Jaeger-LeCoultre

Jaeger-LeCoultre is a prestigious Swiss manufacturer of luxury watches and clocks, founded by Antoine LeCoultre in 1833 when he established his namesake workshop in Le Sentier, Switzerland. A master craftsman, Antoine LeCoultre soon developed groundbreaking precision tools that allowed him to create miniature components for watches—an innovation that set the brand apart from the very beginning. Revered by watch insiders, Jaeger-LeCoultre is admired for its technical mastery and dedication to advanced in-house watchmaking.

From the outset, LeCoultre has continually pushed the boundaries of creativity and invention. Beginning with the development of cutting-edge tools for precision watchmaking, the brand has amassed over 180 years of horological innovation. With hundreds of patents and inventions and more than 1,200 calibers created, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s contributions to watchmaking include the smallest mechanical movement ever made, the most complicated wristwatch, and a near-perpetual motion system—achievements that have earned the brand legendary status in the world of haute horology.

One of the brand’s most iconic breakthroughs came in 1847, when Antoine LeCoultre invented the revolutionary crown winding system, eliminating the need for a key to wind and set the time. A single crown could now perform both tasks—an innovation still used in almost all mechanical watches today. In recognition of this milestone, LeCoultre was awarded a gold medal at the Universal Exhibition in London in 1851 for the keyless system.

In 1903, French watchmaker Edmond Jaeger challenged Swiss manufacturers to produce ultra-thin movements based on his designs. LeCoultre rose to the occasion, creating the world’s thinnest movement at the time. This collaboration eventually led to the official founding of Jaeger-LeCoultre three decades later.

Since 1833, LeCoultre has been crafting state-of-the-art mechanical movements and timepieces for both men and women. Over the decades, Jaeger-LeCoultre has supplied movements to horological giants such as Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Vacheron Constantin. Among its most iconic creations is the Reverso, considered one of the greatest wristwatches of the 20th century.

"These most exceptional watches and clocks are tribute to the skill of the word-famed watchmakers of LeCoultre"

Jaeger-LeCoultre 

Memovox Wrist Alarm

Wristwatch

“The Memovox is an excellent example of the mastery with which the technicians at Jaeger-LeCoultre adapted to the demands of modern life. A movement of the highest precision offers you the security and excellence you expect from Jaeger-LeCoultre. The ingenious alarm watch, brilliantly introduced in 1950...”

If you're in the market for a pre-owned vintage timepiece, a Jaeger-LeCoultre is a superb choice. Not only does it represent a fine piece of horological history, but it also stands as a solid investment from one of the most respected names in luxury watches.

Featured here is a rare and elegant vintage LeCoultre Memovox Wrist Alarm, made for the American market and closely resembling reference 3155. Dated to around 1950 based on the serial number, this is one of the earliest mechanical wristwatches to feature an alarm function.

This timepiece is powered by the original LeCoultre Caliber 489/1, a manual-wind mechanical movement featuring 17 jewels, a sweep second hand, and a mechanical alarm. It operates at 18,000 vibrations per hour (vph) and boasts a 54-hour power reserve. Swiss-made, of course. Serviced on March, 2025. 

Housed in a refined 32mm round case made of 10K yellow gold-filled metal, it features a sophisticated fancy lug design with a cabochon crowns. The alarm mechanism is fully functional, and the rotating inner alarm disc allows for precise alarm setting. 

"...The alarm is set via a rotating disc with an index, allowing for highly accurate time setting while keeping the dial clean and legible. At 2 o’clock the crown performs three functions: setting the alarm, winding it, and stopping it. It also enables regulation of the alarm duration. The crown at 4 o’clock is used for setting the time and winding the movement on non-automatic models."

The watch boasts a handsome two-tone butler-finish dial with a beautiful patina that speaks to its age. It features printed black Arabic numerals, applied gold hour markers, minute and second tracks, and matching gold hands. The alarm disc is subtly integrated at the center, and the dial is signed “LeCoultre” at the top.

Completing the look is a brand-new black two-piece leather strap that enhances its classic style.

This piece is in excellent pre-owned condition and would make a stunning addition to any vintage collection— a true collector’s gem from the golden era of mechanical watchmaking.

This wristwatch is in good pre-owned condition and would make a fantastic addition to any vintage collection.

Thank you for considering this timepiece. Feel free to reach out with any questions or respectful offers!

Vintage watches are traditionally smaller than today's watches. Men’s watches typically measure between 29-36mm wide (some larger, some smaller) excluding the crown. In the listing details we typically try to do our best to list all pertinent dimensions of a watch. If you don't see it, or we failed to do so, please reach out to us. Women’s watches from the 1900s-1970s were also much smaller than today's offerings. Please also feel free to ask any questions you have concerning size. 

We prefer to take photographs outdoors when the weather allows. However, when shooting indoors, please note that we use lightboxes equipped with 360 LED bulbs, which can magnify any flaws that may be less noticeable to the naked eye. That said, we never use Photoshop to alter our images or remove blemishes. While we may adjust the lighting as needed, what you see is what you get, and we take pride in that.

The condition is pre-owned.  
The item may show some signs of cosmetic wear, but it is fully operational, and functions as intended.
Please take a moment to review the photos, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have. 

The item will be carefully packed for shipment.

Please view our other listings. 

Thank you for reading! 

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