Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Memovox Caliber 914 Review

This Memovox model is not common because it is a black dial display modern Memovox and it had a limited run from around 1999-2002. This one is from 2001. A explained in Nicolas’ post there were only 1164 of these black dial steel versions with leather strap made and others with steel bracelet and some in gold...

This Memovox is also unique because it's one of two modern black faced Memovox models and, until quite recently (2020 I guess), it was the only Memovox with a clear case back to view the movement and alarm complication. When this model was released there was also a silver faced version that had a closed case back, not as limited in production.

In 2020, Jaeger LeCoultre - which is the only watch manufacturer to have more than 200 calibers of striking watches in its watchmaking heritage - released an automatic silver dial version with a sapphire case back. But, even if the 2020 Memovox uses a gong design, it is much more difficult to view it in action.

In fact, previously as with this generation Memovox, the alarm mechanism used a gong and a resonator, which were attached to the case back for optimal sound transmission. That’s why therefore the vast majority of Memovox watches had a closed back. This is also why this Memovox, which included the manually wound caliber 914 with a sapphire crystal caseback, was an exception. 

Moreover, with the Master Control Memovox and the Master Control Memovox Timer, if the automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre movement with the alarm function is associated with a transparent back, it was necessary for this to redesign the gong and the striking mechanism, by positioning gong on the periphery of the movement and changing the direction of the hammer strike.

Another couple of interesting facts about this watch should be noticed : This watch not only does it differ from the buzzing alarm of the other calibres that had the hammer strike the inside of the Memovox case but it was also manufactured alongside the minute repeaters from Jaeger LeCoultre which have a similar gong design. For me, this manual wind version is a model to get because the gong makes the alarm sound immensely different and more pleasing to listen to than the vintage calibers : It really sounds like an old school bell…

A lot of these have had the back sapphire replaced but on this one this the original back sapphire as per the two contact points (A replacement will have one large cap on the crystal suspending the gong in place).

The movement looks fantastic : It is the Jaeger LeCoultre calibre 914 (also used in other models) which is an alarm movement from Jaeger-LeCoultre produced since 1996 and is based on its predecessors, calibres 910 and 911, but with significant improvements : It beats at a modern 28,800 A/h rather than 19,800 A/h as in the previous models and it was upgraded with 18 jewels, one more than before.

But the most significant improvement is the use of a nicer-sounding gong for the alarm function. 

Thanks for reading me and have a nice day, mine is pretty cool :