Jaeger LeCoultre Memovox "Jumbo" 10 carat gold filled automatic bumper wrist alarm watch in great mechanical and cosmetic condition, manufactured in 1965. All Memovox timepieces attract great interest when I list one for sale but the automatic version of the wrist alarm with a larger case than normally found from this period, colloquially called the "Jumbo", is rare and consequently highly sought after and collectable. This model has a lovely two tone dial and an attractive classic case. The cal. K815 movement is running strongly, keeping time, with the alarm function working perfectly. The watch is signed five times on the dial, case, movement and two crowns. As with all of my watches, authenticity is backed by a full money refund guarantee. I have been collecting vintage watches for over twenty five years and selling them as an enjoyable lifestyle occupation since 2003. I have consistently received excellent feedback and many repeat buyers. Customer satisfaction is very important to me so if you do have any problems please get in touch. I will always do my best to help. I often assist customers who ask for my help several years after they have purchased a watch from me; so once you have bought a watch, you will remain an important customer. You can email me at jackanpet123@gmail.com to ask any questions. Please scroll right down to see more photographs and details.
Dial: two tone finish in great condition having just been returned from professional restoration back to as it looked when new. The dial is signed “LeCoultre Memovox Automatic Swiss" with hours marked by gold coloured batons. The hands are in good shape and the crystal is clean and clear. Case: 10 carat gold filled , in very good condition, measuring approximately 38 mm across, excluding the matching signed crowns and 43 mm in overall length. The inside of the rear cover is signed "LeCoultre Co." and hallmarked as 10K gold filled. The case displays the expected light marks from careful use over the last fifty years or so but no signs of abuse, dents or scratches of any significance that I could see to pint out to you. Movement: high quality K815 17 jewelled automatic "bumper" movement, signed "Jaeger LeCoultre". The mechanism is running perfectly and keeping time. The watch can be hand wound and set by the lower crown and the alarm is wound and set by the upper crown. Both functions operate correctly. The bumper unit is an early automatic movement which was first seen in watches in the late 1940's, with many LeCoultre and Omega watches housing them up until the early 1950's. The bumper version of the Memovox continued until the late 1960's as until then Jaeger LeCoultre had not come up with a way of stopping a fully rotational rotor hitting the pin on the inside of the cover, against which the alarm mechanism hits to produce the clicking sound when the alarm is activated. The bumper mechanism rotates through a little over 300 degrees, hits a stop and then bounces back and forth with a hammer action. If you look at the photograph of the movement you will see the springs which cushion the impact of the hammer action and send the rotor back over to the other side of the movement. As with most automatic watch mechanisms (the Futurematic is one exception), the movement can be hand wound. It should be "kick started" when first used by manually winding the watch. Older automatics are not as efficient as modern day mechanisms so the watch may, need manual winding from time to time, depending on how much use and movement it receives when worn, in order to keep the power unit charged. Strap: lightly used genuine alligator calf strap, which fitted to the watch measures approximately 220 mm from buckle tip to last hole. This is a fabulous watch, manufactured by one of the most prestigious watchmakers in the world and in great condition. It is in fully working condition, highly collectable as well as suitable for wear. Do not miss the opportunity to buy this iconic vintage watch. Overseas buyers should bear in mind that import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or P&P charges. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility. You are advised to check with your country’s customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to purchase.
