With a design that screams the 1970’s, but Jaeger-LeCoultre quality backing everything up, this Memovox is going to make someone’s day. Model reference E 871.
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
Model E 871 was in production from 1970 to 1978, and this has a slightly later development of the movement. Given this we have picked a slightly later than mid point for this watch, but we may be one or two years out in our estimation in this case. Only 4,940 reference E 871 were made in the eight years of production, and some would have been the silver or blue dialed versions.
CONDITION
Jaeger-LeCoultre are known as the watchmakers watchmaker. It earned that name as it has made the base movements (ebauche) for brands including the big three of Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and Audemars Piguet among many, many others. This watch adds to that horological timeline, featuring the first full rotor automatic movement with an alarm technology. Normally the striker pin that the alarm hammer hits would prevent a rotor from turning, but in this design the pin is exactly central and goes through the rotor mount. All clever stuff, but when you look deeper the movement also has micrometer adjustment for fine tuning the timekeeping. The movement is a slightly modified caliber 916, renamed 917, and it was shared with one IWC model too. That central pin mount also allows the case back to screw down, aiding water resistance. The Memovox name indicates this has an alarm feature, so the crown at 2 is used to set and wind the alarm, and the crown at 4 manually winds the watch, sets the time and allows you to semi quick set the date. Then you get to the dial – with a real kick of orange on the inner bezel, with matching orange second hand, it is all original. There is some fading to the outer grey section, but it is even and barely noticeable with the naked eye. The TV style case is again incredibly 1970’s, but it is quite large and works well as a size today. Originally model E 871 was available with either a strap or a bracelet, but the case on this example doesn’t show any witness marks of the bracelet rubbing the rear of the lugs, so we presume this was always on a strap. The leather strap is new, and could be swapped for a different colour or material if preferred. The watch is signed on the dial, case, movement, and both crowns.
This watch will be supplied with our branded presentation box and our Certificate of Authenticity.
This watch has been checked against the Watch Register and has not been reported as lost, stolen or implicated in fraud, and a copy of that certificate will also be included.
Please see the HD video for more detail. All photos and videos are part of the description and are of the actual watch unless mentioned. We do not photoshop any pictures, and the images are copyright of birthyearwatches.com and should not be used without permission.
SIZE
Width with crown 40.4 mm
Width without crown 38.2 mm
Between lugs 20 mm
Lug to lug length 45.5 mm
Case Thickness 12.2 mm
All sizes are approximate. The watch is photographed on a wrist of 190mm/7.5 inches.
Included with this watch is a 3 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses. If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries. Please see our Worldwide Shipping information, or Contact Us. Payment can be made by most credit or debit cards, bank transfer or PayPal.
From 1st September 2021 we will be planting a tree for every watch we sell, working with the International Tree Foundation (Est 1922) to make this business positive on carbon. By buying anything pre owned you are effectively reusing what already exists, but this takes it further and makes us feel good.
