The Watch
In 1956 Jaeger-LeCoultre launched the K815 caliber, the world's first automatic alarm wristwatch, the Memovox Automatic. The automatic winding of this watch had a pendulum (even called: bumper), which rotated in an angle of about 110 °, It was limited by two springs and stored the energy in the barrel for the time function.
In 1959, the Memovox Automatic, reference E855 received a date display with the automatic caliber K825. This calibre consisted of 241 individual parts and was built in a quantity of about 45,000. The K825 was used in the models of the E855, the E859 (also referred to as Polaris, in two versions of 1965 and 1968), and the E861.
The first form of the indices of the European E855 came with attached Arabic numerals "12" instead of the "JL" logo on later models. The last two forms of the indices came with an attached triangle on the central alarm disc of the clock to indicate the alarm, while in the earlier models the triangle was painted on the alarm indication disc. The first two forms of the indices were offered with watch hands in dauphine form, the last three, however, with bâton hands.
Specific Information
Object nr: 61
Maker: Jaeger LeCoultre
Model: Memovox
Reference: E855
Year: 1959/60
Movement: Caliber K825 (bumper), 988516
Material: Stainless steel
Original crown: Yes, both crowns are original JL-crowns
Dimensions: 37mm, without crown,
Strap/Bracelet: A very nice Hirsch Nature Collection
Lug Width: 18mm
Box/Papers: Yes, a Jaeger LeCoultre Memovox-box in a nice vintage condition
Provenance: This particuallary watch was owned by the swedish royalty watchmaker Philip Jansson who was in the royalties service during the 1980s and 1990´s. Papers certifying this is included.
The Condition
This watch is in our opinion in a very good shape. The dial is lovely without any apparent patina. There is only a small mark between 7 and 8. The lume dots at the index have become dark brown during the years and the hands may have been re-lumed at some point. The triangualar on the sliding alarm disc is painted. The case is well preserved but got some signs of wear. The crystal is new. The vintage lether strap is in nice condition and so is also the orignal crowns.
Sold "as it is”!
The pictures is a part of the description, study therefore the pictures carefully!
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