Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox

About this reference

Produced between approximately 1960 and 1970, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox reference E855 represents the first automatic alarm watch from the manufacture to feature a date complication. Collectors prioritize this reference for its caliber 825 bumper-automatic movement, which utilizes a hammer-based winding system and a distinct mechanical alarm struck against a pin welded to the case back. The 37mm stainless steel case is larger than its predecessors, offering a modern profile with a screw-down back and dual signed crowns. Dial variations include silvered, black, and "Ebony" finishes, often featuring applied hour markers and a rotating inner alarm disc. On the secondary market, stainless steel examples typically trade between $3,500 and $7,000 depending on condition and dial rarity. A notable production variant is the "Lapidus" dial, characterized by a textured, geometric pattern that commands a premium over standard sunburst or matte configurations.