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In today’s world of silent, vibrating digital notifications, there’s a special kind of magic in a mechanical complication that was designed to make itself heard. The alarm wristwatch is, in our opinion, one of the most charming and soulful complications ever created, and this beautiful LeCoultre Wrist Alarm is a premier example from one of the greatest watchmaking manufactures of all time.
First introduced by the legendary house of Jaeger-LeCoultre in the early 1950s, the “Wrist Alarm” (later known as the Memovox, or “voice of memory”) was a marvel of miniaturization. It was a practical tool for the discerning mid-century professional—a mechanical personal assistant to remind him of a meeting, a train to catch, or a coin to feed the parking meter. The watch is distinguished by its twin crowns: one for winding the watch and setting the time, the other for winding the separate alarm spring and setting the desired hour on the central rotating disc. When the time comes, a tiny internal hammer strikes a post on the case back, creating a distinct and delightful mechanical buzz.
This particular example from the late 1950s is a beautifully preserved piece of that history. The handsome gold-filled case has classic, elegant lines, but it’s the dial that truly captivates. The silvered outer track features sharp, applied gold-tone hour markers, providing a perfect frame for the rotating alarm disc at its center. A blued-steel seconds hand adds a subtle flash of color, and classic dauphine hands complete the timeless mid-century aesthetic. Note the “LeCoultre” signature, these watches were cased and timed in the United States using pure Jaeger-LeCoultre movements to be sold on the American market, a fascinating piece of horological history in itself.
Having clearly been worn with care, this Wrist Alarm is in wonderful, honest condition. The dial is clean and beautifully preserved, a key factor for any vintage dress watch. The case shows gentle wear consistent with its age but retains its handsome presence.
