Jaeger Lecoultre 2020: The New Master Control Memovox and Memovox Timer have just been unveiled. A brief view on both of them
amanico
1950 - 2020... Jaeger Lecoultre is celebrating the 70th birthday of its icon, the Memovox.
The 3151:
And the E 855, in its first version with the applied 12 instead of the JL Logo.
At first glance, you may think that it is very close to the former version, especially when you look at the dial. Still, like the other Master Control introduced this year, the changes are subtle, Longer and slimmer applied triangular indices, sunburst decoration of the dial and so on...
But there are major changes...
Here you have two ways of being " alarmed " if I may say so. With the inner ring, you can set the alarm through the red JL Logo pointer, for appointments, phone calls, things to do and so on. You can also set the alarm in a more classic way, like you would do with any other Memovox, through the triangular pointer outside the engraved ring.
And also the superb E 855 Blue Scale:
It blends modernity and vintage spirit in a bewitching way, I must say... If only it didn't have this date...
But still, the presence of the date is not a deal breaker for me, here.
For that significant birthday, the Manufacture decided to unveil two models, the Master Control Memovox, and the Master Control Memovox Timer.
Let's first start with the MEMOVOX:
The new Master Control Memovox is the heir of three watches, the reference 3150 for the dial ( 1950 ), the reference 3151 for the case ( 1950 ), and the reference E 855 which was the first to use an automatic movement AND a date ( 1959 ).
The 3150 and its typical tubular lugs:
The 3151:
And the E 855, in its first version with the applied 12 instead of the JL Logo.
Here is the new Master Control Memovox:
At first glance, you may think that it is very close to the former version, especially when you look at the dial. Still, like the other Master Control introduced this year, the changes are subtle, Longer and slimmer applied triangular indices, sunburst decoration of the dial and so on...
But there are major changes...
- The new Master Control case, much more elegant with its generous bevelled lugs, which is 40 mm big and 12, 39 mm high.
- The see through case back, which is not plain as it was the case with the former reference! You will then be able to see the hammer in action when the alarm rings.
The consequence of that choice is that the gong is now attached to the case, not, of course, to the case back.
The movement is the same than in the former Memovox, the Cal 956, with a power reserve of 45 hours. I regret that Jaeger Lecoultre didn't decide to upgrade this movement like in the other new Master Control, with the silicon escapement and 70 hours of autonomy, though...
The movement is the same than in the former Memovox, the Cal 956, with a power reserve of 45 hours. I regret that Jaeger Lecoultre didn't decide to upgrade this movement like in the other new Master Control, with the silicon escapement and 70 hours of autonomy, though...
The Cal 956:
THE MEMOVOX TIMER is the second novelty.
It uses the same new case, see through case back and movement than the unlimited Memovox, and shares the same dimensions.
The differences are immediately perceptible:
The two tone dial, first,
Here you have a superb sunburst blue dial, with an engraved and polished numbers alarm ring.
Here you have two ways of being " alarmed " if I may say so. With the inner ring, you can set the alarm through the red JL Logo pointer, for appointments, phone calls, things to do and so on. You can also set the alarm in a more classic way, like you would do with any other Memovox, through the triangular pointer outside the engraved ring.
This Memovox Timer reminds me the Memovox Parking ref 3161, a bit, in the use....
The 3161:
And also the superb E 855 Blue Scale:
It blends modernity and vintage spirit in a bewitching way, I must say... If only it didn't have this date...
But still, the presence of the date is not a deal breaker for me, here.
I can't wait to see them in the real life and to take my own pictures...
To be followed.
Nicolas
Comments:
Tim_M June 5th, 2020-04:26
Thanks for sharing I like the timer. The standard Memovox doesn't feel different enough from the 2010 revision to feel new or warrant a replacement. As for the date, I have no objections other than the use of a contrasting date disc. A blue metallic disc would have been mor...
amanico June 5th, 2020-07:24
Totally true. Eve if the current Memovox is more refined, it is still too close to the former one. But it is some great news for those who don't own the former. As for the Timer, It is really eye catching... Best, Tim. Nicolas
SALMANPK June 5th, 2020-04:29
Two Handsome Pieces from JLC, I am partial to the Timer and like yourself, without the date, it would have been so much sweeter
nafetS June 5th, 2020-04:56
The timer looks like a design copy of the Memovox Boutique Edition from a few years ago. Really JLC? No new ideas? I used to love JLC but in the last few years their releases really disappointed me.
amanico June 5th, 2020-07:26
Well, I wouldn't be so critical with the Timer. I find it different from the 2016 Blue: The hands, the indices, the whole dial and the case + case back are different.
Gelato Monster June 5th, 2020-05:06
wow IMHO Memovox Bleu Timer is very very gorgeous. Yet I am sad It is so so beautiful in such a way that a date really ruins the harmony. Some watch are not as beautiful and in harmony as this, thus addition of date is not very disturbing. honestly for me the date make the Memovox Bleu Timer incongruous. Thank you Nic...
amanico June 5th, 2020-07:27
I would have loved to see it without date, indeed. Thanks, G.M.
dms June 5th, 2020-05:13
Damn ... I'm in love ... again ;) The Memovox Timer looks great ! The timer function is such a clever addition. If I'm not mistaken, it's "just" a simple matter of having the proper indications on the inner dial and on the hours' hand; Nothing specific to this on the caliber... The date w...
amanico June 5th, 2020-07:35
I still have to dig the topic of how it really works. But at least the Timer is intriguing me a lot.
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amanico
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