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Ed. W's detailed review of the LeCoultre Memovox ref. 2677 with Caliber K910 offers a deep dive into a significant vintage alarm watch. This article is invaluable for collectors seeking to understand the historical context, technical specifications, and unique characteristics of early Memovox models, particularly those produced for the US market. Ed. W provides essential details that illuminate why this reference holds a special place among enthusiasts.
The Memovox is somewhat of a cult watch, if such a title can be given to anything other than the Rolex Submariner or Omega Speedmaster. Although it is certainly not the first alarm watch, it's definitely the most well known. Debuted in 1951 with the Cal. 489 (developed in 1949) and followed by 12 versions ending with the Cal. 956 used in the current Memovox. Only the most recent 5 movement references (Cal. 919, 918, 914, 909/1, 956) starting in 1989 with the Grand Reveil perpetual calendar/alarm and its Cal 919. These ringing Memovoxes use a gong to make a bell ringing sound, the others all used a vibrating hammer that makes the sound shown in the video in my previous post.
Some specs of the example I have:
LeCoultre (with VXN stamped on the movement) movement for the US market
Model Ref. 2677
Circa 1962-1964
Cal. 910
Movement introduced in 1962
Two mainsprings (one for time and one for alarm)
17 Jewels
13''' (29.3 mm) diameter, 5.15 mm thickness
KIF flector antishock
3 bridge design (as opposed to the 3/4 design)
Glucydur balance
19,800 vph
Watch is 34.5mm diameter, 38 mm long, 10 mm thick (including high domed acrylic crystal).
Stainless steel made by the Star Watch Case Co. in Michigan (now defunct)
Monocoque case design (movement can only be removed from the front by removing the crystal)
Applied markers with tritium paint, with typical 1960's arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9.
Silver dial with "T Swiss T" marked at the bottom.
Lug width 19mm
The movement itself requires a typical 40 turns to fully wind and lasts approximately 36 hours (never measured). The watch is not water resistant in any way whatsoever, like most vintage watches, so water must be avoided like the plague.
There's not all that much to say about the watch except a few points about purchasing. Overall it's very wearable and, at least for my small 6.5 inch wrist, is a pleasure to wear. 19mm straps used on most memovoxes are not a standard size and may prove more difficult to get, but it's only a minor nuisance. The alarm is an interesting complication although not the most useful given it's 10 second duration and 50 decibel loudness. It's by no means a piece of haute horologerie and the American made LeCoultre cases reflect this more so than its European counterparts marked Jaeger LeCoultre. The movements for both markets are the exact same but the cases are not held to the same esteem. The case on my example has unbeveled lugs that appear quite industrial. Some American cases can be up to the Swiss made standards but it's more misses than hits.
Regarding the materials, many US Memovoxes are gold filled, which means that the case is made of some nonprecious base metal which is covered in 14 or 18 karat gold foil at least 1/10th the weight of the case itself. While these cases have gold much thicker than gold plating would allow, I prefer either solid stainless steel cases or solid gold cases. Gold plating, gold filling, and even rhodium plated white gold feel like a bit of a lie to me. To quote my friend Armanico over at Purists "Gold filled is like bastards, neither gold nor steel." This is, of course a sack full of personal opinion and you should always buy whatever makes you happy.
