Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox

Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox, the alarm watch with real-world charisma

The Memovox is Jaeger-LeCoultre at its most practical and poetic. It can wake you for a flight, remind you to make a call, or nudge you before the starter is served. It looks refined, sounds charming, and sits comfortably in the brand’s portfolio as a signature complication that never lost its cool. If you want an alarm watch that doubles as a conversation piece, this is the one collectors point to.

Introduced in 1950 and still very much alive, the line slides between dress and sport depending on the era. Early hand-wound pieces set the template with a clean dial and an inner rotating alarm disc. The idea then expanded with the Deep Sea Alarm and later the Polaris, which translated the concept into a dive-ready context. In modern times, the Master Memovox anchors the dressier side, while sportier interpretations take cues from the historic divers. There is no single celebrity designer attached, which suits a watch built to be used, not merely signed.

Design identity

Two crowns define the silhouette: one for winding and time, the other for the alarm and the inner disc. The alarm indicator is typically a triangle or arrow on a central disc, a subtle cue that signals function without clutter. Indices are often applied batons, with lume on sportier models, and some eras feature Arabic numerals at 12 or 6. Dials lean toward silver sunray, deep black, or tasteful blues, with occasional crosshair or sector motifs that give vintage pieces their quiet thrill. Dive references add an internal timing scale; dress references stay crisp under a domed crystal.

At a glance

• Type: dress and sport, with historical dive variants
• Introduced: 1950; still produced in Master Memovox and sport references
• Known for: mechanical alarm via a central rotating disc and twin crowns
• Design credit: developed in-house by Jaeger-LeCoultre
• Signature feel: elegant proportions and an audible, tactile alarm ritual

Cases, dials, and bracelets

Stainless steel is the most common material across eras, with 18k pink or yellow gold appearing on dressier or limited executions. Vintage cases often sit in the mid-30 mm range, while modern pieces typically measure around 40 mm for the Master Memovox and about 42 mm for sport and dive-inspired models. Curved lugs and balanced profiles keep wear comfortable, even as sizes increased.

Dial colors vary by era and intent. Silver with sunray finishing has a long run; black brings graphic punch on sport references; blue adds a modern, luxe twist. Indices are applied and largely baton-shaped, with measured lume. Divers feature stronger lume and an internal rotating bezel track. Straps include calf or alligator for dress, rubber for aquatic models, and stainless steel bracelets for a tougher presence. Some modern bracelets add user-friendly micro-adjustment, but many owners lean into the ritual of leather for both suits and weekends.

Movements and why they matter

The Memovox uses in-house movements that integrate the alarm intuitively. Early models were hand-wound; later ones went automatic; current calibers deliver reliable power with a satisfying chime that resonates off the case back. The upper crown sets the alarm by rotating the central disc to the target time. When it rings, a small hammer strikes an internal element, producing a buzz that is audible and pleasantly mechanical. It is genuinely useful and deeply engaging for anyone who likes complications that do something you can actually hear. Over generations, power reserves, finishing, and serviceability improved, yet the essential character remains intact.

Functions and complications

• Core: hours, minutes, seconds, mechanical alarm
• Common addition: date window on many Master Memovox references
• Sport variants: internal rotating timing ring controlled by a crown
• Case backs: solid on some divers, exhibition on many modern dress models

Sizes and wear

Vintage lovers will appreciate mid-30 mm cases for their suit-friendly elegance. For a contemporary sweet spot, the 40 mm Master Memovox slips under a cuff yet feels sturdy enough for daily use. Sport and dive-leaning pieces around 42 mm bring more lume and bolder bezels without losing the Memovox’s refinement.

Price positioning

New Master Memovox models in steel often sit around €12.900 to €20.000, with precious metals commanding more. Sport-forward alarms with added engineering or limited production can reach the mid €20.000s, especially in gold. On the pre-owned side, steel dress references from later decades commonly start near €3.500 to €6.500, while sought-after vintage divers like the Deep Sea Alarm and Polaris attract strong collector interest and significantly higher prices. Value depends on originality, dial condition, correct crowns, and, crucially, a healthy alarm mechanism. Service history matters, because an alarm watch has more moving parts than a simple three-hander.

Popular references collectors discuss

• E855: classic mid-century Memovox dress reference with the signature two-crown profile
• E857: Deep Sea Alarm, an early dive application of the Memovox idea
• E859: late-1960s Polaris, the cult favorite with bold diver identity

Across decades the Memovox has never felt like a gimmick. It is a conversation between utility and style, executed with Jaeger-LeCoultre restraint. Set the disc, wind the crown, and when the moment arrives, the watch delivers exactly what it promised. That is why the Master Memovox remains a confident choice in luxury watchmaking and why vintage names like Polaris still ring in the ears of enthusiasts.