Vintage LeCoultre Memovox Parking Meter Alarm Gold Fill Ref. 3026 K814 Certified

The first Jaeger-LeCoultre alarm watches were introduced late in 1950 and used the brand, "Wrist Alarm". Shortly thereafter, the company introduced the "Memovox" brand, and this has continued since then. Intended to compete with the 1949 Vulcain Cricket alarm watch, the first Memovox models were manually-wound. 

One innovation from Jaeger-LeCoultre was the separation of the power reserve for the timekeeping and alarm functions. The Memovox movements have always had a separate mainspring for the alarm. In hand-wound Memovox models, the alarm spring is wound using the upper (2:00) crown, which also sets the 12-hour alarm disc and activates the alarm. 

Jaeger-LeCoultre's Calibre 489 was quite successful, but the company quickly began work on a successor. A short run of less than 2,000 Calibre 601 models was followed by the 1953 introduction of Calibre 814, which featured a date display and was much improved for servicing and reliability. Jaeger-LeCoultre also introduced shock protection to these movements, resulting in the Parachoc-equipped Calibre P489 and the Parachoc or Kif-equipped P814 and K814. 

Memovox watches were also sold by Cartier, Gubelin (called "Ipsovox"), and Van Cleef & Arpels. Until 1980, all Jaeger-LeCoultre models, including the Memovox, were sold as "LeCoultre", and many cases were locally produced as well. In North America, Vacheron Constantin LeCoultre, a subsidiary of Longines-Wittnauer, handled final assembly and distribution, so some differ in case and dial detailing. 

The Memovox’s alarm sounds like the ringing of an old telephone. The volume isn’t earsplitting on the wrist, where it unobtrusively reminds its wearer of an upcoming appointment. But when this watch is placed on a bedside table, the tabletop becomes an additional resonating body and the alarm rings loudly enough to summon even the most somnolent sleepyhead from dreamland. An alarm ranks among the most practical horological complications. And the Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox, along with the Vulcain Cricket, is one of the best-known models with this audible feature.

With a name that can be translated as “the voice of memory,” the Memovox first rang in 1950. The collection has undergone numerous expansions over the years. For example, a model with time zones printed on its dial debuted in 1958, followed by a variation that reminded its owner to grab a few quarters and run out to feed the parking meter. The rarest version is the Memovox Parking included a blue "parking" symbol and was designed to remind the owner to feed the parking meter.

This is a beauty LeCoultre. It is very rare to find a watch this old in this condition.. Defiantly a collector watch. Please look at all the pictures, as they are part of the description.  This is a highly collectible watch. Very few left with this rare movement. Sure, to increase in value overtime, and a great addition to your collection. The condition of the watch is the same as it appears in the photos.   The watch is working and is part of our new Certified Pre-Owned CPO Program.  Contact me if you have any questions first.