In 1950, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the Memovox (voice of memory), its first wristwatch featuring an alarm. The model rapidly became one of the most desirable and reliable alarm wristwatches on the market and in 1959, the brand decided to make a diver’s version.

Known in the United States as the Polaris, and in the European market as the Skin Diver Memovox, the reference E859 offered both visual (inner bezel) and auditory (alarm) timers for ultimate diver safety. To do so, the firm created a patented caseback which optimized the alarm’s sound transmission under water. The outer case, with its 16 holes, allowed for the alarm tone to be heard and also felt on the wrist, while the inner case sealed and protected the movement. The watch featured three crowns, each with the cross hatch pattern characteristic of Super Compressor watches: the first for time setting, the second to rotate the inner bezel for dive timing, and the third to rotate the inner disc with an arrow to set the alarm.

The present example, made for the American market stands out from the regular production not only thanks to its excellent condition, but also due to its name. Whereas most Memovox dials do not bear any inscriptions apart from the brand name, this watch is stamped Memodate. This particular feature has hardly ever been seen in the past and remain a particularity that even the savviest LeCoultre collectors cannot miss