Hands On with the Jaeger LeCoultre Memovox Boutique Edition model from the brand’s highly praised Master Collection.
When we think about the most useful complication in traditional watchmaking, chronograph and GMT functions will mostly be the first ones to come to our minds. However, there are many other useful complications in the world of mechanical watches. One of those complications is the alarm function.
No doubt a great majority (including myself) wake up in the morning with an alarm. Some of us use the alarm feature of our phones and some of us benefit from quartz desk clocks. But hey, there is a third way: A Mechanical Wristwatch!
Wouldn’t it be nice to wake up with the alarm of our most precious watch in the morning..? Especially if it was doing it all mechanically...
If you are in to such a thing like that, there are brands that can help you. Eterna, for example, which was the manufacturer of the first mechanical watch with alarm function, or Vulcain, which offers many alternatives in this segment. But the model we have here is the Memovox model from one of the most important most important brands of watchmaking: Jaeger LeCoultre.
Jaeger LeCoultre introduced its Master Memovox Boutique Edition, which tributes to the 60th year of the first Memovox model, earlier this year and it the model was highly admired by the watch enthusiasts. Right upon the arrival of the model to the brand’s beautiful boutique here in Istanbul, we got there in a heartbeat.
The model is offered in a stainless steel case measuring 40mm in diameter and 7.4mmin height. The case bears great resemblance with the 1970s Memovox model “Snowdrop” and it water resistant to 50 meters.
The dial of the new model is designed with two discs are separated by a 15 minute section and a scale with an indicator for the alarm function. We think it is safe to say that the most striking part of the timepiece is its blue dial. All indices and hands are applied with SuperLuminova phosphorus material. The date display is located at 3 o’clock position with a black font over white background date disk.
The model is powered by the brand’s in-house Caliber Ref. 956. Mostly similar to the original models movement Caliber Ref. 916, the new model’s movement is upgraded with some technical and functional features such as quick set date.
The characteristic alarm tone of the Memovox collection is immediately noticeable. This tone, obtained with a hammer that hits on a metal part in the caseback, is known as the symbol detail of the collection.
The model is offered on a well-matched blue stitching textile strap and a stainless steel folding buckle. The harmony of the strap with the watch is perfect; we can’t stop thinking how good would it be if there was a metal bracelet option.
Jaeger LeCoultre Master Memovox Boutique Edition is limited to 500 units only with a MSRP of $ 10,800 excluding taxes (US list). Jaeger LeCoultre Istanbul Boutique has one sample and it is waiting for its lucky owner.
