Manufacturer: Jaeger-LeCoultre Year: 1967 Reference No: E. 855 Movement No: 1'830'033 Case No: 1'057'885 Model Name: Memovox Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. K825, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Yellow gold plated buckle Dimensions: 37mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
Catalogue Essay
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Worldtimer was the perfect accessory for businessmen traveling around the world. Even nearly 50 years after its creation, this watch remains contemporary with its timelessly styled dial and large case size. It features everything a traveling executive could have wanted in a mechanical wristwatch: automatic winding, center seconds, date, alarm, and the simultaneous indication of time in 24 time zones.
The present lot is an especially rare version, fitted with an unusual black dial. Housed in an 18-karat yellow gold case, it may have been a special order for an important client.
Made in 1967, the present lot is equipped with JLC’s caliber 825, a so-called “bumper” movement with date. When worn on the wrist, a rotor rotates back and forth in a 180-degree arc, bouncing between two buffer springs to automatically wind the movement. It’s a highly charismatic winding system, where the wearer feels the subtle but tactile bouncing of the rotor with the motion of their wrist.
Not all companies in the watchmaking field have been able to stand the test of time quite like Jaeger LeCoultre, also known as the "watchmaker's watchmaker." Founded in 1833 by Antoine LeCoultre and originally named LeCoutre, the firm provided watchmaking's top brands, such as Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and Audemars Piguet, the high-grade, unfinished mechanical movements with which they completed their watches.
In the early 1900s, Cartier's watch supplier Edmond Jaeger sought out LeCoultre's help in creating the world's thinnest watches. The collaboration resulted in the creation of Cartier's earliest Tank and Santos watches, all housed with LeCoultre movements. The duo decided to merge in 1937, and the firm officially became the Jaeger-LeCoultre brand by which collectors know and adore it today. Some of the firm's most significant and important timepieces include the Reverso, the Memovox, the Atmos clock and, among modern watches, their Master Complications.