LeCoultre Memovox

I cannot remember a time in our 37 years in the business that we have had such a nice LeCoultre "Memovox" let alone two of them (see next listing). Both of these listings are what we call New/Old Stock or NOS. This designation means that these watches were never sold and that they remain in pristine, like new condition.

This "Memovox" has a 17 jewel movement and it is housed in a yellow gold filled case with a stainless steel back that measures 33mm in diameter (not including the crowns) by 40mm from lug to lug. Jaeger-LeCoultre is a Swiss luxury watch and clock manufacturer based in Le Sentier, Switzerland, that dates back to the first half of the nineteenth century, and was founded by Antoine LeCoultre in 1833. Their watches are some of the most sought after timepieces in the vintage market and there are many collectors whose attentions turn to the acquisition of a nice LeCoultre "Memovox" when a nice one appears. We just such a watch for you here, circa 1956.

The "Memovox" was first introduced by Jaeger-LeCoultre circa 1950/51 employing the manually wound Calibre 489. ... The name "Memovox" is a composite of two Latin word, Memor (remembering) and Vox (voice), meaning "the voice of remembering," an apt choice for a timepiece that "remembers the time". While we are quite jaded today by all the electronic devices that will tell us the time that was not so back in the 1950's when alarm watches were quite the innovative personal possession. Make sure you take a look at the "Zoom-In" photos to get the real feel of the beauty of this wonderful watch.

You set the inner alarm dial by pulling out the crown in the two o'clock position and rotating the crown counterclockwise. You would position the triangular indicator opposite the time that you wished to have the alarm sound. You would also wind the spring that causes this effect by using this same crown. The crown that winds the timekeeping mainspring is in the 4 o'clock position and it functions like any other manual wind watch. What unusual about this watch is this fabulous rippled marker configuration and the fact that it is in the best condition that you can possibly hope for. Don't forget all of our timepieces are warrantied for one year, for parts and labor, so that you may buy with confidence.

Price: $3950
Year: 1956
SKU: w2942
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Illinois 60 Hour Bunn Special

This Illinois 16 size open face Pocket Watch is simply spectacular. The 21 jewel movement is unsurpassed for this era and the "Bunn Special" iterations are some of the most desirable Railroad watches ever made! The case is yellow gold filled and is what is called a "Railroad" case with a non-pull out, bar over crown bow. These cases were designed to have a screw back & screw bezel thereby preventing dust and debris from entering the movement. The user would simply unscrew the front bezel to access the lever for setting, and, if he wanted to see the movement he would unscrew the back of the case. When you take a look at the\"Zoom-In" photos of the movement you can see that it is as clean as the proverbial whistle. Our master watchmakers have it timed to within an inch of its life and it is performing like new. Make sure you notice the interesting damaskeening pattern on the plates. Pride of workmanship is everywhere on this watch. The double sunk, porcelain dial is spectacular displaying red dot 5 minute indicators. 

The Illinois Watch Company had its beginnings in several other incarnations starting in December of 1870 at Springfield, Illinois. Thetwo founders were John Whitfield Bunn and John C. Adams. They started the Springfield Watch Company by attracting several other investors until they had amassed the princely sum of $100,000.00 which in those days was no small task. William B. Miller was to be their first secretary as they started production and a journey over what was to be a bumpy financial road. By 1877, after some difficulty, the company was reorganized and renamed the Illinois Springfield Watch Company and Erastus Newton Bates was choosen to lead them out of the financial difficulties they had encountered, but by July of 1878 they were once again faced with a re-organization and the named changed once again to the Illinois Watch Company, the final iteration that we know today. The chief executive was Jacob Bunn Sr. (1814-1897) and he was an all round entrepreneur with his fingers in finance, newspapers, land development, coal, banking, railroads, wholesale groceries, politics and even the manufacture of rope. The Bunn brothers, John & Jacob, were close friends with Abraham Lincoln and whose political career was financed and managed by them. The growth of the enterprise grew steadily from this point on under the management of the Bunn brothers. The fortunes of the company were starting to rise and by 1880 they had over 400 employees up from 260 in 1879, and ultimately 1200 at their apex. Production was up as well from 33,285 in 1879 to 47,065 by 1880. Just ten years later they could boast offices in New York, San Francisco, and Chicago. With the advent of the Railroad Commission, in 1893, Illinois became one of the leading forces behind the design and manufacture of the highly accurate railroad timepieces that became world standards for accuracy and reliability. If you are longing for a very accurate, high-grade, railroad watch then this may be the one for you. It is fully restored and warrantied for a year for parts and labor so that you may buy with confidence.

Price: $1750
SKU: PW1644
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Benrus Manual Wind

Benrus is often underestimated. They made really nice watches, as you can see here, but are often overlooked in favor of more expensive watches. We think this is a tragedy since Benrus watches are great looking and well-made. This particular Benrus has a yellow gold-filled round case, with stainless steel back measuring 30 mm in diameter (not including the crown) by 38 mm lug to lug. This nice case houses an even nicer 21 jewel movement that is in great condition. Now take a look at the dial, it is a silvered classic

that has Roman Numerals at the even chapters and pointed bar markers at the other positions with a small seconds bit at the 6 o'clock position.This particular Benrus is indicative of mid century American wristwatches. Yes, it was someone's prized possession and gently used over its lifetime and now our master watchmakers have restored it to like-new performance. It is running, winding, and keeping time like the day it arrived on these shores from Switzerland. This is a fully restored and warrantied watch that you can buy for very little dough. Remember all of our timepieces come with our famous one year warranty for parts and labor so that you may buy with confidence!

Price: $650
SKU: w2728
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Rolex Oyster Precision "Telephone Dial"

Rolex is, of course, a legendary brand and is one of the industry standards by which all other watches are measured. This particular Rolex is a real find since it still has its original dial with the best patina we've seen in a long time. The so called "Telephone Dial" pattern that emerges when the dial ages is so cool looking that we couldn't resist. When these dials were originally made radium was used for the lume in the skeletonized numerals and at the center of the hands. Over the years, as the dial oxidized, that little amount of protection from the lume was afforded to the tiny circles that you can now clearly see around each number. The dial has long since lost its ability to glow in the dark but the resulting effect is stunning. If you have ever lusted after an all original dial with perfect patina then this may be the one for you. Not only is the dial spectacular but the stainless steel case and 17 jewel movement are just as sweet. Make sure you take a look at the "Zoom-In" photos to see what I mean. Everything is spotless. Made circa 1951 it sports the Ref. 6082 movement that is running perfectly. Not only is it keeping time like new, it winds and sets "like butter"! It is quadruple signed on the case, dial, crown, and movement and it
sports the Rolex designation of "Oyster" and "Precision" on the dial. This is the real deal in a classic configuration....don't let it slip through your fingers! Remember all of out timepieces come with our famous one year warranty for parts and labor so that you may buy with confidence!

Price: $4250

SKU: w2898

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