       
Jaeger LeCoultre Watch Co. History I am sometimes asked why some Jaeger LeCoultre watches are signed LeCoultre. This has much to do with the complex United States duty regulations that made it more cost effective to import Jaeger LeCoultre movements, dials, crowns and hands into the USA from Switzerland and for the cases to be manufactured in the States. In the 1950’s the Longines Wittnauer group was the distributor of LeCoultre watches and Vacheron & Constantin watches sold in North America. The Longines Wittnauer group did not manufacture Jaeger LeCoultre watches as some people mistakenly believe, the movements were produced in the Swiss Jaeger LeCoultre factory at Le Sentier and were identical in every way to movements distributed within Europe other than the LeCoultre markings on the watch. The cases were manufactured under licence in the United States and were marked "Cased and Timed in the USA by LeCoultre". In approximately 1985 the brand name "Jaeger LeCoultre" was adopted worldwide. Some people believe that because LeCoultre movements are signed "VXN" on the bridge (denoting Vacheron & Constantin), they were manufactured by Vacheron & Constantin. This is incorrect. Jaeger LeCoultre supplied movements to Vacheron & Constantin, which were used in their watches but not vice versa. The only collaboration that ever took place between these two prestigious watchmakers was the "Galaxy" diamond dial model. The Galaxy was marketed by both companies; with the case marked "Vacheron & Constantin - LeCoultre Inc." and the dial signed "LeCoultre". A more comprehensive explanation of these often mis-understood issues is provided in the excellent text book “Jaeger LeCoultre a Guide for the Collector” by Zaf Basha. For those who are interested in the history of famous watchmakers, the Jaeger LeCoultre watch company is one of the oldest Swiss watchmakers. Antoine LeCoultre opened a small factory in Le Sentier in 1833 where current factory remains. LeCoultre quickly built a reputation for quality and precision, so much so that he became the leading supplier of movements to the watch making industry in Switzerland. In 1925 Antoine’s grandson, David, merged the company with that of Edmond Jaeger, which is when the current day company, Jaeger LeCoultre came into existence. It is one of the few Swiss companies still producing its own movements, cases, dials and bracelets. This gives the company total control over the quality and precision of its watches and is a contributory factor for it being one of the small number of elite watchmakers with a world wide reputation for quality and precision. Jaeger LeCoultre has been one of the most innovative watchmakers in the world, having produced a number of revolutionary inventions including the Atmos “Perpetual Motion Clock” (which operates by changes in air pressure) and the creation of the world’s smallest mechanical movement which weighed less than one gram.
POSTAGE AND PAYMENT DETAILS 3/2014 Postage within the I can provide free postage in accordance with the eBay’s requirements for good business sellers but your package will not be insured against loss or damage and it will take up to five working days to arrive. If you choose the recommended method of postage, Royal Mail Special Delivery, this will insure your watch against loss or damage in transit. It also guarantees next working day delivery. The charge is £7.95 Postage Overseas. If you are purchasing an item at a price above £500 and pay using Paypal I must observe their rules by sending the watch by courier if Royal Mail do not provide a full tracking and signed for service for parcels sent to your country. In order to receive Paypal’s protection service, for which I pay a fee, they require me to send the watch to you with full on line tracking and a signature on delivery. The cost of using the courier service is £55-£60 GBP to most countries but I will shoulder part of the cost and charge you just 34.95 GBP. If you wish me to send the watch to by Royal Mail International Signed For at a cost of 15.95 GBP and you accept that insurance will be limited to 500 GBP I can, at your request do so, if you pay by direct bank to bank transfer. ALL PACKAGES SENT TO Payment All buyers may pay using Paypal or bank to bank transfer. Overseas buyers: At my discretion I will accept other forms of payment but accept STERLING only. Please contact me if you wish to do this before the auction ends. Terms of I pack my watches very well to avoid damage but very occasionally a problem may occur due to rough treatment in transit or the use of scanning equipment by Customs or the postal services which can magnetise the watch mechanism. I warrant that the watch you purchase will, when you receive it, be as described in the listing. If there is a problem when you receive your purchase I provide a no quibble full refund option. Alternatively I will undertake any repairs that are necessary if the watch is damaged or if in any other way differs significantly from the description. If I have not stated that the watch has been serviced, you may wish to have this work done, particularly if you intend to wear the watch on a daily basis. On request, I can provide you with details of independent watchmakers to whom you can send your watch for servicing. I provide comprehensive details of my watches, including very clear photographs taken with a high resolution macro lens which shows detail not visible to the naked eye. I also invite you to ask questions if there is anything else you need to know. Please take care to consider the dimensions of the watch case as if it is a gentlemans’ Art Deco rectangular vintage watch, they were made significantly smaller than contemporary watches. You are buying a used watch so there will be signs of use. Please do not expect quartz accuracy from a vintage watch. In the 1940’s/1950’s the accepted timekeeping tolerance for a new 17 jewel manual watch was within three minutes a day. All of my watches are professionally inspected and tested before sale and if they are not running smoothly and keeping reasonable time I have them serviced and/ or have any other work undertaken that is needed to ensure the watch is in running condition. However please bear in mind that a fault can develop unexpectedly at any time as with any used item so I am unable to provide any on-going warranty. Please also note that I provide no guarantee that my watches are waterproof. I would always strongly recommend keeping any vintage well away from moisture.
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