Review
Blomman Mr Blue's comparison of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Memovox (MCM) and the Aston Martin I (AMI) offers a detailed look at two iconic alarm watches. This article delves into their shared heritage and distinct characteristics, providing valuable insights for collectors considering these JLC references.
No, it’s not a Roman number…
It’s time for round one! The Master Compressor Memovox versus the Aston Martin I!!!
Here are my personal opinions about the two.
Common basics:
Engine; Cal 918, 260 parts, 28800 vph, 45 h power reserve.
Functions; Hour, minute, seconds, date, alarm, rotating inner bezel.
Looks; Round, black dial, three crowns, broad hands, centre second with a red tip, luminous hands and hour markings, ss case.
Even if they are very similar in the big perspective, they are very different in details.
In the red corner, the MCM:
Diver, 41,5 mm in diameter, water-resistance 10 atm, cambered sapphire crystal, plate case back attached with 4 screws. Year 2002.
In the yellow corner, the AMI:
Racer, 42 mm in diameter, water-resistance 5 atm, hollowed on top sapphire crystal, screw on case back. Year 2005.
The strength of MCM is imo that it’s so the pure and simple.
No hassle, no fuss, but still with some complications; date, alarm and rotating inner bezel.
Big, thick and with a good weight you are really aware of her presence.
A so-called "tool watch" which also lives up to name.
Built like a tank, with the enhanced compressor crowns and cambered crystal she can take the heat in any situations.
In one of the workshops at La Grande Maison I once saw how they shock tested an MCM.
The guy used something similar to a golf club hanging in a pendulum and just wacked the watch with it!
BANG! The watch flew and I thought “that one is gone”!
Tests afterwards showed that the watch were little faster than before but otherwise not a scratch! Amazing!
Two big differences between the two are that;
The crown for the inner bezel is located at ten o’clock on the MCM and at three o’clock on the AMI. Big deal?
Yes, actually it is. On the MCM it is more difficult to operate the bezel because of the location of the crown,
but on the same time the location at ten o’clock gives the watch a more balanced look.
The AMI with the classic Polaris look with three crowns on the same side looks also great, also well balanced because of the smaller crowns.
The problem here is that it’s too easy to touch the centre crown, so the bezel will move.
I haven’t experienced this problem with the Polaris. Which one is worse? I don’t know.
Second; The MCM doesn’t have the normal Memovox alarm disk. Instead the alarm mark is fixed at ten o’clock and the disk that rotating has the alarm-time indication.
The AMI has the classic Memovox alarm disk, where the alarm mark rotates.
Even if the AMI is slightly bigger then the MCM, it looks more elegant and classic imo.
It’s a sports watch with a lot of “suit” feeling about it. It’s a sport, but not a tool watch.
The AMI doesn’t have the compact feeling like the MCM.
It’s a bit lighter and with the crystal on the outside of the case it doesn’t give the same assuring feeling as the MCM.
But it’s not fragile!
The dome is stunning! I love the silhouette of the AMI. 
Some times I actually which that JLC would have put this kind of crystal on the Tribute to Polaris instead of the plexi.
The plexi is so easy to scratch…
Even if the MCM’s bezel and hour marks are much closer to the Polaris, the AMI in whole feels closer to the icon!
Probably because of the crowns and the alarm disk.
On the back of the MCM there is the beautiful rg medallion with the sphere from the Geophysic!
The shape makes it very comfortable to wear; only the medallion is on your skin.
On the AMI in addition to the AM logo you have the typical Polaris “holes”, not sixteen as on the original, but still very typical!
The diameter of the part that lies on to your skin is 4 mm bigger on the AMI and much more flat than on the MCM, which makes is stick to your skin on a warm summers day.
No biggi, but a little bit annoying.
Well, in my book the final score will be;
The MCM gets 9 out of 10 stars, and the AMI, 7 out of 10 stars!
If the MCM would have the Cal 956 with the quick date set function I think it would be close to a perfect ten!
Maybe because I am not much of a racer or maybe because I think a sport watch has to be able to take a good beating, I don’t know.
But if the AMI had the same quick date set and a little more firm feeling to it. It would be almost perfect!
There are a lot more to say about these two brilliant and wonderful watches.
But I save it for later, so I have an excuse to come back to dwell on them again.
Best
Blomman
The AM 1 in Titanium will get some more stars as the contact and the weight on the wrist make it very comfortable. I like it so much and have my preference in this comparison. Cheers, Patrickh
When I think about what Black Memovox to add in my collection, comes to my mind the Black Memovox housing the manual Cal 914. And also the Vintage Polaris 65... As for the MC Memovox, I had it in 2002, and sold it in 2004, because of this 3rd crown at 10, and mostly because of this large window for the alarm time. These 2 details made me feel the unbalance design of this watch in a too strong way. But you know the story..Once you sell it, then you begin to rethink it, and to wonder if you can or
That sounds great Patrickh! Is it the grey dial or maybe the AMI-R green? I have always been torn about the green AMI ti. I do understand the connection with British Racing Green, but I am not sure about having a green watch. The dial is stunning – especially the alarm disk! Maybe you have a photo to share? Best Blomman
The very first one delivered in Paris, and an every day pleaure to wear and hear too since get-up. Best, patrickh
There will always be one that haunts us in our dreams! If it’s not the vintage Polaris 65 or the MM cal 914, it will be something else… And I bet that when you have them all – if you don’t have the MCM you will regret it! At least just to make sure to close the theme… There are so many themes… and so little time. On top of my new watch list is the Memovox International for sure! On the vintage list, the DSA is climbing high! Especially after seen yours after the visit to JLC. Best, my friend. Bl
The grey dial really gives it a different character than the black ss one. Looks great! Best Blomman
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