The movement, produced in a limited quantity of only 2000 pieces, served as the transitional mechanism between the 489 and 814. All examples I have ever seen, including two previous examples I have owned, appear to have been produced in 1952.
Besides the rare caliber, other peculiarities of the watch is that it uses a small pointed hand to indicate the alarm rather than a revolving center disk. And the case is 80 micron gold plated done in the design of an American market Memovox and made by the American company Wadsworth (though stamped with Swiss markings), despite the JLC branding and the appearance that the import code has been removed at the factory. These watches are true anomalies.
It is in very pleasing original condition. The dial is untouched original and essentially mint with no fading or toning. All hands are original and just short of mint. The top crown has been previously replaced, and that is the only replacement part on the watch.
The case is very nice except for marks on the lugs that look like they occurred from being placed in a vise. If it wasn't for those marks the case would be better than near mint.
A pleasing original example of a rare JLC that has spent most of its life stored away.
Our watchmaker has freshly serviced the watch. Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. warranty on the movement and its function, a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate.
- Manufacturer: LeCoultre
- Country of origin: Switzerland, made for the U.S. market
- Serial no.: 744,790
- Year built: c. 1952
- Model: "Memovox"
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Alarm (Reveil), Sweep Seconds
- Designed for: Men
- Case material: Gold-plated
- Case markings (outside): Memovox
- Case markings (inside): LeCoultre Co. , Swiss, Plaque or L 80 Microns, Wadsworth, 530285
- Case condition: The case is very nice except for marks on the lugs that look like they occured from being placed in a vise. If it wasn't for those marks the case would be better than near mint.
- Dimensions: 32mm diameter (excluding crowns), 37mm long lug tip-to-tip
- Dial: Two-tone silver with gold center, gold dart and luminous Arabic indexes, outer minute/second track, original and 98% mint
- Hands: Original gold alpha hour and minute hands and red-tipped gold alarm hand, gold sweep seconds hand
- Movement type: Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 601, rhodium-plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, self-compensating flat balance spring
- Movement markings: Jaeger-LeCoultre, Swiss, 601
- Jewels: 17 rubies
- Band: Crocodile, fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn
- Width between lugs: 18mm
- Crystal: Acrylic, excellent condition
- Serviced: Yes, cleaned and oiled.
- Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts.
- Warranty: 1-year warranty. Please email [email protected] for details.
- Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
- Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee
