Around the mid century, as lifestyle paces moved faster and faster, top Swiss firms needed a way to enhance the experiences of their now frequently traveling top clients and to help him better organize and govern his most precious possession - his time. The engineers at Jaeger-LeCoultre rose to the occasion by creating an alarm wristwatch in 1951.

The watches featured a fully mechanical alarm system. Jaeger-LeCoultre equipped these watches with significant inner alarm gearing and even an additional stem and crown, making elements of the second movement that worked seamlessly in conjunction with the normal timing portion. Then in 1956, Jaeger-LeCoultre launched, an automatic alarm, the first automatic alarm watch in history.

The large LeCoultre wristwatch showcased in today's offering is an example of one of these early automatic wrist alarm watches.

Besides being automatic alarm this very special and rare version features the names of important cities from around the globe grouped together by time zone and printed on the rotating bezel dial so the owner could see the exact time of any location in the world at just a glance.

We were fortunate to acquire the watch in such beautiful condition. Our photos couldn't do it justice.

The dial is absolutely stunning! It is original and untouched in mint condition. The inner world time dial is also mint, and the luminous on both the main dial and outer dial match perfectly, and we believe originated together. This gorgeous dial is about as nice as they come.

Measuring 38mm in diameter it is larger than a mens Datejust and close in size to a Rolex Sub or GMT.

It has a tropical case and is signed LeCoultre and in excellent condition showing only light wear. The back and retaining ring are not damaged as is most often the case with these watches because of their design and the difficulty of securing the ring.

One of our watchmakers has performed any needed servicing making it ready for immediate enjoyment. The movement is very clean and keeping very accurate time.

For the finishing touch it has been quipped with a Swiss leather strap.

Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function, a full-page 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 and in Jaeger-LeCoultre: A Guide for the Collector, pg. 113, by Zaf Basha, 2008.

• Manufacturer: Jaeger-LeCoultre
• Country of origin: Switzerland, made for the U.S. market
• Year built: c. later 1950's or early 1960's
• Model: "Memovox" World Time
• Functions: Hours, Minutes, Alarm (Reveil), Automatic, World Time, Sweep Seconds
• Designed for: Men
• Case material: 10K gold-filled and stainless steel
• Case markings (outside): 10K Gold Filled Bezel, Stainless Steel Back
• Case condition: Excellent with only light wear and no wear through of the gold. Not recently polished. The back and retaining ring are not damaged as is most often the case with these watches because of their design and the difficulty of securing the ring.
• Dimensions: 38mm wide (excluding crowns), 44mm long lug tip-to-tip
• Dial: Silver, two-piece, signed LeCoultre, spun silver inner revolving alarm insert featuring the names of important cities from around the globe grouped together by time zone, luminous hour dots, gold applied Arabic and dart indexes, luminous hour dots, original and untouched, mint condition
• Hands: Original, gold dauphines filled with luminous material
• Movement type: High grade caliber P815, signed LeCoultre, self-winding automatic, complete second alarm mechanism, rhodium plated, shock resistant, index regulator
• Jewels: 17 rubies
• Band: Swiss made, leather, fully stitched, padded, new. We also stock lizard and a variety of others straps in various prints, skins, and colors. Please ask us if you're interested.
• Width between lugs: 19mm
• Crystal type: Acrylic, excellent condition condition
• Servicing: One of our watchmakers has performed any needed servicing making it ready for immediate enjoyment. 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.
• Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. Keeping very accurate time.
• Warranty: 1-year C.O.T. international warranty.
• 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

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