Jaeger-LeCoultre

amanico
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The special series.

Here is the window display dedicated to the rare birds.

1/ The " Jubilé " watches:

In 1958, Jaeger-LeCoultre released a small collection of " Jubilé " watches, to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the brand birth.

It was the opportunity to see some marvels such as the Geophysic, the Memovox World Time, the Memovox Parking, the ref 2233, a lady watch, and a very few others, among those, a very nice Memovox in Rose Gold, the Ref 3159.

- The Ref 3159 was made between 1958 and 1961 in 2198 pieces.

But the rose gold is a very rare bird, as only 100 were released at that time.

It is a 35 mm watch, housing the Cal 489, or the K 814 as it seems that both of these movements were used for this reference.

It has a snap case back.





Another very elegant and sober Memovox, for sure.

- The Ref 3161 so called " Parking " is very close to the 3159, as the cases for both of these references, are similar.

The Parking was born in 1958, and in the catalogue till 1964 / 1965.

I personally love a lot this watch, which has humour, and can be helpful at the same time, to avoid parking fines ( JLC communicated on this virtue, by the way ).





Here is a different version of the Parking, using the E 858 case.

This model is from 1963, and has, at its reference suggests it, a screwed case back, protecting the Cal K 814:





As you can see, the only difference compared to a normal E 858 is about the alarm disk, which receives the " parkmeter decoration ".

2/ An awesome E 855.

This reference is not rare, as we previously said, but in this case, this is the very first time I saw one like this in the real life.

This is a 14 kt Gold case, which comes with a screwed stainless steel case back.

But wait to see the spectacular dial!

Brown reflects, red alarm ring, gold applied indexes, gold baton hands...Even a no colored gold fan like me can instanteanously fall in love with such an envouting BEAST!





This proper watch was made in 1969, but only God knows how many were made.

I guess a very few numbers!

3/ The Reference E 11 005.

To say all, it was one of my favourite watch of this exhibition, with the borwn E 855 and the E 858.

This reference was made between 1967 and 1968, and came in a very short batch of 500 pieces in stainless steel, and 150 pieces in 80 microns gold plated case.

The case back is screwed, of course, but it has an unusual shape, very flat, and not finished like the other " E References ".

I will try to take some pictures later, to show you.

The E 11005 gives me the opportunity to say a few words on the movement, which we didn't see till now, with the watches of this exhibition, the Cal 911. ( The 2 pictures below are to be credited to our friend Greg B )

Back side:



Dial side:



The Cal 911 is a movement providing a date and an alarm function.

It was in production from 1964 to 1979, and 56 000 were made.

It is a manual wind movement, which has the particularity to beat at 19 800 alternances per hour, while the Cal 489, 814, 815, 825 beat at 18 000 vph, and the Cal 916 at 28 800 vph.

Let's say it straight, I am totally mad about the dial of this Memovox.

I'm not very keen on date windows, but here, it is superbly integrated, and doesn't ruin the symmetry and the balance of the dial, with the 6 / 9/ 12 applied numbers.

The " Ebene " applied indexes bring a touch of class on this watch, and the baton hands are another superb detail.

The case is timeless too, with its sober straight lugs.

A pure marvel, declined in SS or 80 microns gold plated, for those who prefer a warmer contrast.









4/ To end with these special watches, let's mention a mysterious one, Colonel Ayersman's Memovox ref 3154.

This watch, from 1952, was given to him by the Officers of the 334 Fighter Interceptor Squadron ( US Air Force ), as he shot 2 MIG- 15.





I'm sure that the owner of this very special watch will tell us more about it.

Hoping that this post will help you to feed your horological dreams...

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