Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox E 855 in 18K YG on Bracelet w/ Box

Along with the Atmos clock and Reversos, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s advancements in alarm timepieces throughout the 20th century are certainly one of the most iconic genres from the Le Sentier manufacturer. Perhaps the quintessential Memovox is the reference E 855 from the 1960s. The reference’s “E” stands for Etanche, which indicates the case is a water-resistant model.

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox reference E 855 is one of my favorite watches of all time. This example dates to mid 1960s. The case measures 37mm in diameter and wears excellent. The 18k yellow gold case has been lightly polished. It is paired on the impossible-to-find 18k yellow gold Jaeger-LeCoultre Gay Freres bracelet. It features the uncommon baton hands instead of of “fork” or dauphine hands. These are seen in catalogs from the 1960s.

The watch is powered by the calibre 825, the first automatic alarm wristwatch to incorporate the calendar complication. The movement is a bumper-automatic, which means it does not rotate a full 360 degrees. Instead, the oscillating weight will bounce back and forth between two spring sides within the movement.

The watch does not come with papers. It comes with a beautiful LeCoultre box which was likely added later. We do not know the service history but it is running well.

To learn more about this model, read Charlie Dunne’s Coll ector's Guide: Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Reference E 855.

PRICE: $19,000 (Item SBUXYT4163)