Jaeger-LeCoultre Reawakens its Alarm Watch Legacy With New Master Control Memovox Models

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Jaeger-LeCoultre has released two next-generation Master Control Memovox alarm watches, carrying on its mid-20th-century legacy in the audible watchmaking specialty.

The Master Control Memovox (US$11,600) and Master Control Memovox Timer (US$15,600) are the newest members of the Memovox family, which dates back to 1950, when post-war watchmakers strived to develop more practical and useful functions for wristwatches. 

The new incarnations have been upgraded with the latest technology and functionality, while preserving the collection's retro vibe. "We just keep the spirit and the design of that period of time, but we improved the finishes, the performance of the movement, and we invented a new function, so it's a very up-to-date collection that has a vintage touch," says Stephane Belmont the brand's patrimony director.

And for the first time, you can see the movement's tiny trebuchet hammers striking the alarm gong through a sapphire crystal case back. This required a complete redesign of the striking mechanism, with the gong attached to the outer rim of the movement as opposed to the center. To provide an unobstructed view of the works, it was fitted with an open-worked pink gold rotor, decorated with Côtes de Genève striping to match the fine finishing on the movement plates. The charming "school bell" sound, for which Memovox is known, has been preserved and even improved upon with a less metallic tone, thanks to the new crystal case back. 

"I always call the Memovox our first smart mechanical watch," Belmont says. "It's a function that is very close to what the smart watches do—it's something you can use for a reminder."

Belmont explains that the first Memovox was created by miniaturizing table alarm clocks that the brand started producing in the 1920s. By 1955, he says, alarm wristwatches had undergone something of a boom with several manufacturers producing them. Today, only a handful still do. 

 "When they designed the first alarm watch, the main challenge was to have a sound that was powerful enough to hear through the case. Also, you need an independent supply of energy that will not influence the precision of the watch. In terms of technicity, it was quite challenging. Every watch that emits a sound—alarm, minute repeater, et cetera—is always a challenge that goes well above watchmaking."

Endowed with its updated movement, the Master Control Memovox with date display echoes the uncluttered elegance of the original with its silvery sunray-brushed dial appointed with retro, elongated-triangular applied indexes, Dauphine hands, and a blued seconds hand.

Limited to 250 pieces, the Master Control Memovox Timer introduces a new countdown timing function that allows you to set an alarm to ring after a set number of hours has passed. 

Both Memovox models are presented in the new 40-mm Master Control steel case, distinguished by its sloping bezel, dynamically curved lugs, and mix of polished and satin-brushed surfaces. 

"To us it's not a vintage collection, it's just a classic collection with roots coming from the 1940s and '50s that remains in our core range," Belmont says. She adds that people are looking for "something with the roots but is still up to date with the best performing movements. You also have the right size for the current time and also the level of finishing that keeps it from being old fashioned."