AUD



Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Reference E855 - 18K Yellow Gold - Automatic Alarm - Calibre 825 - Circa 1970s



Overview

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox is among the most celebrated alarm wristwatches ever made, and the E855 reference is one of the finest variants of the line. Introduced at the Basel Fair in 1950 and refined continuously over the following two decades, the Memovox attracted an admirers list that included Miles Davis, Charlie Chaplin, Robert De Niro, Steve McQueen, and Stirling Moss. These were not men who chose watches for marketing reasons. They chose the Memovox because it is a connoisseur's instrument.



This example carries an 18K yellow gold case over a steel caseback. The steel back is a deliberate engineering choice: it functions as a resonating membrane that amplifies the hammer-based alarm mechanism, turning what would otherwise be a muffled vibration into a clear, audible ring. The Calibre 825 automatic movement runs on a bumper winding system, where the oscillating weight bounces between cushioned stops rather than rotating fully, producing a distinctive sound when the watch is moved and placing this example in the classic era of Memovox production. Two crowns operate the watch: the upper at 2 o'clock sets the inner alarm disc, the lower at 4 o'clock handles timekeeping and date. The E855 designation identifies this as the date variant, essentially the Memovox equivalent of adding a date window to an already capable watch.





Watch Specification

Brand: Jaeger-LeCoultre

Model: Memovox

Reference: E855

Movement: Calibre 825, automatic, bumper winding system, hammer-based alarm complication with inner rotating alarm disc

Case: 18K yellow gold case, steel caseback (resonating membrane for alarm amplification), 37mm, two crowns (alarm set at 2 o'clock, time/date set at 4 o'clock)

Dial: Two-tone silver, outer ring with applied gold-toned stick indices, inner satin alarm disc with gold triangular alarm marker, gold dauphine hour and minute hands with aged lume patina, date window at 3 o'clock, signed Jaeger-LeCoultre with applied JL monogram at 12

Bracelet: Gold-toned mesh bracelet (gold-plated, aftermarket, fitted); original Jaeger-LeCoultre leather strap with gold tang buckle also included

Water Resistance: Not formally rated (vintage open-crown construction)

Year: Circa 1970s

Serial: 1102149



Condition

The watch presents in good vintage condition appropriate to its era. The 18K gold case retains good definition on the lugs and bezel with honest surface wear and light scratches consistent with decades of use. No heavy polishing or deep damage is observed. The dial is clean and well-preserved with all applied indices intact. The hands retain their original form with the lume material showing the expected warm patina of aged tritium. The acrylic crystal has the minor surface marks expected of a vintage piece and presents well overall. The steel caseback is polished and the engravings including "MEMOVOX" and the serial number are crisp and legible. The gold-toned mesh bracelet presents evenly with normal surface wear. The original JLC leather strap is included and in presentable condition.



Includes

Original Jaeger-LeCoultre leather strap with gold tang buckle

Gold-toned mesh bracelet (fitted)

No box, no papers



Serial: 1102149 | Reference: E855

11519+17

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