The large 38mm LeCoultre wristwatch showcased in today's offering is a very fine and all-original example of one of JLC's iconic early automatic Memovox watches, the E855.

It comes with its original papers showing a 1966 sale date, original instructions, and a modern box.

In vintage times, as lifestyle paces moved faster and faster, top Swiss firms needed a way to enhance the experiences of their now frequently travelling top clients. The renowned engineers at Jaeger-LeCoultre rose to the occasion by creating the company's famed Memovox alarm wristwatch in 1951.

This special wristwatch featured a fully mechanical alarm system that its owner could use to better organize and govern his most precious possession - his time. To pull off this technological marvel, Jaeger-LeCoultre equipped these watches with significant inner alarm gearing and even an additional stem and crown, making many elements of second movement that worked seamlessly in conjunction with the normal timing portion.

Not content with simply creating a wrist alarm, Jaeger-LeCoultre then produced the world's first automatic alarm model, a feat that significantly added to the mechanism's complexity.

This E855 has all of its original parts down to its original JLC bracelet and presents in beautiful condition. The untouched, original dial is in excellent condition. It has just slightly toned to a light sepia, giving it a true vintage look.

Its case presents as just short of perfect mint with light signs of previous polishing. Its unpolished bracelet is near mint with fairly light wear. It could be polished to look close to mint if you would like - please inquire.

Any needed servicing has been performed by a watchmaker making it ready for immediate enjoyment. It is running very strong and true, keeping time on par with a new JLC in our testing position.

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.

Note: Similar alarm watches can be found in Franco Cologni's book, Jaeger-LeCoultre: The Story of the Grande Maison, 2006, pg. 338

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 extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.

Movie References:

The 18K gold version of this same watch has been named the Steve McQueen Memovox, in reference to the fact that he wore this model as the lead character in the original "Thomas Crown Affair" movie. And Robert De Niro wore this steel version in "The Family."

• Manufacturer: Jaeger-LeCoultre
• Country of origin: Switzerland
• Date sold: Dec. 10, 1966
• Model: "Memovox"
• Functions: Hours, Minutes, Alarm, Automatic, Sweep Seconds, Date
• Designed for: Men
• Case material: Stainless steel
• Case markings (outside): Memovox, case number 1030967
• Case condition: Presents as just short of perfect mint with light signs of previous polishing.
• Dimensions: 38mm wide (excluding crowns), 43.5mm long lug tip-to-tip
• Dial: Silver, two-piece, soleil silver inner revolving alarm insert, steel applied baton indexes, luminous hour dots, original and untouched, excellent condition - it has just slightly toned to a light sepia, giving it a true vintage look
• Hands: Original, "dauphines" filled with luminous material
• Movement type: LeCoultre cal. K825, rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, fausses cotes decoration, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring, index regulator
• Jewels: 17 rubies
• Band: Correct, signed JLC, removeable, stainless steel, currently sized to fit a wrist up to approx. and it also has one extra link that can be installed for extra length. Unpolished near mint with fairly light wear. It could be polished to look close to mint if you would like - please inquire. We also stock lizard and a variety of other straps in various prints, skins, and colors. Please ask us if you're interested.
• Width between lugs: 18mm
• Crystal type: Acrylic, excellent condition
• Servicing: Any needed servicing has been performed by a watchmaker making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
• Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It is running very strong and true, keeping time on par with a new JLC in our testing position.
• Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details. 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 extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.
• Box/Papers: BOX - Modern JLC box; PAPERS - Original papers and instructions, Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity
• Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide

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