Jaeger-LeCoultre

Many of us here are drawn to both the Memovox’s and the black dialled JLC’s.

So what can be better then a black memovox?

 

Soon JLC will start to deliver a new black dialled memo – the Master Memovox International

 

And while we wait, I thought I should write a few lines about one of the precursors.

I know there has been a lot written about the Master Memovox before, but I thought that I should give it a try…

 

 

 

The Master Memovox;

Cal 914 manual wounded, 159 parts, SS on strap.

36 mm in diameter, 11 mm high. 

This is one of 1164 black dialled on strap (fact borrowed from Dje).

Produced during 1999-2003 (fact borrowed from Nicolas).

 

 

 

This was one of the first “modern” memovox from JLC with the new gong sound instead of the cricket sound.

Even if it’s a typical classic memovox, if you look closely it’s actually not that typical classic memovox.

 

 

So what’s different?

 

Well to start with, the movement; manual wounded memovox – most modern memovoxes are powered by automatic movements.

It’s a dress watch, so no rotating inner bezel.

An arced JLC logo instead the normal straight JLC logo.

The luminous hour dots have a red border as well as the alarm mark.

Typical sharp shape of the hands, but divided in a two tone colour.

The alarm hours are divided in to 4 per hour, vintage ones have 5.

Sound, lower in tone and in strength if you compare it with the divers.

Box – the box is actually more a bag then a box.

 

 

 

And then of course the open case back!

 

 

 

One thing that I realized when I read Dje’s post was that the positioning of the gong versus the hammer doesn’t seem to matter.

I wonder if the position affects the sound?

 

  

Photo borrowed from Dje (Dje, I hope you don’t mind!).

 

 

Soon my friends, soon JLC will start to deliver the Master Memovox International

 

Best

 

Blomman

That's cruel from you, as I am hunting one so badly...



A must have, IMO, as it is not only beautiful, but it also has this unique ( on a Memovox ) sapphire case back.

Will we again see a Manual Winding Memovox, too?

Best, and thanks for this superb post.

Nicolas

What a poor guy to do when he can’t get what he wants..?

It releases some of the itches but it’s not enough!

Soon I will have to pull the trigger on something while I wait for the memo international…!!!

 

Talking about cruel?

I think you of all people should not say anything…

Mr 666

 

Best, my friend

 

Blomman

Take a breathe, keep cool, you will have to fund the Memovox International, and maybe save a bit for some Vintage Beauties?

Like a Deep Sea Alarm, for example?

Did I say something?

Meee?

Sure?



Best,

666.

You are right, again!

That is what I should do…

But the itch really starting to get to me!

 

Best

 

Blomman

... thanks and well don again, Blomman.

this Master Memovox with modern look but housed with manual winding movement caught my eyes after i got my first first Memovox.

interesting, i was also thinking alarm watch should be enclosed with a sold case, otherwise it would be very hard to produce sufficient loud sound. i would love to see this in metal and also keen to listen his alarm to see any and how of difference than others.

anyway, nice post again!

stefan

... you meant your Memovox International is coming soon?

stefan

Every memo has a slightly different sound from the others.

That is one of the beauties of the memos imo.

 

Hope you will have the possibility to listen too many of them on your trip!

 

One day I would love to here (and have) them all

 

Best

 

Blomman

I'm interested about some details...

Looks very nice!

Best, and TIA.

Nicolas

Hello Blomman,

That splash of red on a black dial looks awesome!  Thanks for sharing the pics of the MasterMemovox.

-MW



This message has been edited by DRMW on 2010-04-10 13:06:22

Wish you were right!

I would already have it in my collection!



Best,

Nicolas

No message body

No message body

Yes, the red details are great!

They are even more legible IRL then on the photos.

Almost like it’s a red glow around the inside of the bezel

 

Best

 

Blomman

Hello Blomman,

have you considered a black strap with red deviated stitching to go with this bad boy?  I think it would be even cooler! 

-MW

And I agree with you that it would probably be even cooler!

But I am still waiting for some straps I ordered some time ago, if they turnout OK…

 

One thing that makes me hesitate is that it’s a small watch and narrow strap.

Only 18mm strap, maybe the red stitches will put it over the edge?

 

Best

 

Blomman

And narrow strap...

Best,

Nicolas

I wouldn't expect it, but there's something warm about the brown strap setting off the black/white dial.  I think JLC made a nice design choice when showing them this way.

By the way, your black/red Memo is very cool, but quite dressy.  Perhaps you don't want to get too sporty with the strap.  Best, Ken in NYC

That one looks great – I will have too look into that one now when spring is here!

Time to change clothes on your watches

 

Best

 

Blomman

Now I have yet another piece that attracts my desire - this is the first time I've seen it. Truly lovely, thanks for sharing.

--Sancerre

Yes, this is imo a very attractive piece

Especially if you are into memovoxes.

 

The only downside with this one, I think is the size…

36mm is pretty small if you are used to the divers memos 42mm.

 

Best

 

Blomman

Great post

I'm intrigued by the packaging - seems different to other JLCs of the era - was under the impression in was a big blue box in a blue box!

Was also interested by comment about gong - mine seems the alternate way round. Which is the definitive installation with memovox on the back by the crowns or away I'd be interested to know the way they left the factory.

Anyway here a dodgy shot of mine

Cheers

JML

It seams that both our watches have the same positioning of the gong.

Dje's, yours, mine...

 

 

I really like the brown strap – that is similar to how JLC displayed the watch from the beginning.

Black dial with brown croc starp.

 

Thanks for sharing!

 

Best

 

Blomman

Very interesting thread - and it's fun to see the packaging. Here you see the display back of my black memovox. Amazing that it can be constructed in 2 different ways...

Best, Claus

It’s very strange – only explanation I can think of is that the gong is only mounted on the crystal and not on the movement.

Yours are 180 degrees opposite my gong.

That means your hammer hits the “loose” end of the gong while mine hits the “steady” side.

With loose I mean the end further from the mounting point.

 

This should affect the sound?

 

Thank you, Claus for sharing!

 

Best

 

Blomman

As far as I can see, the gong is mounted on the display glass.

It could be that 2 of the 4 watches have had some kind of service and had their display back put back 'the wrong way'?

Best,

Claus

When you think about it – the Memovox text are equally positioned according to the gong on all four.

 

I think maybe you have solved the mystery, Claus!

Thanks, now I can sleep safe tonight!

 

Best

 

Blomman

Do you still have your box to your watch?

It sounds like JML doesn’t have his.

 

Why I am asking is that I would like to get it confirmed – started to think about it, and I have never seen a box like mine before, fore any of the JLC’s.

If you have yours, it should be the same?

 

Remember when I found this one I thought it was odd, bought it second hand.

 

Best

 

Blomman

Beautiful, manual wind, and the only one with the see though caseback (right?).  I will add my voice to the interest in the packaging as well (the blue "bag") -- let's see more of that.

Thanks again for another great review.

respo