First ringing into the watchmaking scene in 1950 with one of the most practical horological complications to date, an alarm, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox has become a truly iconic piece from “the watchmaker’s watchmaker”. While not the very first alarm wristwatch, the Memovox was marketed as a watch for businessmen with meetings and such to attend. However, JLC soon expanded upon the collection to other use cases, like the Memovox Parking in 1958 and the Memovox Deep Sea in 1959, the first diver’s watch with an alarm. Offered here as an expansion of the collection as a dressier and more luxurious watch is the Master Memovox Alarm ref. Q1418430, launched in the 2000s. Featuring two winding crowns, one for its alarm function, and one for its normal winding and time-setting, the Q1418430’s 40mm stainless steel case is luxurious on the wrist while also being rather unique given its specialised use case. Fitted with a large silver dial with silver applied indices and Arabic numerals, the Memovox championed legibility and functionality in a world where watches were normally much smaller and traditional.

Watch is in overall excellent condition. The steel case shows light scratches and surface marks consistent with careful wear. The case back retains a well-defined medallion and crisp engravings, with light surface scuffs. The dial is in excellent condition overall, with a couple of small patches of discolouration on the inner alarm disc. It is fitted with a blue leather strap and a stainless steel Jaeger-LeCoultre pin buckle. Comes with the outer box, inner watch roll, warranty booklet, two additional booklets and the document holder. Please note that the document holder shows some flaking to its exterior finish.

A practical watch that leans on its history as a functional piece of horology, the Memovox lives on as a still-practical timepiece that blends luxury with understated design and everyday utility.