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amanico
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Another rare Memovox Reference, the E 11005.

The Reference E 11005 is not only another rare Memovox reference, it is, in a certain way, a kind of horological anachronism.

While, since the birth of the Automatic Alarm movement, in 1956 ( Cal 815, and, in 1959, the Cal 825, a 815 with a Date ), the Memovox adopted, more and more, an automatic configuration, since the very early Sixties.

The Cal 911 ( a 910 with a Date ), was born in 1964... And was mainly used in the Memovox Alarm Clocks, for almost 15 years.

The Cal 911 ( Credit pictures to Greg B ) :





So, the E 11005 and its movement, the Cal 911 is an exception to the Automatic Trend, as it was born the year when the other manual winding alarm movement was discontinued, the Cal 814.

Rare, it is, undisputably: Two versions saw the light in 1965: A stainless steel and a 80 microns gold plated:



150 pieces came with the 80 microns gold plated case, and approximatively 500 in stainless steel.

It is also, and most importantly, a very particular Memovox, which can truly be, aesthetically speaking, considered as the precursor of the last E 855 produced at the end of the Sixties, and most precisely, the so called E 855 " Ebony Indexes ":

Baton Hands, long thin applied metal indexes with a black part inside, with a notable difference, which can be seen as a nice reminder of a not so distant Past: The applied hour markers, which recall the Memovox Parking ( Ref 3161 ).

Let's have a look on these two versions.

1/ The Stainless Steel:

- The case is certainly one of the most specific details on this reference.

The lugs are clearly in the prolongation of the case, which softens the round lines, at the contrary of the contemporeanean E 855:

Here the E 855:



To be compared to the E 11005:



Very sober and harmonious lines, for a flatter, thinner case, too, while the diameter is the same, compared to an E 855 ( 37 mm).

Here is a profile view of the 2 E 1005:





The crowns are signed, which is conform to the period.

The case back is screw in type as the E letter suggests it, but very special, too, compared to other manual or self winding Memovoxex: It is much flatter, with a different design:



The distance between the lugs is generous ( 20 mm ).

All these details contribute to the sober elegance of this watch, elegance made of understatement and a touch of modernity.

- The dial:

We can almost say the same for the dial, which shares the virtues of an elegant discretion.

The applied metal and black baton indexes alternate with the applied hour markers, which is not that current in the Memovox landscape, pretty elegant, and very well balanced.

To say all, I think this is my favourite Memovox dial.

Beauty, and Utility... To remind you at what hour you set your Alarm, the triangle is fitted with some luminous material ( tritium ) as well as the extremity of the hands and 5 minutes indexes on the alarm alarm ring.







A timeless and charming Vintage piece.

2/ The gold plated " Sister ".

Same recipe, at the exception of a contrasted ( warmer ), a bit less understated version.

Here, the applied indexes and hour markers are golden, as well as the hands, on a dial which remains silvered.

A kind of retro touch?



Funny how a chromatic difference can change the look, the character of a watch.

In this golden presentation, the Vintage look of this E 1005 is enhanced.









What I find less attractive, personaly, on this golden E 11005, is that it is gold plated, and also, the fact that it has a stainless steel case back...

But to each his own.



Is the E 11 005 the epitome of the Vintage Memovox? I think we're not far from it!

Looking forward to reading your thoughts and comments,

Best.

Nicolas. This message has been edited by amanico on 2013-04-08 14:13:28 This message has been edited by amanico on 2013-04-12 13:23:49