The post-war American market produced some of the most unusual objects in LeCoultre's history. Rather than simply importing finished Swiss watches, movements were brought into the United States and paired with domestically produced cases, allowing the American operation considerable freedom in design. This Memovox money clip is a very cool product of that period. Instead of placing the alarm mechanism on the wrist, LeCoultre incorporated it into a functional pocket accessory, complete with a conventional time display and the mechanically operated alarm that had become one of the manufacture's signatures.

Dating to the mid-1950s, the piece combines a 10K gold-filled case and sprung money clip manufactured by Schwab & Wuischpard with a manually wound LeCoultre calibre 814. The dial is unmistakably Memovox, with a rotating central alarm disc surrounded by Arabic numerals, arrowhead markers and dauphine hands, while two unusually discreet crowns independently control the timekeeping and alarm functions. Signed LeCoultre rather than Jaeger-LeCoultre in keeping with its American-market origins, it represents a fascinating fusion of serious mechanical watchmaking and the more experimental accessories produced for the United States during the period.

Item is in overall very good condition. The gold-filled case shows scratches and some more noticeable nicks, as expected of an item of this vintage. The stamps, including the maker’s mark, remain well defined. The dial shows a number of marks and scratches. The applied hour markers show oxidation and signs of degradation. The luminous material on the outer dial is discoloured and damaged. The inner dial shows scratches and has later-applied luminous material on the alarm indicator. The central hands are tarnished and have lost their luminous material.

Please note: The watch ticks at time of cataloging, but timekeeping is poor and a service is recommended.