In 1950 Jaeger-LeCoultre harnessed its mastery of chiming mechanisms to develop the Memovox alarm watch. The alarm complication was based on a minute repeater, a striking mechanism originally developed in 1676. With more than 100 minute repeaters designed before 1900, Jaeger-LeCoultre was known for its expertise with chiming mechanisms. Unfortunately, with the development of automatic watch alarms, mechanical alarms fell out of fashion. Despite being one of the most useful complications, alarms remain surprisingly rare in modern horology.
Seventy years later, Jaeger-LeCoultre is reinterpreting the minute repeater and the Memovox alarm – the chiming complications that have been a defining part of its long history. The Swiss watchmaker is expanding its Master Control collection with two new Memovox models inspired by the 1950s originals. The Master Control Memovox Timer incorporates an entirely new alarm-setting mechanism, while the Master Control Memovox, brings contemporary style to the classic alarm-plus-date model.
Both Mexmovox models are built with the new 40 mm stainless steel Master Control case. The cases transparent sapphire back showcases the redesigned striking mechanism. A new, open-worked pink gold rotor, decorated with Côtes de Genève to match the finishing on the movement plates, ensures an unobstructed view of the strike-works.
The Master Control Memovox Timer will be produced in a limited edition of 250 pieces. The dial is laid out in concentric rings, in two shades of blue with a sunray finish and an inner ring engraved in base-relief with polished numerals. On this inner ring, the elapsed hours-until-alarm are indicated by a small hand tipped with a red JL logo. Set at the outer edge of that ring, the Memovox’s signature triangular marker points to the time at which the alarm will ring.
The Master Control Memovox Timer ($15,600) from jaeger-lecoultre.com
The new Master Control Memovox features the classical combination of alarm and date display with a brushed silver sunray dial. The elongated triangular indexes recall the mid-century style of the first Memovox models – also echoed by the Dauphine hour and minute hands and blue second hand.
The Master Control Memovox ($11,600.00) from jaeger-lecoultre.com
