GregB
135
A visual comparison of the cal 601 Memovox and its U.S. cal 489 cousin
I've been lucky enough to find 4 examples of the scarce (2,000 made) caliber 601 Memovox (alarm pointer hand instead of rotating alarm disc) for my collection, but I recently noticed that I also have its twin in a U.S. version watch.
The cal 601 movement was only installed in Swiss market watches and (to the best of my knowledge) only one case style: 
Notice the case similarity to its U.S. counterpart (dimensions are identical):
The JLC cal 601 Memovox has an 80 micron gold plated (gold-filled by U.S. standards) case with Swiss markings and was made for JLC by Wadsworth:
Compare the Swiss case above to the U.S. case, also made by Wadsworth, but stamped with U.S. markings:
The production dates are also very close together, with the cal 601 movement having a 735,000 serial number (1952) that is just 15,000 away from the serial number of the caliber 489/1 movement in the U.S. watch:
MEMOVOX Roll Call !!!
Hello Everybody! Let’s have a MEMOVOX Roll Call! Vintage or Modern, LC or JLC, Light or Dark, Big or Small… …makes no difference! Memovox lovers, please join in! I will start with my old trust worthy Beater; The JLC Memovox Compressor! Best Memo wishes Bl...
Looks like you need company
Hi looks like you need company - here's mine I'm surprised I'm the first to follow on! Cheers JML...
Ah, the Cal 914! :)
A very beautiful and interesting Memo! Manual movement and with crystal case back. Yes, JML – I always like company! What fun would a forum be without it? Thanks for joining and showing your beautiful Memo! Best Blomman
Thanks
Hi thanks. What I really like is that it would now be considered quite small. Though it fits my wrist perfectly. Also it fits its movement perfectly. I'm also constantantly surprised at how black dial and ostrich strap work together. But then I do like an...
Did someone ring?
Here's mine. By the way, Blomman, I love your "Beater." respo This message has been edited by respo on 2010-07-13 14:56:45...
TTP 65 Paris edition! :)
Yes, Resop – I did ring, and you answered! Good to see your “Perfect Memo”! Have you found your perfect Reverso yet? Best Blomman
Still working on that...
...the perfect Reverso remains elusive, unless I just go ahead and get the Grande GMT, which may be THE ONE. We'll see in 2011. Thanks for recalling that I did find my perfect Memo. Best, respo
before waiting for 2011 piece...
... you should seriously consider in getting Grande GMT first, look forward to seeing you joining our club by the way, as Blomman said, i also like your "perfect Memo". stefan
Re:
What we really need is for JLC to make us a reverso memovox! Until then, I can vouch that a rotation of the grande GMT and the cal 914 is a happy combo! Brian CK
Here is mine
After a small drop and panic (nothing happened with the watch, movement etc. JLC is approved), here is: My AMVOX1 says: "Salud!" to all, Nilo...
AMVOX 1! :)
Salud, Nilo ! Good to hear that your new AMVOX I didn’t take any harm from the drop...! Stunning photo, I have to learn how to take this kind of photos! Best Blomman
Cal 914,AMVOX 1, TTP 68, TTP 65! :)
Wow, Pplater ! What a great collection of Black Memos! I think you and me are sharing the same obsession as our dear moderator! Best Blomman
Thanks for an already eye-opening thread. I can only sit and watch.
But enjoying all of your watches thoroughly. Ruckdee
Just sit back and relax, Ruckdee! :)
And enjoy the ride! It’s wonderful to see the great diversity of the Memovox line! Best Blomman
Very interesting…
So far the oldest from the 90thies and only black dials! Well, I don’t blame you – you all know in which basket I have put the most of my eggs… Thanks guys for joining in! Very homogeneous so far. I wonder if this thread will show how diverse the Memovox ...
Great Reveil
Hi Blomman Great Reveil - another great Memovox. Really like yours and the strap looks great. Have been sorely tempted by this model in the past. Cheers JML
Thanks, JML!
Yes, one of my favourite dress watches! This one was the one of open my eyes for Memos… Good or bad?! I don’t know, some times I wish they didn’t tempt me so much! Best Blomman
Yes indeed, Stefan! :)
Thank you! The numerals and hands are pure JLC DNA! One detail that is not that common on JLC’s are the bezel. The profile of the bezel is high but not very wide, a detail I really love on the Reviel! Best Blomman
Let's begin by the beginning...
My latest catch, which is chronologically an early model, the Ref E 851 ( This one was made in 1955 ). I couldn't resist... Best, Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-07-13 23:31:50...
I'm still on the hunt for a few ones...
Like a clean example of the Memovox with the roll lugs ( the first Memo ), your black Memo housing the Cal 914, a World Time Ref 3160, the infamous Polaris 65 ( the original, of course ), and a double signature, like a Gubelin, a Dunhill or a Cartier... B...
Ref 3159, Cal K814?
That one looks really nice, Manish! Is it a Ref 3159, Cal K814? Best Blomman
Actually, I believe that's a ref 3151 powered by a cal 489
The ref 3159 was produced immediately after the ref 3150 barrel-lug model and shares the came movement caliber and dial styles and back. All that changed was the lug type. Greg
I don’t recognise this one, Manish
Is it an early E 855, same calibre as your first? Best Blomman
Here are some additional pix of that model showing case details...
The case reference isn't marked internally, but appears the same as the E855..... just houses a cal 815 non-date instead of the cal 825 w/date. Warning - very old pictures taken when I had a poor camera:...
E 853?
Yes, Greg, almost the same case, just different lugs; compared to the E 855. Nice pics! Best, Nicolas
Good eye, Nicolas! I believe E853 is correct
From the front, both the E855 and E853 look the same, but from the side profile, the lug tips are a bit different. Good catch! Greg
E 851! :)
What a beauty, Nicolas! It looks to be in stunning condition, and the patina is to die for, Mocca-late! Huge congrats, my friend! Cal 489/1 inside? Great idée to start at the beginning! I did as well, I started with my first Memo, and from there it’s been...
Here you are...
Cal 489 inside. Will post a kind of photo essay quite soon. Best, my friend. Nicolas...
Stunning! :)
Imagine that the movement still looks that good after 55 years! Fascinating ! Best, my friend Blomman
Another one I kept under my sleeve for a good occasion...
Memovox Ref E 871 housing the Cal 916: Funky, yes, but not uninteresting... IMO. Best, Nicolas...
E 871 Cal 916! :)
You have very long sleeves, my friend! Maybe instead of Mr Vlad your name should be the Magician?! Maybe I will slide something out from under mine soon…?! Looking great! Congrats, again! Best Blomman
Well, Blomman, I still hide a few...
And among them, one I own for quite a year, now. I had to make some researches about it, and will post it in September. I'm quite sure you don't know this one. Well, the standard model, certainly, but not this version with some interesting History behind....
Finally, Stefan! :)
I was wondering why you holding them back..! Great to see your three Cal 916! Best Blomman
Mamma mia!
The round blue dial watch is amazing. Perhaps at the end of this month I may extend my collection of Jaeger-LeCoultre watches with a second vintage.
Master Reveil! :)
It qualifies very well, Goh! I already put mine in… Memovox, Reveil or Alarm… They are all Memos in my book! Best Blomman
well thanks Nico....
I keep my personal identity quiet... now everyone knows what i look like. Your safe is killing me
No, Baron…
…take it easy! I think some of the members have only just started… …and are holding back! So far only three Polaris for example… I hope this post will go on for a while! And if we are really lucky some of the vintage guys will join...
love to see this roll call finally arrived...
Blomman, many thanks for taking up this great initiative. hope to see more and more vintage and modern Memovoxs from others to join this call. for this roll call, among all my Memovoxs I have here, i picked these two to join the party. both are considered...
Cal 601 and IpsoVox! :)
Yes, Stefan – they are very rear! Congrats again! But please don’t hold back, let all your Memos join the Party! Best, my friend Blomman
E 875, Speed beat :)
Wonderful to see all these Memos all together! Here is the next one to join; E 875, Speed Beat Cal 916. With a beautiful discoloured dial, original blue. Best Blomman...
A conspiracy...That must be a conspiracy...
One of the rare Memox I don't have, yet... Best, Nicolas
I have to hunt it very seriously, Blomman.
There are 2 watches which cause me some issues, this Cal 914, and the bloody sister, the Memo 65. Each time I am at the poit to get them, they escape! Damn watches... Well, moon is out, time for night life! Best, Vlad..Dracul.
Ghost watches, my friend! :)
We all have some that hunts us in our dreamd… Best Blomman
Ah, another Cal 914! :)
Another beautiful Cal 914! No problem, Patrick – the party just started...! Best Blomman
NSA, small?! :)
It’s the biggest so far in this thread … Looks great - love the strap! Best Blomman
One more NSA
How about an Incursion ? BTW, get a bucket, GregB is on fire !!! some awesome shots there, what a collection (not my photo)...
The first Incursion! :)
I was wondering were they where hiding! Great photo, thanks Michael! Best Blomman
The Mother of all the Memos...
Another one which is in my wish list... Lovely and so special with these tubular lugs! Best, Nicolas
The lugs are great! :)
Actually they fill a purpose! The make the case “lift” from the wrist, so it is very comfortable to wear! + They are very nice looking! Best Blomman
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