Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Tribute to Deep Sea Alarm

Consider, if you will, the humble wrist alarm.

Of course, Vulcain might have been the first manufacturer to produce such a watch in the form of the Cricket, in 1947. But JLC took the concept and perfected it with the Memovox, released in 1950. Like the Cricket, the Memovox utilizes a unique twin-crown system — the top crown to wind and set the alarm, the bottom winding and setting the time. But JLC developed a different alarm mechanism: a hammer that strikes against a post that is directly welded to the case back. (The Cricket, by contrast, uses a resonant dual case back design.) In so doing, JLC set itself apart, and created one of the most iconic models of post-war watchmaking. 

Such an icon of horology lends itself very well to adaptation for many different purposes. In the late 1950s, brands such as Rolex and Blancpain released some of the first dedicated dive watches: the Submariner and the Fifty Fathoms, respectively. JLC followed suit with the Deep Sea Alarm. Released in 1959, the Deep Sea Alarm made waves as the first automatic wrist alarm intended to be worn underwater.

Rated to a depth of 200 meters, the Deep Sea Alarm was unmatched by any other manufacturer until Vulcain released the Cricket Nautical 1961. Two versions were released: one, for the European market, bore the full name of Jaeger-LeCoultre but lacked "Deep Sea Alarm" on the dial. The U.S. version, however, marketed under the name "LeCoultre", bore the model name "Deep Sea Alarm Automatic." 

Either way, the Deep Sea was rare, with only 950 pieces produced during a two-year production run. Existing examples that find their way on the vintage marketplace often suffer from signs of wear, particularly in the bezels. Many a collector dreams of finding one in excellent condition — at a Goodwill, perhaps — but those examples are few and far between.

Fortunately for us, JLC re-released the Deep Sea in 2011. The brand is no stranger to reissues, with its Reverso Tribute to 1931 or the Geophysic 1938  proving to be great successes among collectors of both modern watches as well as of vintage pieces. The Tribute to Deep Sea is no different: Though the proportions might be slightly bigger — 40.5mm in the Tribute versus 39 in the original — JLC otherwise clung closely to the look and feel of the original. Like the Deep Sea, the Tribute was released for the European and American markets, with the same differences in dial as the original. While 959 examples were released in the European market, only 359 were made of the American version, which we are fortunate to offer here.

Coupling superior vintage looks and a high-grade, in-house automatic movement — the Calibre 956 with 45 hours of power reserve — the Tribute to Deep Sea is a no-brainer for the lover of vintage-inspired modern pieces. Paired to a 'carbon-motif' black leather strap and accompanied by its factory goodies, this stunningly cool watch is ready for a life of adventure. 

Few watchmaking concerns are as storied as Jaeger-LeCoultre. Though the maison is not technically a member of the “Holy Trinity” of Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Vacheron Constantin, one could easily make the argument that it should be: After all, it was JLC that supplied movements to Patek from the beginning of the 20th century through the early 30s.

Founded in 1833 by Antoine LeCoultre in Le Sentier, Switzerland, the firm became the Jaeger-LeCoultre we know today when it merged with Parisian watchmaker Edmond Jaeger’s business in 1937. The two horological concerns collaborated on numerous projects before cementing their partnership, the most important of which was no doubt the Reverso. A sport watch with a reversible case, this ingenious timepiece was designed to protect the watch dial — when engaged in sport or other dangerous activities, the wearer would simply flip the case over, exposing its back to the world rather than the vulnerable crystal.

But the Reverso is far from the only significant timepiece brought to market by JLC: The firm also produced the world’s thinnest pocket watch in 1907, powered by the Caliber 145. In 1929, the maison released the Caliber 101, still today the smallest mechanical movement. (Queen Elizabeth II wore a Caliber 101-equipped wristwatch to her coronation in 1953.) And perhaps no other watchmaker is world-renowned for their production of a clock in the way that JLC is famous for the Atmos. Invented by Jean-Léon Reutter, it’s powered by minuscule changes in atmospheric pressure — Edmon Jaeger acquired the patent and licensed it beginning in 1936. The Atmos is still produced in numerous forms today, and remains the Swiss government’s foremost diplomatic gift.

From classic, near-century-old designs like the Reverso and the Atmos to modern über-complications such as the brilliant Master Gyrotourbillon, Jaeger-LeCoultre remains on the cutting edge of horological technology nearly two centuries after its founding.

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