Brand: Jaeger-LeCoultre
Model: Memovox
Reference Number: 855
Year of Production: Circa 1960s
Case Material: 18kt yellow gold (hallmarked 0.750)
Caliber: Jaeger-LeCoultre 825, automatic with alarm function
Strap Material: Leather
Bracelet/Strap: Black leather strap
Clasp/Buckle: Original Jaeger-LeCoultre gold-plated buckle
Dimensions: 37 mm diameter, 13 mm thickness
Gender: Men's
Dial: Silvered with applied gold indices, date at 3 o’clock
Condition: Excellent, fully original
Signed: Case, movement, dial, crowns and buckle signed Jaeger-LeCoultre

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Ref. 855 is a quintessential example of mid-century Swiss innovation and design. Encased in a 37 mm 18kt yellow gold case, it houses the automatic Caliber 825, famed for its mechanical alarm complication—one of the most iconic technical achievements of the era. The silvered dial exudes elegance, enhanced by applied gold indices and a discreet date window at 3 o’clock. Twin JL-signed crowns allow for intuitive control of time and alarm functions. The snap-on case back, reinforced by a screw-down retaining ring, secures the movement with added durability. The watch is completed by a black leather strap and an original gold-plated Jaeger-LeCoultre buckle. Exceptionally well preserved and entirely original, this Memovox is a refined statement of functional luxury from one of Switzerland’s most revered maisons.

Case: the round case is crafted in solid 18kt yellow gold and features a snap-on case back secured by a screw-down retaining ring—an uncommon but practical construction that enhances the security of the movement without compromising the watch’s vintage charm. The case is fitted with two JL-signed crowns: one for setting the time and winding, the other dedicated to the alarm function. The domed plexiglass crystal adds a warm, period-correct aesthetic and subtly magnifies the dial details.

Dial: the silvered dial features a sunburst finish and applied gold indices, combining functionality with elegant mid-century design. It includes two concentric displays: a traditional hour and minute scale and an inner rotating disc used to set the alarm time. The date aperture at 3 o’clock is discreetly integrated into the design, and all printing remains crisp and legible, contributing to a highly balanced layout.

Movement: inside beats the Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 825, an automatic movement with a mechanical alarm complication. It features a distinctive “bumper” rotor system—an oscillating weight that pivots back and forth rather than completing full rotations—typical of early automatic designs. Introduced in the 1950s, the Caliber 825 represents a milestone in horological engineering, merging the practicality of automatic winding with the mechanical complexity of an alarm mechanism. Revered for its reliability and innovation, it remains a cornerstone in the Memovox legacy.